Chapter 44 Chapter Forty-Three

I have a house.They had no evidence against me and now I am the owner.Although the house is not big and not very good, it is not in a prime location, and it has never been the home I want to live in.But it's mine.How much can it sell for?It has three bedrooms and a garden, and I don't believe in ghosts.Disgusting smells are also scrubbed away.Worth a hundred thousand pounds?Then I don't need the money in Estelle's jacket at all, but I don't have to scoff at it either, it'll be useful sooner or later.Heck, £120,000.Not bad, really good.From Ingrid.De.Soto's family would definitely not be able to get so much money.What a trick.

I reminded myself: It should be said that nature can play tricks on people.There is still work to be done.There are still stumbling blocks to clear, and Wenzhen.As soon as Estelle heard about Wenzhen, she would remember it. I was frightened and exhausted before Kamsky tapped me on the shoulder; but now the smog is gone.I'm back in top shape.I felt clear thoughts in my head, my heartbeat returned to a steady state, and my lethargic fatigue lifted like a morning mist. I glanced at my watch.It was well past midnight.It was too late to go to Estelle now.She slept peacefully somewhere, got into bed, her eyes were closed tightly, her slender and beautiful limbs were relaxed under the sheets, not knowing what would happen to her tomorrow.It is too late for me to seek shelter now.At one point I considered spending the night at Melanie's.No matter how late, she welcomes me.In fact, she was probably lying awake in bed, waiting for a call or a visit from me.But I can't go to Melanie's, not tonight and not ever.She has gone into history.I can't bring myself to remember her face, her watery eyes, her timid smile, her hand that held me.

I found a shabby coffee shop with filthy windows, open at this late hour.There were only two people in the shop. An old man with long gray hair tied back in a greasy ponytail was sitting at a table stirring sugar into a cup of creamy coffee; there was a young woman at the counter.She has blond hair piercing her head, and she curls her lips sullenly. Is there any food for sale?I ask her. The cook came home from get off work.I can make you a sandwich if you want. good. Bacon? good. But we'll be closing soon. learn. Toast didn't taste fresh.The bacon was tough and greasy, cold, and crumbs stuck between your teeth.The woman moved the chair upside down to the table and cleaned the crumbs from my feet.The greasy-headed man shuffled out.When I am rich someday, I want to go to a high-end restaurant with bright and clean windows, let the waiter in a dark suit pour me wine, bow to me, and respectfully call me Mr.I had no appetite and ate slowly, just to pass the time; then I ordered a cup of coffee, but I didn't need it to pick me up.I was wide awake and full of energy.The next twenty-four hours lay before me like a clear and straight path.I feel for the wrench in my pocket and check the phone to make sure it has enough power.There were a few missed calls from Melanie, but I ignored them.

Just after one o'clock in the morning, the waitress walked listlessly to the door, flipped the sign from open to closed, and asked me to leave. I walk on the street.Past people waiting in line outside nightclubs, past a group of drunks in suits, past destitute homeless men lingering at doorways littered with cigarette butts.I walked all the way to the river, sat on a bench, and looked at my watch.It's three o'clock in the morning.In about two hours, it will be dawn.I close my eyes and replay everything in my mind.When I opened my eyes again, it was already 5:30, and there was a bright light on the horizon.I have no idea how much time has passed, and I have no memory of the dream, but I must have fallen asleep.I stand up and stretch, make sure my shirt is buttoned up, and take a comb from my breast pocket to comb my hair.Then turn back the same way.At 7:20, I stopped at a coffee shop and ordered a cup of tea, but could barely sip it.My stomach is burning.I bought peppermint gum from the newsstand: Gum chewing instead of brushing this morning.I also bought a bottle of water to rinse my mouth.I was like a runner waiting to get in position on the starting blocks.

At 8:30, I went to the public phone booth and called Estelle according to the number displayed on the mobile phone. Hello? Estelle!Did I wake you up? David, is that you? right.My cell phone is out of order and I'm calling you from a public phone. I have been unable to sleep. Me too.Listen, I know we have to meet up later, but I wish I could go find you first.There's something I think I should let you know. I thought she would at least ask me to explain, and I had already prepared the answer, but I didn't expect that she didn't ask much.Her voice is warm and natural.OK.Then what time do you come here?ten o'clock?Is it half past ten?Then we can go back to Maitland Road together.

