Lethal Discoveries by Erica Pensini - HTML preview

Chapter 21

I changed into a black bathing suit and a pair of old trousers, and drove out to Jack’s place, with Led Zeppelin and Guns’n’Roses playing on the background. The heat and the old familiar notes had a soothing effect on me. After all the polymer hadn’t been released yet, I was going to warm McMurrich the next day and tonight I would be swimming with Jack, leaving my work behind. Perhaps we could have something to eat together afterwards. I felt myself longing for this, life was good. I smiled, the breeze flapping softly on my face through the open window.

I parked on the back of the building and walked up the fire stairs. When I knocked on Jack’s door I heard some stirring inside, and a long moment later Jack opened the door, his hair messy and wet, and a towel wrapped around his waist.

“I was steaming in the bakery”, he said, answering my puzzled expression, “I couldn’t drive with you sweaty as I was, even if we are heading for a swim”.

I laughed at this and then, unexpectedly, I pushed him inside and looked at him from a distance, my hands resting on his shoulders.

“It’s good to see you, Jack”, I said.

He was silent for a moment, then said, “Yeah, it’s good to see you too, Iris”.

The room was filled with the soapy smell of his recently washed body and his green-flecked gaze felt fresh on my hot skin.

“Give me a moment”, Jack said, and reappeared a few moments later with a pair of swimming boxers and a tattered shirt on.

“Let’s go with my car”, he said, grabbing the keys.

“Why?”, I asked.

He shrugged. “No real reason, I just feel like driving”, he replied.

Then he winked at me, and said “come on”, guiding me towards the door.