Katarina was in the kitchen, stirring some kind of beef stew. ‘A woman brought it,’ she said. ‘She was upset, angry I think. She asks me to tell you: “I hope you will be happy.” But she’s not smiling when she said it.’
‘No. I don’t suppose she was.’
‘It’s your woman?’
‘Not any more. It’s finished.’
‘Oh.’ She smiled. ‘I made stew. You want to have some?’
‘Why not?’
Later that evening Mariner was introducing Katarina to Casablanca when there was a rap on the door. He opened it to find Anna standing on the doorstep. ‘I let the van go down without me. I couldn’t just go, not without saying goodbye.’ She looked beyond him into the lounge where Katarina sat.
‘This isn’t what you think,’ Mariner said hastily. ‘I’m only putting her up until—’
She managed a smile. ‘I know. I talked to Tony a couple of days ago. It doesn’t make any difference though, does it?’
‘I suppose not. I hope you find what you want, Anna.’
‘You too.’ And with a soft kiss on his cheek she turned and walked back up the path.
Blood Money Page 27
