The Demon Hunter

18: "You think that would leave a better impression?"

Lauren stared down at the hand that Simon had reached out to her as a polite and friendly gesture. She didn't know what to say or what to do, even though the invitation was crystal clear. It took her until the silence and the stillness of this moment became awkward to finally react. "Simon!" she answered and finally took his hand to shake it. Her voice failed her when she said his name. "Wel... welcome to our humble home." It was a greeting that she had bestowed upon every new partner of David, but this time she hesitated to give it.

And still, when she touched the warm, soft skin of his hand, she flinched. He was a prisoner, a criminal, a convicted murderer without any regret about his crime... and he was standing here in front of her, free like a normal person, shaking her hand, touching her. If he had any bad intentions, he could carry them out right here and right now, and he already had her by the hand now. She felt a cold shiver going down her spine. Damn it, and my daughter is just upstairs in her room!, she thought while her heart raced.

Simon shook her hand gently, showed her a warm smile... and let go of her hand again when it was appropriate to do so. She felt relieved... and foolish. After all she had tried to do for him so that he would get a second chance, she now treated him like the worst human being on Earth. She really was unfair to him, after all the kindness and consideration he had shown her. She also noticed that David stood nearby, watching them meet and frowning a bit at her reaction. He was right to do so. She didn't really behave as hospitable as the situation called for.

Only Simon seemed to understand. "I guess this is a bit of a surprise for you, Doctor. And I apologize for it." He turned to David and said in a tone as if they had been partners at the police force for years: "I told you we should have phoned ahead."

And amazingly David gave it an embarrassed shrug, just taking this from Simon. "Well... that's not exactly something you can phone in," he tried a weak apology.

Lauren felt like her shoulders dropped and she shrank in front of the two men. "Simon, I'm sorry. It's just... it's really unexpected to see you here. But of course you are more than welcome. Please, make yourself at home!" She invited him to come closer and take a seat in the living room. Which he did, in a very joyful manner. He looked like someone who after the long time in prison enjoyed to be in the comfort of a normal family household.

And still he knew how to show his best behavior. He took off his jacket, revealing normal everyday clothing underneath instead of the orange prisoner jumpsuit that Lauren had expected. Apparently David had also taken care of getting him new clothes. A black pullover, blue jeans, black leather shoes. All of them looked like fresh from a store. On an inviting gesture from David he handed his jacket to him and finally took a seat on the sofa. "It's a very nice home you have here, Doctor Miller," he then complimented her.

Lauren smiled. "It's Lauren here, please. We don't have to be so formal." There were still thousands of questions roaming in her head. Even though their last encounter hadn't ended so quickly and so unpleasantly, there still hadn't been enough time to even cover a fracture of the things she had wanted to ask him. But right now, only one question was suitable if she wanted to be the kind of host that made her guest feel welcome: "Would you like something to drink?"

He looked at her, and in his eyes was something of a plead. "I'd love to. Anything but water or coffee. Thanks!"

Because those were the only two things the prison offered for drinks. Lauren fully understood. She gave David a nod to follow her into the kitchen, and he did. She pulled out a bottle of orange juice from the fridge, put a few ice cubes into a highball glass and poured the juice into it. Hopefully he drinks it without wodka, she thought. As she returned to the living room with the glass and the bottle on a little tray, Simon looked thankful and expectant. It was obvious that he had been looking forward to something like this for a long time. She had never seen a glass of orange juice making someone so happy.