Page 60 (2/2)

The bathrooht switch, and the harsh yellow light was not kind Her makeup was scattered around the cracked sink like casualties The tub was nearly rotted with rust I found what I hoped was a clean washrag and ran cold water over it The water that trickled out was the color of weak coffee The pipes shuddered and clanked and whined The water finally ran clear It felt good on my hands, but I didn't splash any on my neck or face It would have been cool, but the bathroom was dirty I couldn't use the water, not if I didn't have to I looked up as I squeezed the rag out The ave me my face back in broken pieces

I didn't look in the ain I walked back past the coffin and hesitated I had an urge to knock on the smooth wood Anybody hoht have knocked back

Phillip had the woainst hi had almost stopped She flinched when she saw ood at, and handed the rag to Phillip "Wipe her face and put it against the back of her neck; it'll help"

He did what I asked, and she sat there with the da atShe shivered

I found the light switch, and harsh light flooded the rooain, but I didn't I thought Rebecca ain if I sat beside her, or maybe she'd have a complete breakdown Wouldn't that be pretty? The only chair was lopsided and had yellowed stuffing bulging out one side I decided to stand

Phillip looked up at lasses were hooked over the front of his tank top His eyes ide and careful, as if he didn't wantOne tanned arm rapped around her shoulders, protective I felt like a bully

"I told her e are here I told her you wouldn't hurt Jack"

"The coffin?" I smiled I couldn't help it He was a "jack in the box"

"Yes," Phillip said He stared atwere not appropriate

It wasn't, so I stopped, but it was so of an effort

I nodded If Rebecca wanted to shack up with vampires, that was her business It certainly wasn't police business

"Go on, Rebecca She's trying to help us," Phillip said

"Why?" she asked

It was a good question I had scared her and made her cry I answered her question "The master of the city made me an offer I couldn't refuse"

She stared atme to memory "I don't believe you," she said

I shrugged That's what you get for telling the truth Someone calls you a liar Most people will accept a likely lie to an unlikely truth In fact, they prefer it

"How could any vampire threaten The Executioner?" she asked

I sighed "I'eyman, Rebecca Have you ever met the master of the city?"

"No"

"Then you'll have to trust ht mind would be"

She still looked unconvinced, but she started talking Her sht voice told the same story she'd told the police Bland and useless as a new-minted penny

"Rebecca, I a, that killed your boyfriend Please help me"

Phillip hugged her "Tell her what you told me"

She glanced at him, then back at me She sucked her lower lip in and scraped it with her upper teeth, thoughtful She took a deep, shaky breath "We were at a freak party that night"

I blinked, then tried to sound reasonably intelligent "I know a freak is someone who likes vampires Is a freak party what I think it is?"