Free Caught by Lisa Moore Page A

of her shoulders. He thought of the stairs and he thought about the elevator. If the cops went into the room with the guy in the bath he might make it to the elevator.
    He forced the zipper and it gave. It slipped soundlessly to the top. He brought the tiny metal hook and eye together. There was a flimsy loop of ribbon hanging out, under her arm.
    You’ve got a thing, he said.
    Could you just, she said. That’s not supposed to show.
    It doesn’t seem to belong, he said. To the general look.
    That’s a loop, she said, for you to hang the thing up in the back of the closet where you leave it for the rest of your life until maybe your own poor daughter grows up and makes the mistake of looking sideways at a man during the wrong time of the month.
    He stepped back. She was tucking the loop of ribbon into the top of the dress. She had raised one arm and she was poking the ribbon under with her finger and there was a faint shadow where she had shaved under her arm. Tiny black dots, like a sprinkle of pepper. Her underarm looked naked and grey-white next to the impossible white of the dress and it was secret-looking.
    Slaney saw she was sexy. Then came the knock on her door again. The bride swished around in the chair. She appeared to be astonished, for the first time since Slaney had forced himself into the room. He ducked into her bathroom. He was behind the door but he had caught her eyes in the mirror. He didn’t ask anything of her with his eyes. He waited for her to decide. She would have to do what she thought was right. The knock came harder and sharper and she left the mirror. He heard her dress swishing across the room and she opened the door.
    Officers, she said.
    Good evening, ma’am, one of the cops said.
    I hope so, she said. I’m about to get married.
    We were wondering if you’ve seen any suspicious activity, the officer said. Anyone looking like they might be on the run.
    Are you talking about the groom? she said.
    We’re looking for a young fellow, six-foot-two, blue eyes, black hair, slender of build, some would say handsome-looking guy.
    I was looking for one of them too, she said. But you settle for what you get. I got to be at the altar in an hour, gentlemen, else the one I got might try to get away.
    Sorry to bother you, ma’am, one of the cops said. She shut the door and leaned her forehead against it. Slaney came out of the bathroom.
    You’re set there now, he said. The zipper.
    It’s too bad we can’t open a few windows, she said. There’d be such a lovely breeze. The room is so damn hot.
    It is hot, Slaney said.
    Or is it me?
    You’re hot, Slaney said. There was a loud slosh of water from the room on the other side of the wall. Whoever was over there had got back in the bath. The two of them were almost whispering. He was struggling not to kiss her, he realized. He thought a chaste kiss, and then he thought forget chaste. But he also knew she wasn’t looking for a kiss.
    Do you think it will rain? she asked.
    They are calling for it, he said.
    I know that, she said.
    I should probably go, he said.
    Paul is being honourable, the bride said. Doing the honourable thing. I guess you don’t even know Paul. I thought you were a cousin.
    I’m hitchhiking across the country, Slaney said.
    You sort of look like them, she said. I thought for sure you were one of the cousins. Removed or something.
    I’m heading out in the morning, Slaney said.
    You’re leaving? she said. He guessed her to be about eighteen.
    Have you got something old? Slaney asked. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
    I’m old, she said. I’m something old. I’m old and I’m blue. I’m something, anyway.
    She arched an eyebrow at him. It flew up and the other one stayed still. He thought she would never get any older. She had probably been born with all the wisdom she had now and it was a sizable amount.
    Maybe there is a moment in everyone’s life when something altering occurs, and maybe you