What Happened to Lori Read online

 

  Lunch consisted of slapped together ham and tomato sandwiches, a choice of mayo or mustard. Presley had one of each.

  Fabler didn’t talk.

  Afternoon focused on grappling practice. Fabler had some serious skills, and drilled Presley on several moves; arm bars, wrist locks, leg locks.

  Several times, his hands touched the bandages beneath her shirts.

  He didn’t comment. But Presley noted that Fabler took care never to touch the same bandage twice.

  He also became gentler. Which felt less like grappling, and more like hugging.

 

  “Let’s try the choke hold again.” He sat behind her on the ground, his arms and legs around her. “Cinch it under the chin. Tight. Like this. This is important, in case your opponent has a longer neck.”

  “A longer neck? Are we wrestling giraffes?”

  Fabler didn’t respond.

  They switched positions, Presley wrapping around him.

 

  Fabler made her choke him fifteen times.

  After grappling, dinner was spaghetti. Just noodles and a jar of sauce.

 

  “When do I get paid?” Presley tried to make it sound casual as she wiped her plate with the last of the brioche.

  “Every seventh day.”

  “And the boarding includes food?”

  “Yes. That’s what you’re eating right now. Food.”

  “Could it be food I pick out?”

  Fabler stared at her.

  “I could do the shopping next time I go into town. I can go into town, right?”

  Presley had no intention of visiting town again anytime soon, not with Kadir prowling around. But she wanted to gauge Fabler’s reaction.

  “Of course. Grocery shopping is one of your activities.”

  “Can you tell me what other activities? Or are they secret?”

  She went for playful, using the tone she’d developed for married men in bars.

  “Getting your hair and nails done. Going to the spa for facials and massages. Hot yoga at the gym.”

  “You’re paying for all that?”

  “Yes. It’s part of the job.”

  She guffawed, just once, more out of surprise than amusement. “I still don’t know what this job actually is.”

  “You will.” Fabler slurped a long noodle into his mouth, getting sauce on his lips. “In time.”

  FABLER ○ 9:38pm

  Fabler put on a Sigourney Weaver DVD and watched Presley walk down the hallway.