But I’m not sure what she believes she can giv
e me to end it all.
“She texted me,” Kristen says.
“I didn’t know you guys had each other’s numbers.”
She shrugs. “I left her a note at an alteration shop I saw her coming out of. Since she came out empty-handed, I figured she’d dropped off some clothes there. So I asked the owner to give her a note.”
“I see. So what did Elizabeth say?”
Kristen clears her throat. “She told me to be careful, especially of people I trust.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Did she mention any specifics? Maybe some names?” Otherwise, it’s a weird thing to text.
“Yeah.” She squirms. “Andy.”
“Andy?”
She nods. “Cousin Andy.”
What the…? Elizabeth met him in Hawaii…
And I know with instant clarity that the reason she contacted Kristen was to warn her away from Andy, not “people.”
Before I can work it through, the intercom rings. Kristen jumps up from the table. After a moment, she says, “There’s a package for you.”
“At this hour?”
“Personal delivery, or so they say.”
My heart pounds.
Elizabeth.
No. Can’t be. If it were her, Kristen would say something.
Tolyan walks in, his gaze cold and emotionless. He’s dressed in a suit like at the airport, sans sunglasses. A team of two men carry a big, somewhat flat and rectangular item wrapped in Styrofoam and cardboard, and set it against a wall.
He signs a sheet of paper for one of the men and dismisses them. “Thank you for your help.”
“My pleasure, sir,” they say in unison and leave.
“Kristen, can you give us some privacy?” I ask.
“But—”
“Now.”
She pulls her lips in, then nods and goes upstairs. I look up, making sure she enters her room. I don’t want her eavesdropping.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, a wary gaze on Tolyan.
“I thought you already heard from Elizabeth.”
“She hasn’t been in touch.”
Tolyan shrugs. “That”—he gestures at the wrapped item behind him—“is what matters the most to her. You said you wanted it, and she’s giving it to you. I know it’s not the same thing as taking it, but it should give you a similar satisfaction. You have it, she doesn’t.” He presses his thin lips together, as though suppressing laughter. But not with good humor. His eyes are full of mockery. “Now, leave her alone. You’re more than even.”