Very good.No, you'd better tell me your address there.If she had company, I'd have to change my plan. Oh, sorry.She snorted strangely.I stayed at my friend Saul's house and you met him twice.He will be away for the next few weeks, and I will help him feed the cats and water the plants.Feel sorry.Talk too much.I live on Cabrett Road, just off Stoke Newington Church Street.Household A on the 66th. The plot is classic enough to make me smile.I spent the night wandering the streets, while Estelle found a place with plants and cats.I have never belonged to the same world as someone who grows flowers and raises cats, or knows someone who grows flowers and raises cats.

I walked to Stoke Newington.It was only three kilometers away, and the walk cleared my mind.Once I got to Main Street, I walked into a really cool men's clothing store.I bought myself an olive green shirt that smelled of clean cotton.I look at myself in the mirror and admire how I look.I am very satisfied with this thin man with a good complexion and sincere gray eyes, and I lean forward and smile at my reflection Oh, yes, a shy and endearing smile that seems to say: You can trust me, You can rely on Me, and you can share with Me what is bothering you.I will not let you down.I will not let myself down.I've worked so hard to get this far, and now the journey is coming to an end and I'm exhausted.

At nine fifty I turned the corner from Church Street, Stoke Newington, onto Cabrett Road.I passed House A on No. 66, but it was still too early; I continued walking without looking up.At 9:57, I stopped, put the last two sticks of gum in my mouth, chewed vigorously, and spit on the sidewalk.Then I walked back on Cabrett Road.When we came to house No. 66, there was a small shoe repair shop that looked like it originated from the Middle Ages.The dark blue door on the left bears the inscription 66a in gold.I stood in front of the door for a few seconds.Straighten the jacket over the shirt.Take a few deep breaths.He tousled his hair.Lick your lips, adjust your expression.Then press the bell.

A few seconds later, I heard Estelle's footsteps running down the stairs, and she was sure to be right: light and quick.She opened the door.She was barefoot, wearing a green cardigan with a turtleneck that was so short that a little of her bronzed belly was exposed, and faded jeans.I can't help thinking to myself; on this day of choosing one out of ten thousand, we actually have a good understanding.But she didn't seem to be the same as before, and I noticed something unusual about her after a little observation.She was beaming at me and couldn't be happier that I was here.Of course, she had always been very friendly and approachable; but in Maitland Road, the two of us rarely had a chance to be alone, and I always felt like a stranger in her life.But today it's just me and her.No one is just leaving, and no one is coming.She stared at me intently, then put her hands on my shoulders and kissed me on either cheek.Hello, Davy, she said, glad you're here.I'm so frustrated with all of this.

But she didn't look depressed.Her face glowed with health and youth.The hair is black and shiny, the lips are shiny and dazzling.She smells of lemon and rose. This is for sure.As I spoke, I stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind me.I follow her upstairs.The locks of her curls against the nape of her neck were still wet; she must have just had a shower, I thought.Her back is so slender.She led me into a kitchen-sitting room.The room is a bit messy and disorganized.Geraniums grew on the windowsill; a ginger cat curled up and purred on a loose corduroy sofa.It opened one yellow eye and looked at me, then closed it again.

