by Powers, Jade
People were witnesses. The dog would have to do.
IT WAS TUESDAY MORNING. Minka hummed under her breath while she blow dried her hair. Sunday with Sven had been wonderful. No matter how much they talked, it seemed they always had more to say. She enjoyed being with him, and from every indication, he enjoyed being with her as well. The world was right.
The apartment was finally starting to feel like home. Minka brewed a cup of coffee and sat at her dining room table reading a regency romance. She’d stayed up a half hour past bedtime before putting it down. She slept well, only waking up once. In her sleeping state, she thought she’d heard a thump outside the door. It didn’t register as anything so she rolled over and went back to sleep.
The kitchen timer went off right in the middle of the ballroom dance. With a groan, Minka turned off the timer and slipped the book into her purse. Time for work.
Minka opened the door in a hurry and almost stepped on...the thing left for her to find. There was blood everywhere. Minka screamed. She recoiled back, away from the mess. It was scattered right in front of her door. There was no way to go around or over. Sven threw the door open across the way.
“Holy Crap,” Sven stared at the animal remains. He said, “Go back inside. Shut the door. I’m going to call the police. We’ll get this sorted.”
Minka nodded. She wanted Sven to hold her, but neither of them could cross the space between their doors without getting blood or fur on their shoes. Sven called the police. Minka called work.
She kept the door shut. Her hands shook. A good part of the shaking was anger. This was Joe’s doing. Minka was lucky to have Sven. After the police were through, Sven bagged the animal, scrubbed the door, the outer wall, and the concrete. At least Minka hadn’t yet put out a welcome mat. Sven stuffed the dirty towel in the bag with the dog. Poor thing.
Maybe he could talk Minka into going to the shooting range with him. Her ex had crossed the line to a whole new level of crazy. A few hours later, after handling the remains and showering the stench off, Sven knocked on Minka’s door.
Her hair, swept up for work, had come loose from the clip, small tendrils floating around her face. Even in distress, Minka carried herself with dignity. With a wan smile, she said, “I’m sorry. This isn’t the way I like to date.”
Sven hugged her and joked, “At least we’re well past the awkward stage. Would you like to come over to my place and watch television and eat homemade mac and cheese?”
“I’d love to,” Minka leaned her head on his shoulder, not ready to end the hug.
“May I offer a small suggestion?” Sven asked.
Something about the hesitation made Minka pause. Cautiously, she said, “Yes?”
“Go for comfort. If you have some old pajamas and a t-shirt, that would be the perfect attire for this dinner date. I’m going to wear my Snoopy boxers. I know, I’m living on the edge.” Sven squeezed and released Minka in time to see her smile.
“Do you really have Snoopy boxers?” Minka asked.
In a stage whisper, Sven said, “Why not come over and find out.”
Sven eased the horror of the day, and Minka found herself wishing that there could be more. Despite the logistical problems of dating someone about to leave. Despite the fear of another guy like Joe. Despite her own insecurities and need, Minka relished every moment with Sven, anticipated upcoming dates with joy. He brought her peace.
They cuddled on the couch, Sven in Snoopy boxers and a t-shirt. Minka wore pajama bottoms as requested and a tie-dye t-shirt. It was the best of her sleeping shirts. Had she been living on the edge, she would have grabbed the white t-shirt with the crabby smiley face who wanted coffee.
Minka fell asleep with Sven’s arms around her while they watched Hook. While she snuggled with the neighbor, her phone rang, going to voicemail.
Joe called from a Kent gas station, a number Minka wouldn’t know to block. If Minka or the police checked phone records, his call would be one more proof of innocence. He said, “Hey, Hon. I know I’ve screwed up bad. I heard what happened and I just wanted to call. It wasn’t me. I’m running a long-haul load in Seattle. You know I wouldn’t hurt an animal like that. You know me. Come back home. We’ll forget anything happened and go back to being happy.”
The message light signaled his intrusion, flashing on and off like a warning.
