Moth(51)

I nod and wait.

She’s playing with her hands, a telltale sign she’s uneasy. “I mentioned before I wasn’t who I used to be. It probably didn’t make any sense to you, but I’m ready to explain. I owe it to you for bringing me here out of harm’s way.”

“So you’re not Windy? Did you change your name?”

“Sort of. My real name is Nina. I was born in Guatemala and brought to the states when I was just a baby. My grandmother and my father raised me and my cousin, Nico. Growing up everyone thought we were twins. Nina and Nico Corsivo, cousins born on the same day, only four hours apart. We resembled each other enough so we just went with it. Nobody knew any different.”

“Are you still close?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “We were. We used to be, before…”

She stops and I can tell it’s off limits.

“Did you legally change your name?”

She seems withdrawn even though I get an immediate answer. “No. It’s complicated. I just wanted you to know the truth. I haven’t told anyone my secret, but you’ve been good to me and I appreciate it.”

“What happened to your mother?” It can’t hurt to ask.

“She died when I was a baby, alongside Nico’s mom.”

I assume it was tragically. The lines of communication seem to be breaking as we sit close. It’s apparent this woman doesn’t let people in. I know it means she’s trusting me, but feel bad I’m lying as well. I can’t blow my cover though. It may be unfair, but I’m determined to solve this case.

"Nina fits you better I think."

She's smiling as she looks away, again portraying proof that there's much more she wants to say but won’t.

"It would be nice to hear someone call me that again."

"And what about Windy? ?Is it a fake name?"

Nina shakes her head. She's squinting her eyes as she looks at me. I recognize it as something I do when I'm attempting to read someone. I keep my cool so she doesn't get suspicious of my motives. "Windy Lewis is a real person who works her ass off as a college student and intern at a reputable pharmaceutical lab."

"And Nina?"

She smirks. "In a lot of ways Nina no longer exists."

I stand and cross my arms. "I think I'm going to hunt down some alcohol. It seems like a good time to get shit-faced, don't you think?" If I don't appear offended she's been lying to me then she'll think something is up. Since I'm finally getting somewhere I don't want f*ck it up.

I find the liquor cabinet easily, grab an unopened bottle of Jack Daniels and walk out onto the overlooking back deck. The sun has set and it's pitch black facing the woods behind the cabin. I stare out at nothing as I take a long gulp of the Kentucky bourbon.

My mind is bombarded with theories, but until I know the truth it would only be a waste of energy to speculate. I've now confirmed fake Windy is Nina. She's opening the door and letting me in, and I'm determined to be patient until I can understand her involvement in my brother's murder.

It takes her a few minutes before she seeks me out. I hear the sound of the metal sliding door screeching. Her footsteps vibrate off the old wood as she gets closer. "Are you mad at me, Moth?"

I'm still leaning on the railing, staring straight into the dark abyss. "I'm not angry. I'm a little disappointed I f*cked a woman who didn't have the decency to tell her real name, but I figure you must have your reasons, just like you won't tell me who is after you."

"It's for your own safety. I swear."

If I lead on that I knew about this it will prove I’ve been hiding my own motives. Thought it’s difficult, I stand firm on being content with what she’s told me. “I appreciate you letting me in. I was beginning to think I was helping some crazy person, as if you have paranoid schizophrenia or some shit like that. Maybe you lured me away so you could kill me slowly.”

She snickers. “I guess you’ll find out if your theory is true tonight. It’s getting late, and unless you want me sleeping in the truck, we’ve got some cleaning to do.”

She’s right. Some large furniture has been covered with sheets, but the place needs a good shining. I don’t want to consider what is living underneath the beds. “Where do you want to start?”

“That depends,” her quiet voice insinuates. “Are we sleeping together or apart?”

I scratch my head. “Is this a trick question?”

Her newly found smile is appreciated. “No.”

“If it’s up to me you’ll be sharing the same sheets, that’s if we don’t kick them off when we tuck each other in later.”

She walks over to the kitchen sink and bends down to retrieve some supplies and a bucket. When she traipses back in my direction I can tell she’s on a mission. “You want me in those sheets, you better get to work.”

I take the bucket but steal a quick kiss on her cheek before heading outside to get some water. When I return she’s already sprayed something and has begun wiping down the furniture. I take it upon myself to impress her by lifting the mattress and leaning it up against the wall so we can make sure there isn’t any critters living inside or underneath. Now down to the frame, I’m able to remove the rails and start pushing it to the side of the room so we can make sure there isn’t a speck of dust. If it gets me laid, you better believe I’m going to go to extremes to get the job done right.