Estelle looked at me with concern.where were you last night I vaguely said that I was staying overnight at a friend's house. You look so bad. thanks.I said. Do you want to take a shower or something? I have already washed it. She smiled.I don't mean to accuse you.please sit down.Try to ignore the chaos at Sol's house.She tossed a coat and a bag off the sofa.coffee?Tea?juice?There should be a juice bar, I haven't checked the fridge thoroughly yet. coffee.I want to delay this moment; to admire her serving me, to admire the way her cardigan clings to her chest as she holds the glass. A little creamer but no sugar, right? You all remember. Of course it is.She smiled at me, and I felt my throat tighten with desire. How long are you going to be here? do not know.At least two weeks.After that I have no plans.Not sure what to do next.Maybe I should grow up and try to sort out my life.what you think? think? Think what should I do next. I stared at her intently, remembering every detail of her face.Estelle, I don't think you need to plan what's going to happen in a few minutes. She turned around, scooped a few spoonfuls of ground coffee into the coffee pot, filled it with boiling water, and stirred vigorously.Might be a little thick. She sat down on the couch next to me and pushed the cat aside without waking it up.Her legs brush against mine; her shoulders are within millimeters of mine.I gazed at the curve of her neck, the long dark eyelashes as she bowed her head to sip her coffee.The heat hit her face, moistening her skin.You are shaking.I whispered to her. Have it?She raised the hand that was not holding the cup.Really.David, I'm tired.Tired and scared, lonely and overwhelmed.She put her hands on my lap.Do you know that feeling? I put my hand on hers.I get it, Estelle, I've felt that way my whole life.I burst into tears, but I didn't want to hold back the tears.I'm fed up with pretending.My moment, my beautiful day, has come.I put down my coffee cup and wrap my hands around hers. I should have paid more attention.she says.She let me move her hand to my lips and hold it there for a while.You are the only one in your family who survived unscathed.Other people either break down physically or mentally, or become a different person, except you.You are always calm and kind.This is especially true for me.Do you think I didn't notice? Estelle, do you know why I'm so nice to you? I think I know the answer.Her hand was on my cheek.She stared at me, then leaned forward and planted a small kiss on my lips.I pull her close to me.She parted her lips, and I felt her breasts against my chest.I ran my hands into her hair and kissed her again more roughly and tasted blood, but that didn't matter.My Estelle.my fate.My end is also my beginning. I push her onto the couch.Kiss her lightly first, then start doing the things I've dreamed about since the first time I saw her.I put my hands on her breasts.She smiled at me vaguely, and I reached under her cardigan, touching her warm, smooth belly, and the rough material of her bra.i want her.I want to fulfill all my desires in her at once.My hands moved down to her jeans and started fumbling for the buttons.Wait, she said dreamily, David, we have plenty of time.We have all the time. I have been waiting for a long time.I said. I know, she said, I know all. She sat up straight, stroked my hair and kissed me at the same time.I think, this is what I owe you.she says. Owe me?I found myself speechless. She took off my jacket and undid the first button of my shirt in a soft and graceful movement.You get rid of Miles for me, right? Maybe, I said, does it matter? She smiled and started kissing me again.I can taste her, moist and sweet.She undid the second button.it's very important to me.As she spoke, she kissed my lips and face.Her kiss came to my ear, and she whispered in my ear: Tell me.People need to know.People want to know everything about you. it's actually really easy.I said. She undid the third button and pulled my shirt open.She pressed her lips to my neck.I groan.Can't help it. So, how do you do it? She lay down on the sofa behind her again.I bent down and kissed her lips, kissed her hair, and smelled the fragrance of her hair.The clean and soft smell was like a drug, making me dizzy and intoxicated.She murmured. The key is Wenzhen.I said. Um? I fiddled with her buttons, and this time she didn't try to stop me.I undid the buttons, then pulled the zipper down.I saw her blue panties with lace tops.I reach out and touch it.The body hair covered in panties is warm under my hands. tell me.she says. Wenzhen.I said while kissing her.You have seen it in my room.I put it in Miles' bedroom.I put my hand inside her panties. No, she said, my top.Take it off first. I undo the first button.She leaned back, raised her hands, propped the back of her head, and opened her body to me. Peggy was just an inadvertent mistake, I said as I undid the second button, and then the third, but the body was in his room, so the traces had already left. you did itshe asked. right.I said. Great, Davy, she