Page 36 of His Other Half

Chapter 15

Josie

A knock on the doorstartled Josie from folding laundry. She picked up her knife and went to the other side of the room. There was no peephole to look through. "Who is it?"

"It's Cami...and Chrischris."

She set the knife on the kitchen counter and unlocked the latch to let them in. "What's up?"

On Saturday, Cami had told her she was going to spend all day with Chrischris. He'd promised to bring over food and a VHS movie. She planned to stay in and let them have their privacy. Though Cami swore they'd only struck up a friendship, Josie believed Chrischris had other plans.

"I need to ask you a favor," said Chrischris.

She motioned to the couch. "Go ahead."

He remained standing by the door. "Will you go over to Paco's house?"

She glanced at Cami, not expecting that request. Giving her attention back to Chrischris, she said, "Why?"

He rubbed his hand over his whiskered jaw. "He's in a bad place. Nobody can get through to him, and if he doesn't get a grip soon, he's not going to have any house left."

Her pulse quickened. "What do you mean? He's destroying his house?"

"That's what I mean."

She stepped over to the couch, glanced down, and wiggled her foot into her sneaker. "Why would he do that?"

"From what I heard, he's, uh, been drinking and stuff. Slick and Hammer went over there to throw back a few beers with him since Promise...Tarkio's bar is closed, but he's not listening to them."

She'd had a lifetime of alcohol abuse in people around her, she shook her head. "He's a grown man. If he wants to drink, he—"

"It's more than that. He keeps asking for you, Josie," he said.

If he needed her, she would be there for him. It was the least she could do after everything he'd done for her.

"I'll go." She grabbed her purse, searching in the bag for her keys.

"'Preciate it." Chrischris looked around the room. "Can I use your phone?"

"Sure." She went to Cami while he made his call. "Do you know what's really going on?"

The other night, Paco had stayed at her apartment. He seemed sad and hadn't wanted to be alone. She understood that. He'd killed someone for her. The aftermath of his actions hit him hard. She wanted to be with him, too, and help him.

"He called to check at the clubhouse and apparently found out Paco had gone out of control. He never talked about why." Cami grabbed her arm. "Are you sure you want to go to him? It could be dangerous."

Cami knew her opinion about drinking and why she stayed away from alcohol. She blew out her breath. "No, but I owe him."

She had a feeling he was dealing with the reality of his crimes. Having no experience taking someone else's life, she wasn't sure how she would help him. All she could offer was to stay with him if he'd have her.

"Can you lock up the apartment for me when Chrischris is done?" She stepped toward the door.

"Of course," said Cami. "Be careful."

"I will."

"Hang on." Chrischris hung up the receiver of the phone. "Rick is going to swing by and follow you to Paco's house."

"I know where he lives." She stood in the open doorway.