T Is for Trespass

tension in my neck. I was wary of Solana and hoping to avoid running into her again. She had to be aware I had her in my sights and I didn’t think she’d appreciate the interference. As it turned out, our paths didn’t cross until Saturday night. So I was worrying before it was absolutely necessary.
    I’d been to see a movie and it was close to eleven when I got home. I parked half a block down the street in the only space I could find at that hour. I got out and locked the car. The street was dark and empty. A skittish wind blew, sending a tumble of leaves across my feet like an undulating wave of mice escaping from a cat. The moon was intermittently visible, obscured and then exposed by the erratic movement of the trees. I thought I was the only one out, but as I approached Henry’s gate, I caught sight of Solana standing in the shadows. I secured my shoulder bag and shoved my hands in the pockets of my parka.
    She stepped forward when I was abreast of her, blocking my path.
    I said, “Get away from me.”
    “You put me in hot water with the county. A bad move on your part.”
    “Who’s Cristina Tasinato?”
    “You know who she is. Mr. Vronsky’s conservator of record. She says you paid a visit to her attorney. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
    “I don’t give a rat’s ass.”
    “Bad language is unbecoming. I gave you more credit than that.”
    “Or maybe you didn’t give me credit enough.”
    Solana stared at me. “You were in my house. You picked up Mr. Vronksy’s pill bottles to see what medications he’s on. You set the bottles down not quite in the same place so I could tell they’d been moved. I pay attention to such things. You must have thought you were immune from discovery, but you’re not. You took his bankbooks as well.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, but I wondered if she could hear my heart careen off my chest wall like a handball.
    “You’ve made a serious mistake. People who try getting the best of me are always wrong. They learn the meaning of the word ‘regret,’ but by then it’s too late.”
    “Are you threatening me?”
    “Of course not. I’m offering advice. Leave Mr. Vronsky alone.”
    “Who’s the big goon you have living in the house?”
    “There’s no one living in the house except the two of us. You’re a suspicious young woman. Some would call you paranoid.”
    “Is he the orderly you hired?”
    “There’s an orderly who comes in, if it’s any business of yours. You’re upset. I can understand your hostility. You’re strong willed, used to doing as you please and having everything your way. We’re very much alike, both of us willing to play to the death.”
    She put a hand on my arm and I shook it away. “Cut the melodrama. You can eat shit and die for all I care.”
    “Now it’s you threatening me.”
    “You better believe it,” I said.
    The gate squeaked as I opened it and the sound of the latch catching punctuated the end of the exchange. She was still standing on the walk as I rounded the corner of the studio and let myself into my darkened apartment. I locked the door and shucked my jacket, tossing it on the kitchen counter as I passed. The lights were still off as I moved into the downstairs bathroom and stepped into the shower to check the street outside. By the time I peered out the window, she was gone.

29
    As I was letting myself into the office Monday morning I heard my phone ring. A bulky package was leaning against the door, left by a courier service. I tucked it under my arm and unlocked the door in haste, stepping over a pile of mail that had been shoved through the slot. I paused to snatch up the lot of it and scampered into the inner office, tossing the mail on my desk while I made a grab for the phone. I caught it on ring five and found Mary Bellflower on the line, sounding remarkably cheerful. “Did you get the documents Lowell Effinger messengered over to you? He sent me the same batch.”
    “Must be the package that was left at my door. I just now walked in and haven’t had a chance to open it. What is it?”
    “The transcript of the deposition he took from the accident expert earlier this week. Call me as soon as you’ve read it.”
    “Sure thing. You sound happy.”
    “I’m curious at any rate. This is good stuff,” she said.
    I shrugged off my jacket and tossed my shoulder bag on the floor beside my desk. Before I opened the packet, I walked down the short hall to my