Chapter 13
MINKA STRUGGLED THROUGH work on Wednesday. She closed a spreadsheet without saving first, dropped a folder and scattered papers all over the floor, and lost a bill that she had paper clipped to the schedules. Her mind kept going back to that moment when she opened the door and witnessed evil.
“Are you okay?” Alice closed her email and swiveled to face Minka. She was a fastidious worker and answered every email and finished every task before turning to personal issues and gossip. Not that Minka ever got the feeling she was just gossip to Alice.
Alice loved animals. The day before, Minka had called in sick. She hadn’t spoken to Alice about the darkness visited upon her the day before. And to Minka there was no greater evil than to harm an innocent.
“Shall we go to break? I’m struggling through something.”
When they had settled at the table with refreshed coffees and snacks, a protein bar for Minka and a Twinkie for Alice, Alice said, “You’ve been off all day. What’s wrong?”
Minka played with the wrapper, fidgeting while she considered the right words, “Someone killed a dog and left it on my doorstep. What they did, it was like watching one of those horror movies, you know?”
“Oh my God! Did you call the police? Did they arrest Joe?” Alice bristled, her whole body quivering with the kind of energy that wants to run straight into battle for a loved one. The only problem was that Minka had no idea who to fight.
“That’s just it. Joe left a message from the road as soon as he found out. He said he was in Seattle when it happened. I called the number to the detective that gave me his card. He said they were still running down his alibi, but his company confirms that he ran a load from Corvino to Kent, dropping it after hours for unloading in the morning. His rig was there the whole time.
“No one else makes sense.” Alice stirred another spoonful of sugar into her coffee. By the time she was done, coffee tasted like a warm dessert.
“You didn’t see it, Alice. There was blood everywhere, on the walls, on my door. And that poor dog. I’m sick just talking about it. What kind of sick bastard does that?”
“What kind of sick bastard chokes someone and throws them against the wall for burning a damn tuna melt?” Alice clucked her tongue and shook her head. The weight of her disapproval bore down on Minka, but it couldn’t change her mind.
“I wish I’d never told you.”
Alice hardened her jaw and the flash in her eyes left no room for doubt. She pushed herself up, “You need to start looking at the world the way it is and not the way you want it to be. Your ex is a sick fuck, and the sooner you come to terms with it, the safer you’ll be.”
Her chair scraped away, and Alice picked up her cup of coffee, the only indication that she was upset was the slight tremor that sent the coffee sloshing up the sides of her cup. Minka’s hurt bubbled up. She hadn’t meant to offend Alice. Putting her hand on Alice’s sleeve, Minka said, “What if it’s Sven? What if I pick horrible men? What if there is something broken in me that crawls to darkness?”
Alice carefully returned her mug to the table. The chair creaked slightly when she settled down. Not that Alice was terribly overweight, but she was pleasantly plump as any sixty year old with a love for food would be. “Why do you think it was Sven?”
“The alibi. Joe was six hours away when it happened.”
“Just enough time to drive to Spokane, kill a stray, dump it, and drive back.”
“Sven’s eyes went cold when he saw the dog. After the police left, Sven cleaned it up, washed the blood off of everything. He doesn’t have family photos. He moves around a lot. He carries a gun a
nd had absolutely no qualms at all with pointing it at Joe,” Minka felt sick at heart as she listed all of the reasons. Her logical mind ticked off the check boxes while her heart screamed, Not Sven. He loves me.
“That makes him a damn sight better than Joe, if you ask me. He didn’t have to help you. He could have pretended not to hear anything, and he sure as hell didn’t have to clean up the mess that psycho ex left behind.”
“What if he’s trying to make me scared, you know run me into his arms?”
“Girl, you have already been in his arms. Why would he need to? Your thinking is all twisted up. You’re trying to acquit the man who has proven himself a scumbag and blame one who has never shown you anything but courtesy and protection. Joe has you brain washed, and you’d better get out of that thought pattern before you lose Sven.”
“You really think he’s a good guy.”
It mattered. Minka had introduced Alice two weeks ago, even invited her out with Sven to coffee so that they could get a feel for each other.
