Weekend - By Christopher Pike Page 0,42

were in knots. "I could have killed the snake myself. And I wouldn't have needed a gun,Michael ."

"I'm sure you could have. How're your feet?"

"Fine, thank you."

He smiled. "And I thought you liked me. Here I was worried about you, and volunteered to prowl the snake-infested wild to find you. What have I done to deserve that tone?"

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Probably."

She pulled on her shoes. "I don't trust someone who lies about who he is, breaks into people's filing cabinets, and is such a coward that he has to carry a gun."

"Well, at least you're afraid of me."

"A blackbird is more fearsome than you." He terrified her. He could put a bullet in her brain right now and chances were no one would be any wiser. However, his pistol was now out of sight. He turned away, staring up at the cloud-choked sky.

"Isn't it possible that I might have reasons for doing what I am doing? Reasons that you would approve of if you knew all the details?"

"What are your reasons?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"I can't tell you."

"Then I don't trust you."

He looked at her, his green eyes wary in the harsh shadows cast by the flashlight. "Don't tell the others who I am."

"Why shouldn't I?" She was gambling, playing the tough role, but she doubted that kissing up to him would deceive him. Her Nikes remained untied. Her stomach began to cramp. It had nothing in it. She'd thrown up on the way to the hill. He knelt by her side. His profile belonged on the big screen. He touched her arm.

"Because I'm asking you not to. Trust me, Shani. Please? Before the night's over, I think, everything will be made clear."

"I want to," she whispered, then hardened. "I'm not the only one who's on to you. Nurse Porter talked to Lena last night. She told her to watch out for you."

He frowned: "What else did she say?"

"I don't know if I should - "

"Tell me!"

She cowered. "Nothing else, just that you were probably up to no good."

"Did she use my real name?"

"No. She said they were making some checks on you, that she would talk to Lena today."

"Anything else?"

"No."

"You're sure?"

"She thought you were after Robin."

"The phones..." he muttered, looking back at the house. "Who was going to call who?"

"Lena said she would call Miss Porter. I don't know why I'm telling you all this."

Flynn was distracted, deep in thought. "The lines were down before the explosion... Hmmm." He smiled, patted her back. "Thank you for the information. But it doesn't surprise me. And I don't think it will change anything, not now."

Shani wondered what she had done, all out of weakness for a beautiful face. "You're not going to hurt Robin are you?"

"Why would I hurt Robin?"

"You've been hanging around her, bringing all her food and drinks."

"I'm trying to protect her."

"From what?"

"From getting poisoned."

"What?"

"She was poisoned once. She now has the very same people around her as last time. I would say she stands an excellent chance of having it happen to her again."

"But that was an accident."

"I don't think so." He paused. "Did you do it? The first time, I mean?"

"No! How could you think such a thing?"

"I didn't really think that you did. But the others... There is a bad apple in there somewhere. Maybe two."

"It probably wasn't an accident," she said sadly. "And Bert... You didn't seem too upset over what happened to him."

He was harsh. "What do you know aboutmy feelings?"

It was the first time he had dropped his guard. "I'm sorry. I... it's just that I don't know anything about you. Why are you so concerned about Robin? What's she to you?"

He went to speak, but stopped. Her question seemed to hurt him. But then he shrugged and smiled. "I'm concerned about you, too."

"Don't change the subject."

"I like you, Shani."

"You're playing with me again."

"No, I'm not."

"Why?" She wished her voice hadn't trembled.

"Because you're so sweet and beautiful."

He kissed her. For a moment, she didn't respond. Then her arms went around his neck and she was pulling him closer. This was madness! But she liked it! Not breaking contact, he sat down beside her, putting pressure on one leg. His hands crept beneath her shirt, touched her lower back. She began to cough, turned away.

Laughing, he said, "I didn't know I was that bad."

"It's not you!" she breathed. Boy, she was a real winner all round. At least James Bond's ladies got a little sex before he killed them. "This air... my