Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Chris Pavone
Americans.
life, and had thought, Who in their right mind would ever
once.
with granola bars and fruit, both fresh and dried, plus
brown M&M’s; all the more popular colors had been eaten
husband and wife shared the same name. She was already
giving up the rest of her identity, and the name was merely
incremental.
character, or a cheerleader.
forms.
not been easy, nor quick. But when the exit interviews and
own.
because one thing led to another. She hadn’t made her life
nine A .M . Amphetamines.
about what she really does, and who she really is.
# # #
“Yes.”
“Luxembourg?”
“That’s right.”
from Dexter, from the shame at the hole she was digging for
herself. “Switzerland?”
slip, the blade sliding silently into the meat of her left
the New York hotel, when she should’ve looked away, but
didn’t.
was too small for that; this was the smile of Dexter
of a fake smile.
Luxembourg?”
the time.”
How?”
Both of them had at one time been ambitious. But after ten
Katherine had begun this lie, she’d have to play along with
sounds made-up.”
“If you get bored? You can get a job. Washington isn’t
papers.”
first.
Dexter kissed her neck, ran his hand down her stomach,
# # #
The street turns gently and then ends abruptly, just like
outdoor market.
unfamiliar cities; she once had the footwear for it. She
could join. Kate knew who he was; everyone did. His name
came short and shallow, her palms began to sweat. She had a
allowed her blouse to fall open. She touched his arm, for
too long.
eyes eager.
into his stomach and pulled the trigger twice before he had
# # #
ever.
strangeness.
# # #
resigning.”
honest.
follow it through.
don’t know . . .”
“A long time.”
He nodded curtly.
of life.”
final decision, had sat in bed and wrung her hands, bolt-
different challenge.
purpose.
interviews?”
door.”
“Have you seen her?” the Italian asks. “The new American?”
sugar; this doesn’t look like the stuff you use for baking
brownies, which Kate has done twice in her life, for school
plus gothic lettering that she can’t make out because from
everywhere; the kid has a cold. And she hasn’t come across
an adjective?
addressed. “No.”
ideas.
Kate can’t help but wonder what these women said about
her, two weeks ago, when she arrived to the first day of
miles away.
Luxembourg?”
“I have no idea.”
# # #
items on the list; they have crossed off fifteen. They have
stone tiles, sending not only chunks and shards and slivers
sponges and the cheap vacuum that came with the rented
weeks.
their wives do every day, during the six hours when the
coffee, all the time. The gym. The mall. Sitting around
message button. “Hi, it’s me. Sorry, but I’m not going to
Erase.
vomit.
life.
was about that hotel room. For the past five years,
expected.
Katherine nodded.