Free Death's Hand by S M Reine Page A

bounced as she pedaled. She sounded barely winded, her skin shining with sweat and the curls around her forehead clinging to her skin.
    Betty blew air out from between her lips. “It’s never a big deal with Elise,” she said in a loud stage-whisper to Ann. Then, to Elise, she added, “Come on, I can get my cousin to talk, and you’re hardly a tougher shell to crack.”
    “The military could hire you for interrogations,” Ann agreed.
    “Oh, shucks.”
    Elise shot a glance at her. “I’m having normal money problems. James and I have been arguing, too.”
    “Oh no, the honeymoon is over,” Betty said, dabbing at her neck with a towel. “I’ve never seen the two of you argue.”
    “That’s because we don’t.”
    “So why this time?”
    She was silent for several long seconds, her face impassive with thought. “He wants me to do something. I don’t want to get involved, and I don’t think he should be, either.”
    “What does he want you to do?” Betty asked.
    Elise shrugged. “It’s not important.”
    Betty watched Elise as she thought. Her friend was hard to read sometimes, but Betty played poker, and she was good at picking up on tells. Elise was lying. “Does this have to do with last night?”
    “Yes and no.”
    “Are you sure you’re not fighting because you have a hot date and he’s jealous?”
    “No,” Elise said. “Why would he be jealous? That’s stupid.”
    Betty flashed Ann a knowing look.
    “James sounds nosy. I’m glad I don’t have to answer to anybody,” Ann said.
    “What about your parents?” Elise asked, increasing the tension on her bike again. Betty leaned over to peer at Elise’s screen, noting the little green pixels marched in a determined, near-vertical line up the readout. Showoff. “You’re only nineteen. Don’t you live with them?”
    “No. I mean, not exactly. I live in a house they own, but they don’t live with me. They’re in Egypt.”
    Betty’s mouth dropped open. “Egypt? That’s really cool. What are they doing there?”
    Ann pedaled harder. “Resting.”
    “Like, retired? Awesome. One of these days, when I’m a famous research scientist, I’m going to go to cool places like that. I’ve never been out of the country,” Betty said. “Well, except for that one cruise down to Mexico, but that’s an experience best unmentioned.”
    Elise took a swig of water from her bottle. “Everywhere is pretty much the same after awhile. These days, you can go to some places in Europe and not even realize you’ve left the states.”
    “That’s easy for you to say,” Betty said. “You’ve been everywhere at least twice.”
    “You like traveling, Elise?” Ann asked.
    She shrugged. “It loses its excitement after a few years.”
    “It doesn’t hurt you’ve always had a hot dancing witch to come home to.” Betty waggled her eyebrows. “Am I right?”
    Elise ignored her. “Five minutes and we’re done.”
    “So Elise, why have you traveled so much?” Ann pressed. “I mean, why would you put yourself through something you obviously weren’t enjoying?”
    Betty had the sudden urge to strangle Ann. If there was one thing Elise liked less than being friendly and nice, it was invasive questions. Dagger-like looks and stony silence for the remainder of the gym trip was not her idea of a fun afternoon.
    But to her surprise, when Elise answered, there was no malice in her voice. “Life has a habit of taking me places I don’t necessarily want to go.”
    Ann’s gaze went distant. “I get that.”
    About seventy million hours later, Elise’s bike beeped. Betty’s still had several seconds on it, but she immediately hopped off.
    “Thank deity,” Betty sighed, rubbing her thighs.
    Elise sprayed Betty’s bike with disinfectant and handed her a towel, then set about cleaning her own. “We took it easy today. More lifting next time and less cardio. How’s Sunday?”
    Betty groaned loudly. “ Sunday ? I’m not sure I’ll be able to walk, much