IT HAD A BEEN A WEEK SINCE MOLLY SUMMERS’S BODY HAD been found. Dani was at the grocery store. Ruby was waiting in the car, complaining of a headache. I’ll get you something for it, Dani had said before she left the car.
Dani was walking through the aisles when a tall man ran his cart into hers. Dani looked up.
I’m sorry, the man said. I need to pay more attention to where I’m going.
He had a ball cap pulled low. He had cold blue eyes like deep ice. He was bald, void of hair. Even his eyebrows were gone. Well over six feet. It was hard to look at him too long. And finally Dani looked back down into her cart and said,
That’s fine.
She was pushing past him when he put out his hand and touched her arm. Said,
Don’t you work at the shelter?
Yes, Dani said. Have you been? You don’t look familiar.
No, he said. But I’ve seen you when I drive by from time to time. You’re usually out helping those on the sidewalk. That’s God’s work there. It’s very admirable.
Thank you, Dani said. It was nice talking.
She tried to push past on the other side but the man turned his cart and blocked her. Dani glanced up with a harried sort of look. Closer to him now she could see his eyes from under his baseball hat. The blue had gone dark. Like burnt wood. Deep within smoldered something wicked that she couldn’t explain. So wicked Dani had to look away and could not look in his eyes again.
How did you get into that kind of work? he asked.
I got to get going, she said. My shift starts soon.
The man looked down at his watch. It’s 5:15, he said. Kind of late to start a shift.
I just got to get going.
Where are you going?
Work, Dani said. I said that already.
Yes, he said. I guess you did.
He did not move. Dani’s eyelids fluttered like moths. He said, If I were to guess your name, would you tell me if I was correct?
Why do you want to know my name?
I’m not saying I do. I’m just asking if you would tell me if I was correct.
Listen I got to—
But he interrupted her and said, Stevie?
Stevie?
No, he said. That’s not it.
She tried to force a smile. She said, I’m going to be late.
Tony, he said.
Then he said, No, that’s not it either. Is it?
Is there something wrong? Dani asked.
Something wrong?
Yeah.
What would be wrong?
I don’t know. Did I upset you somehow?
Do you think you did?
I’m not sure, she said.
Then why would you ask if you upset me?
Listen, she said, I don’t know what you’re onto but I’m—
Please, the man said, forgive me. He held his hands up as if in submission. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just saw you and recognized you and wanted to say hello. I’m new in town and I don’t know anyone. Gets lonely, I suppose. Just thought I’d say hi is all.
He moved his cart aside.
Maybe I’ll come by the shelter sometime, he said.
Dani pushed past him. When she was a cart’s length away he said,
We’ll see you around, Dani.
She stopped her cart and turned back to him, though it pained her to do so. It was like holding one’s hand over a fire.
How do you know my name? she asked.
I don’t.
You just said it.
Lucky guess.
She turned away and pushed her cart on, one of the broken castors spinning in circles and rattling the cans and jars in the basket. The noise of it seemed to rise up into a roar as she pushed the cart faster. At the end of the aisle she turned back but all she saw were stocked shelves as though there had never been anyone there at all. As though the whole thing had been imagined. As though her mind had been playing tricks on her.
Ruby was sitting in the car and when Dani came back she sat there for a while watching the storefront, not saying anything. Ruby looked up and said,
Did you get some aspirin?
What? Dani said. She was looking in the side mirrors. The rearview. Back again at the storefront.
What are you looking for? Ruby asked.
Nothing, Dani said.
What is it?
Nothing.
Dani started the car.
Put your head in my lap, Dani said.
What?
Just put your head in my lap.
Dani put the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot. When they were out of sight of the supermarket Dani took her hand away from Ruby’s head and Ruby sat up.
What was that for? Ruby asked.
I don’t know, Dani said.
What do you mean you don’t know?
Just a bad feeling is all.
Bad feeling about what?
Dani watched the rearview as they drove down the road. Ruby turned in her seat and looked out the back window.
What are you looking at? Ruby asked.
Nothing, Dani said.
When they got to Dani’s apartment, Dani locked the door and went to the window and looked through the blinds. The glow of the town fighting against the fog. Lights of cars. Red taillights. Above that a sky black as soot holding nothing but countless drops of rain. Couldn’t see a thing out there even if there was something to see.
What are you looking at? Ruby asked again. What’s going on?
Nothing, Dani said.
I’m starting to not believe you.
Dani stayed at the window.
Is someone out there? Ruby’s voice heightened. Talk to me, would you? You’re making me nervous.
Just someone at the store, Dani said. Creeped me out.
Did you know them?
No. But he knew me. He knew my name.
How did he know your name?
I don’t know. Said he recognized me from the shelter.
That seems normal.
No. He’s never been to the shelter. I’d have remembered him. Looked different from anyone else I’ve ever seen.
And you never seen him before?
No.
Dani moved away from the window and sat down on the sofa and looked down at her tattooed hands.
He terrified me, Dani said. I felt like I was standing on the edge of something and looking into oblivion. His eyes were like pits and looking into them I felt like I’d never be happy again.
Ruby went to the window and was about to look for herself when Dani said, No! Don’t!
You’re scaring me, Ruby said.
I’m sorry, Dani said.
Should I be? Scared, that is?
Ruby stood in the middle of the room and watched Dani. Her hands were trembling.
I want to go talk to the police tomorrow, Dani said.
The police? Why?
We have to tell someone about you. About what has happened.
No, Ruby said. She started to pace. She started shaking her head. No, she said. We can’t do that.
What if he’s still out there and someone knows something? Or maybe he’s not and someone caught him and then we don’t have to worry?
He’s not caught. If he were caught we’d hear about it.
So you’re just going to give up?
You weren’t there! Ruby screamed. Her voice sounded like sheet metal being shook.
Ruby collapsed onto the floor and Dani threw her arms around her. In her arms, Ruby felt to Dani as small as a child huddled against the sounds of thunder.