Lucas pulls out his phone and presses call. Merci’s voice comes on straight away.
“It’s the middle of the night, Lucas. Your woman is not with me, and I’m tired.”
“Yeah, yeah. You know Adora’s son, right?”
“Yes, why?” she asks, sounding more awake.
“Okay, good. Can you come to her new apartment and look after him?”
“Why on earth do I need to look after Jerome? Where is Adora? She would never leave him in the middle of the night with you.”
“I’m great with kids,” Lucas argues.
“Yeah, whatever. I’m leaving now. Where is Joey?”
“Here,” I say loud enough so she can hear.
“You know where she lives?” she asks. “She asked that I not tell you.”
“I always knew where she lived, Merci.”
“Right, okay… not going to delve into that deeper. I am on my way.” The phone disconnects as the woman at the table stirs, groaning and turning her head. When she opens her eyes, she takes one look at Lucas and screams.
“Shit.” He slaps her across the face. “Fuck, lady, you can’t scream. A kid is sleeping down the hall.”
“Lucas…” I groan.
“What? I didn’t bitch-smack her hard enough to knock her out, just enough to knock some sense into her.” The woman now sits there quietly, face buried in her hands.
Lucas starts to pace as I pull a chair out and sit across from her, then I begin tapping my fingers on the table.
“Blood over here too,” he says, pointing to a spot near the door.
“They were standing there when she stabbed him,” the woman says. She’s young, much younger than Adora.
“Who did?”
“His wife,” she answers.
“Adora?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Smart girl,” Lucas adds. “Though, next time, she needs to go for the nuts. Guarantee he won’t be standing after taking a knife to that area.” The girl’s eyes go wide. “How old are you?” Lucas asks her.
“Eighteen.”
“And why are you here, in Adora’s apartment, asleep on her table?”
She looks at the wine glass and nods to it. “I saw him put something in mine and a lot in hers,” she replies.
“And you said nothing?” I question, surprised. I get no reply as a knock sounds at the door. Lucas opens it to find Merci, still in her pajamas, on the other side. She steps in and takes a look around.
“Where is the kid?” she asks.
“In his bed.”
“I’m going to take him to mine.” I stand and throw her my keys.