said, great. I don't know if she means it's great for me to caress and kiss her beautiful body, or it's great for her now that she finally understands that I'm the one who sees it all.I undo the last button, unzip and take off the cardigan. No, that was an inadvertent mistake.Leah and Ingrid. My hand wanders to the delicate blue filaments of her bra. What's this?When I found a black belt on her back, I couldn't help asking questions.I watched her, and saw her expression suddenly changed, like a dark cloud covering the sun, I realized what it was, and suddenly felt that something bad was about to happen.Everything is about to fall apart.Darkness will come like an icy tide and envelop everything. I reach for my jacket for the screwdriver in my pocket.I can let her die with me.knock.She would raise her hand and her wrist would be smashed to pieces.Another blow, hitting her in the face and immobilizing her.Then, under my attack, her beautiful features will turn into bloody jam.But I can't get my jacket on; the bitch kicks it aside. I got up off the couch and gave her a push on the back so her head hit the wooden railing; then I heard the door slamming, heavy footsteps.The door was opened vigorously, and it hit the wall with a bang, and the crowd rushed up.I let myself be pushed against a wall.They pushed me so hard that something fell off the shelf and broke.The pain in the back of my head was like cold water, but clear thoughts trickled down into my confused head like a trickle. You are under arrest.said a familiar voice.Kamsky.It's like a surprise party.You think you're going to spend the night alone, and suddenly all your friends jump out.You thought that no one would hear what you were saying, but people have been eavesdropping, snooping, spying, and watching. No!I said no.Listen to me, it was a misunderstanding.Stupid misunderstanding, I was just playing along with the show and having fun with Estelle.I purposely spoke obscenities to excite her.You understand.That was just a joke. Estelle covered her face with her hands and sat on the sofa.Kamsky watched her with concern.Are you all right? She stood up, then remembered her current situation.A female police officer stepped forward to remove the wires and microphone.She had to get behind Estelle to undo the equipment from her bra.All the while Estelle was looking at me thoughtfully, as if she was gazing at me through the bars of a cage.Her lips were drawn in. You and she spoke, but stopped talking. Well done, Estelle, Kamsky said, very well, dear. He touched me just now, she hissed, and I let him touch me.I let him touch me. Her hand moved to her lips.After meeting my eyes for a second, he rushed out of the room.I could hear the sound of vomiting.Then the door locks and the sound of a shower.Not very pleasant sound.The officer got to work, searching my pockets, poking and poking me with his dirty hands, and glaring at me with ill intentions.Unpleasantly, my head started shaking.A nerve twitched just above the lips.I tried to bite it to keep it from moving, but it wouldn't listen. You bloody scumbag.Someone said so.A man in uniform waved my screwdriver in front of me.What is this for? What is my job title, I can't remember.How is this going?Sheets of plaster peel off my head; words and thoughts cascade down.Builder, I manage to pronounce those three words, will have tools in his pocket. Admit it honestly, Kamsky said, and save us trouble.Save your friends from jail. I had to pretend to be puzzled.I tried to put on a dazed look.My face is like rubber and cardboard.I'm like someone who has had a stroke and my mouth feels numb. Keeping the guilty out of prison?Finally I said.I laughed a few times, trying to laugh out loud.Kamsky retreated slightly.Dude why would I do this? Kamsky's expression was mixed with anger and a hint of surprise.You're the kind of guy who's never going to give it a go, right? My kind of person.What does he mean, someone like me?He knew nothing about me, and never will.Nobody is like me.I am unclassifiable, different, they will never understand. What you just said, I said, what was said about me is incriminating.I hope someone will take my position, I keep saying you guys are wrong and I am totally innocent. It's all on tape.Kamsky said. I said it, I said it, I was just kidding. We've made you confess.You don't have an alibi.We got you from Leah.Underwear stolen from Petersen.correct.We talked to your girlfriend.It looks like she doesn't quite believe the alibi you're trying to create. Stupid little bitch.I said.My tongue thickens.There's saliva on my chin, but I wipe it off.I found underwear at a great sale at home. Kamsky smiled slightly. Leah.Peterson's credit card records show she bought the underwear just the day before her death.David, we've got you.You might as well tell me what good things you have done.The victim's family was released. I am falling.A steel band tightened around my skull, and the moment to let go never came. No, I said, no no no.You are all wrong.I didn't kill people. Indeed not.not completely.