“He’s a great guy, and you’re a fool if you let him get away. If he heard you talking, it would break his heart. I know you think he’s all tough guy, but there is a decent man under all of that muscle.”
The conversation eased Minka’s worries about Sven, but deep down she still didn’t think Joe capable of killing an animal.
The next day Sven asked Minka if she’d like to spend Saturday in Silverwood, a weekend away to get away from it all. She politely declined, “Maybe another weekend. I want to buy curtains.”
Sven watched Minka’s face flame.
So she was lying. Something had changed between them ever since the last threat. Sven said, “That’s just what Joe wants. To scare you so you’ll be afraid to go anywhere.”
“And what do you want? We both agreed that this is a short-term fling. I’m thinking of calling Mom and moving back home for a year or so. She babysits the grandkids, and I could bring some income into the house until I find an apartment there. What we’re doing is pointless. We should stop.” Minka hand was clenched around the door handle. She hadn’t invited him in, and the only thing Sven could think was that he was standing on her porch, and his last memory of the porch was a terrible thing.
“Minka, I care about you. And not just for the minute. I will remember you long after we’ve moved apart. But I’ll tell you, I would rather you were safe with your mom than here alone while I’m on the road. I am truly sorry it didn’t work out.” It cost him to admit it. Sven longed to wrap his arms around Minka. To tell her that she would always be safe with him. To move her to Montana with him and surround her with mountains and streams and pretty flowers.
Sven wasn’t like Joe. He wouldn’t bully Minka into staying. It hurt to see Minka’s eyes widen, to see the hurt on her face when she thought he might beg. He wasn’t the kind of man to hold a person captive when they wanted to be somewhere else. He cared enough to let her walk out of his life even if it killed him.
“I care about you, too. I’m calling my mom tonight.” Minka made it sound like a funeral summons. Even with pain in her eyes, her lips curled into a smile, and to Sven that somehow made it worse.
“Do you want to go to the movies on Saturday? Just friends.” Sven hurt. He was surprised at how much. Minka was trying to say goodbye, and he couldn’t take it. First his little sister, and then his parents. He couldn’t control that. Their deaths weighed heavily, but not a single thing he did could bring them back.
“I would like that.”
She still hadn’t invited him in. He nodded once and turned away. Only five steps across the landing to his apartment, but it seemed longer, especially with his back to the open door, and Minka hadn’t closed the door yet. He would have heard it.
His neck muscles tightened as he unlocked his own door. Somehow all he could think of was that puddle of blood he had cleaned from the front of her apartment. He had always been the tough guy. Now he felt useless.
Minka dialed her mom’s house. Tears prickled her eyes, but she wouldn’t let them fall. Not for a man. Not after all of the pain she’d already suffered at their hands.
Minka reminded herself. Not Sven’s. Joe’s.
When her mom answered, Minka said, “I want to come home. I know I’m twenty-three. I know I should care for myself, but I need a place, and I don’t know where to go.”
“Honey, you’re always welcome here.” It was such a mom thing to say. They’d be at each other’s throats inside of a week, but the door was always open.
After independence, it sucked to go back into daughter mode. Minka said, “Thanks. Joe has been following me around. I found a dead dog outside my apartment a few days ago, and I just can’t be in the same town. Not anymore.”
The phone was silent so long that Minka thought she lost the connection. “Mom? Did you hear me?”
Still silent.
“Mom?” Now Minka was beginning to worry.
“The dog. What did it look like?”
Her mother’s voice was strange, distant, the way her mom sounded when they found out one of the kids at school had died of a drug overdose. Just that hint was enough. Minka remembered the fur and knew. Knew.
Tears flowed then. She found herself sitting on the floor with her back to the wall and the receiver in one hand, cord in the other. She said, “Kibbles. He killed Kibbles, didn’t he? Oh my God, he killed my dog.”
“Kibbles disappeared. I was going to tell you. It’s just...a hard phone call to make. I kept calling the local pounds, hoping someone had picked him up.”
