“Running from something? Or someone? Maybe even her parents?”
“She didn’t seem like a runner. She was sure of herself. And content.”
Death laughed. “You talk like you knew her for years. What makes you think she was so happy?”
“I didn’t say she was happy. I said she was content. There’s a huge difference.”
“Like you would know. You’re neither.”
“But I remember what they both felt like. It wasn’t so long ago I’ve forgotten.”
The Flamingo reared up in front of them, in all its pinkness, and Casey’s step faltered. “Oh, L’Ankou, I don’t want to talk to these people. I don’t want to talk about their dead daughter. What do I have to say to them? How can I possibly help them in any way? I have nothing to offer them.”
“Binns said you don’t have to talk with them.”
“I know. But if it’s not now, it will be sometime in the next few days, when I have less control over it.” She let out a sound of frustration, anger, and hopelessness. It was all so pointless. “So I guess I’m getting it over with now. All right?”
“I guess.”
Casey walked toward the front of the building, but hesitated again.
Death sighed. “What now?”
Casey held up her hand. She could see someone at the base of one of the palm trees, hiding behind the bushes. There. Peeking around, then ducking back. The encroaching darkness cast shadows along the ground, and among the foliage, so Casey couldn’t get a good feel for who was waiting for her. Whoever it was obviously didn’t want to be seen.
“Should we cross to the other side of the street?” Death said.
“How would we get to our building, then? No. We’re going head on.”
Casey pulled her confidence out of reserve, rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck, and approached the tree with caution. The person didn’t look out again, and the average passerby would never know someone was there. Casey left her purse behind a bush, then walked straight, as if she were going to pass the tree. She spun around the trunk, pressing her forearm against the person’s throat and slamming her against the bark. Casey leaned forward, surprised. “Laurie?”
Laurie gagged, her wind cut off by Casey’s arm. Her hair was even wilder than it had been by the pool that afternoon, and her eyes shone wide and glassy. Casey released her, and she stumbled to the side, putting her hands to her neck.
“Sorry,” Casey said. “I didn’t know it was you.”
Laurie blinked several times and cleared her throat, her eyes darting from side to side.
Casey looked around, but didn’t see anyone else. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes, I… The guard saw you…I just wanted…never mind.” She turned to go.
“No, wait. Please. I won’t touch you again.” Casey held up her hands, as if in surrender.
Laurie fidgeted, then stepped a little farther back into the trees, gesturing for Casey to follow.
“Careful,” Death said.
“I’m always careful.”
Laurie frowned. “Me, too. At least I used to be.”
Casey couldn’t believe the mess of a woman Laurie had become. “What do you want, Laurie? I was waiting for you in the weight room earlier and you didn’t show up.”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to. I just…couldn’t. Not right then. Maria was at the elevator and she…she was looking for me all day, wanting me to teach. I just can’t yet.” She glanced around, and shrank back into the foliage even more.
“Laurie, what is going on? Who are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid.”
Death laughed. “Could’ve fooled me. Look at her, cowering in the greenery.”
“Laurie,” Casey said gently, “you’re hiding in bushes.”
Laurie sank to the ground, her back against a tree. She muffled a sob behind her hand. “Andrea’s family is in there.”
“Yes, I’m supposed to be meeting with them.”
Laurie winced. “What are you going to tell them?”
“I assume they want to know about when I found her.”
“That’s all?”
“I don’t know anything else. What else would I say? Look, Laurie, is there something I should know? Something you want to tell me?”
Laurie shook her head, still not looking up. “I don’t want to tell you anything.”
“Oh, great,” Death said. “Complete waste of time. And I think a bug just dropped down my collar.”
“Then why am I back here with you?” Casey said, trying to be more patient than Death.
“Because I want you to know Andrea’s death is not my fault. And it’s not his fault, either. He never meant to hurt anybody. He just wanted to make people happy.”
“Brandon, I assume she’s talking about,” Death said. “He wanted