Healthy Place to Die
Page 20
Elaine and I eyed one another warily, like two boxers each sizing up the other. It was a different kind of clinch we went into though, and when we came out of it, she gave me a whimsical smile. “What’s the matter?” I asked. “Is this the kind of situation that the existence of your fictitious fiancé was supposed to prevent?”
“He didn’t do a very good job, did he? I may have to get rid of him altogether.”
“I don’t think you even need him,” I told her.
“Maybe I’ll be too busy getting started in a practice.”
We walked out through the reception area together.
“It’s a shame we were not able to do a reprise on our performance in the sauna,” Elaine said softly.
“Events moved too fast for us, I suppose.”
“I suppose.”
I watched her climb into a taxi. I headed back to my chalet to complete packing, as my flight wasn’t for a couple of hours yet. I was stopped by a voice calling me. It was Marta, all bright and sparkling.
“You look ready to step right on to the set and face the camera,” I told her, and it was true.
She smiled at the compliment, then she turned serious. “Did you hear about the terrible disaster?” she asked.
“Yes,” I admitted.
Her beautiful eyes searched my face. “You know something about it, don’t you? I can tell. My mother was a clairvoyant, did I ever mention that?”
“I don’t believe you did, but yes, I do know something. …”
She took my hand and tucked it under her arm. “Let’s go for a walk and you can tell me all about it. You probably don’t want to take a mud bath again, but some of the other baths here are invigorating. Have you tried …”
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copyright © 2000 by Peter King
cover design by Connie Gabbert
ISBN: 978-1-4532-7727-0 (ePub)
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