Minka balled her hair up in her hand, her head on her knee, “That bastard. I hate him.”
“Honey, maybe you should pack up now. That family has never been right, and they’re getting worse all the time. His brother is in prison for rape, did you hear?”
“Yeah. I know. That happened last year.” Minka hadn’t wanted it to be true, but at that point, Joe’s attacks had already long started. It wasn’t a stretch to think his brother might be the same.
After Minka hung up the phone, Minka wanted to go over to Sven’s, to tell him of the loss, to receive comfort. But she didn’t deserve it. Until her mom had mentioned the missing Kibbles, Minka hadn’t known exactly who to trust. To think she told Alice that she suspected Sven, and they knew each other.
Not that Alice would say anything to Sven, but still. She would talk to him at the movies on Saturday. Friends. What a disaster.
Minka pulled herself off the floor. Feeling lonely and distressed, Minka showered, standing under the hot water until her skin puckered and the water ran cold. A small seed grew in her heart. For the first time, she knew what it was to hate, a cold vicious fury that burned her soul and stung her eyes.
Chapter 14
IT WAS MARCH 28th. Minka had known Sven for three months, the make-or-break time. And here they were...breaking. Minka’s attraction to Sven had never wavered. Maybe that’s why dressing for the date took so long.
Minka changed twice before deciding on a deep blue sweater that accentuated her curves. The green sweater made her face look sallow. She needed summer and a little sun before she wore that one. Sven rang the doorbell dressed in a jacket that made him look suave and handsome. He held out his arm and Minka put her hand on the soft sleeve, feeling bubbly, nervous joy.
“You look beautiful,” Sven said, as he walked Minka to the car. He held the door open for her.
Minka never would have guessed that at the moment Joe was driving a blue Geo Metro parked three apartment buildings down. His pickup had become too distinct, and today he was out for blood. He wore a baseball cap and sunglasses as a disguise.
The only thing on Minka’s mind was Sven. He had a dimple in his cheek when he smiled, and his hair was ruffled boyishly in every direction. Minka was determined to enjoy whatever time was left for them. Sven was by far the best thing to come into her life in a long time.
Sven pulled up to Ben’s Steak & Seafood, a nice restaurant near the falls. This pla
ce was on the expensive side but the food was superb and the ambience worth the money. Minka had eaten there once at a business dinner. The restaurant even had valet parking.
Dinner was fantastic. Although the best part was Sven’s company, the chocolate mousse was a close second. The sweet cream imbued with chocolate floated on her tongue.
“This is wonderful!” Minka grinned from ear to ear. Sven was handsome and quite the gentleman. When Minka fell in love, she fell hard. She only hoped that Sven was wearing a parachute and falling with her. Love. She couldn’t think of it. Not with her plan to move.
“I have to be honest with you. The friends thing is hard. You’re the first woman who has actually interested me in a long time,” Sven said, so seriously that Minka laughed.
She said, “You must have asked the wrong girls out. There are plenty of interesting women.”
“That may be true. I enjoy your company.” He left off the part about picking his dates from the vapid business parties his company held. Some things should not be shared.
“Me, too. Maybe one more romantic date before we go back to friends?” Minka asked.
If dinner was delightful, the movie was better. Sven held Minka’s hand through the previews, and then brushed her knee with his palm, cupping it with his hand. The warmth felt good. She loved how he leaned down to whisper in her ear, how he snuck a kiss when he brought popcorn and soda.
The friendship date had been a massive success. One last goodbye. Minka shoved her thoughts down, determined to enjoy the day.
They held hands on their way out of the theater, crossing through the sea of cars behind the dark parking lot. A flutter of movement in the darkness caught Minka’s attention.
Joe lifted a tire iron above his head, swinging it down on Sven. Minka screamed and pushed Sven out of the way. Sven twisted to face Joe while he fell. The tire iron crashed onto the car next to them. Sven didn’t have time to go for the gun, trapped under his jacket. He grabbed the tire iron and pulled hard. It went clattering to the ground.
