Angels Fall

she on the other. He could be hurt. He could die while she did nothing.
    Ginny had died while she did nothing.
    She got to her feet. It was like standing in syrup. Like pushing through that thick goo that clogged the ears, the nose, the eyes. And as she approached the door, through the dull buzzing in her head, she heard footsteps on the stairs.
    They'd find her this time, and this time they'd know she wasn't dead. They'd know, and they'd finish it.
    "Reece. It's okay. It's Brody. Unlock the door."

    "Brody." She said his name first as if testing the sound of it. Then on a gasp of relief that was like pain, she yanked open the door and stared at him. Swayed.
    "It's okay," he repeated, and reached down to take the knife out of her hand. "He's gone." Dots flashed in front of her eyes, black and white. Even as the edges went red. he propelled her into a chair, shoved her head between her knees.
    "Cut it out. You cut it out and breathe. Now."
    His voice sliced through the dizziness, the queasiness, chipped away at the pressing weight on her chest.
    "I thought… I heard…"
    "I slipped. There was water on the kitchen floor. Knocked over a chair. Keep breathing."
    "You're not shot. Not shot."
    "Do I look like I'm shot?"
    Slowly, she lifted her head. "I wasn't sure what was real, where I was."
    "You're right here and so am I. He's gone."
    "Did you see him?"
    "No. Cowardly bastard took off. That's what you need to remember." He took her face firmly in his hands. "He's a coward."
    He heard the sirens but kept his eyes on hers. " There's the cavalry. Get some clothes on." Dressed, she came down to find the back door open, with the floodlights on. She could hear the mutter of voices. Seeking solace in order, she started coffee, then mopped up the wet floor. She brewed tea for herself, and had cups, milk and sugar on the table when Brody came in with Denny.
    "Coffee, Deputy?"
    "Wouldn't mind it. You up to giving a statement, Reece?"
    "Yes. It's coffee regular, isn't it?"
    "Sorry?"
    "Milk, two sugars"
    "Yeah." Denny pulled on his earlobe. "You got a mind for details. Okay if we sit?" He took a seat at the table, took out his pad. "Can you tell me what happened?"
    "I came downstairs. I was thirsty, and I was going to make dinner. Brody was in the shower." 
    She poured the coffee, glanced at Denny's face. From the light flush on it, she assumed Brody had told him w hat they'd been doing beforehand, or he'd certainly inferred it.
    "I got a bottle of water from the fridge," she continued, set his cof fee and Brody's on the table before turning for her tea. "I heard something, like a tapping, at the window. When I looked over, I saw him."
    "What did you see, exactly?"
    "A man. Black coat, orange hat, sunglasses." She sat, stared into her tea.
    "Can you describe him?"
    "It was dark," she said carefully. "And the kitchen light reflected on the glass. I didn't see him clearly. Then he was gone. I saw the knob on the back door move. I heard it turn. I grabbed a knife from the block by the stove. The door opened, and he was standing there. Just standing there. I ran upstairs."
    "Height? Weight? Coloring?"
    She squeezed her eyes shut. He'd seemed huge to her, impossibly huge. How could she see through the haze of her own tear? "White, clean-shaven. I'm not sure. It was quick, it was dark, and I was so scared."
    "Did he say anything?"
    "No." She jumped at the sound of a car pulling up.
    "That's probably the sheriff," Denny said. "Hank contacted him after me. I'll just go on out, fill him in." She sat with her hands in her lap when Denny went out. "It's pitiful, isn't it? He was standing right there, but I can't tell you what he looked like. Not really."
    "It was dark," Brody said. '"I imagine he stood back far enough to be in the shadows. You had the glare of the light in your eyes. And you were scared. What did I tell you he was, Reece?"
    "A coward." She lifted her head. "And he knows just how to play me. They won't believe me, Brody. I'm an hysterical woman, with delusions. You and Denny, you didn't find anything outside. No handy clue."
    "No. He's careful."
    "But you believe me." She took a breath. "When I was upstairs alone, I thought I heard gunshots. I got everything tangled up."
    "Give yourself a fucking break, Reece. You snapped back."
    "He had to have watched us. Standing somewhere outside, watching the house, watching us." She saw Brody's face tighten. "You didn't think I'd click onto that?"
    "I hoped you wouldn't."
    "I'm not