She felt sick to herstomach. No wonder Elias had been distracted lately.
“But this fucking Bozo hadhis sights on taking from Elias. So, he attempted to plant one of the drug-overdosedwomen at the back of one of his bars. Elias dealt with the problem, but itdidn’t make it go away. Bozo was a problem, and there was a chance he mighthave been able to catch him sooner. Do you have any idea what that is?”
“No.”
“There was a chance thatusing you as bait might have been too promising for him to not use it. But hedidn’t. Do you want any clues as to why?”
She opened her mouth andclosed it. Winnie didn’t know what to say.
“Simple. Elias is in lovewith you, and he was not going to use you to get to anyone else. Elias is notthe kind of man to marry a random woman. You’re different. You’re unique.”
“He saved me four yearsago … it was a situation, and he saved me.”
“Yeah, and you know, hecould have let you go. He didn’t have to marry you, Winnie, but he did. Justlike he didn’t have to call me to check on you to see if you’re well, and guesswhat, you are well.” He changed the bandage. “Some of my best work.”
“Do you think he knows hehas feelings for me?”
“Yes,” Dr. Mansell said.“Trust me, Elias knows everything.”
He packed up his kit andshe had hoped he would stay a little longer so she could pick over what he hadsaid, but there was no reason to keep him.
“I’ll see you in a coupleof days,” Dr. Mansell said. With that, he was gone.
Winnie looked around theapartment. She ran a hand down her face. She wanted to help her husband, but shehad no idea how.
****
Elias entered hisapartment, and he immediately went looking for Winnie. He found her in thekitchen, cooking.
“What the hell are youdoing?” he asked.
She turned toward him.“I’m cooking dinner, why?”
“Your arm.”
“My arm is fine. Dr.Mansell has already said it is healing well, and I don’t have to worry. I’mable to cook dinner.” She offered him a smile. “Stop worrying.”
“I could order in,” hesaid.
“And not get my chickenand cheese spaghetti?” she asked.
He cupped her cheek. “Youdon’t have to cook, not if it hurts.”
“It’s fine. It tingles alittle, but it’s fine.”
Elias stroked her cheek. Hekilled Bozo way too easily and now as he looked at his wife, he wished he’dtaken his time. That son of a bitch had sent an amateur to shoot his wife. Heshould have died even more painfully.
“There’s actuallysomething I want to talk to you about,” Winnie said.
“What is it?”
“I want to help.”
“Help?”
“I was talking to Dr.Mansell and I want to help you bring Bozo out,” she said. “If there is anythingI can do—”
“Stop, Winnie. You don’tneed to worry.”
