The Geographer's Library

The Geographer’ s Library
“Yeah.”
“Ms. Rowe’s apartment caught fire last night. Faulty electrical wiring. A
tragedy.” I started up from my chair and trained the gun back on him. “She’s
fine,” he said, raising his hands, palms out, motioning for calm. “She’s fine, as
is her unusual landlady. In perfect health, but the stress of losing her friend
and her home in such proximity have been rather more than she can bear.
Her Christmas vacation has started early.”
“What do you mean? Where is she?”
“As I said, not your concern. It would be a shame, of course, if her name
was tarnished in any way, now that she is unable to defend herself.” I walked
over to him and put the cane’s barrel against his temple. When he winced and
licked his lips, I pressed harder.
“Do you really want to do that?”
I shoved the cane into his head until I heard him whimper. Then, feeling
my adrenaline rise again and knowing what I was about to do, I snatched it
away and sat back down. “Did you kill her?”
“No, of course we didn’t kill her. Such a serious, committed, beautiful
woman. A timeless type of beauty, don’t you think? A timeless character?
Eternal, you might even say.” He winked. “No, I give you my word she is as
healthy and robust as ever she has been, though the week’s events have taken
rather a grievous toll on her emotions. No matter. Anyway, as I said, you
won’t see her again.”
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