Eva's Sins.

LVI

„My friend's enemy is my enemy too"

  A gentle knock on the door brought Christine into the living room, but she hesitated to open the door because since she and Luis broke up, she was afraid to show up in public, knowing very well all the crimes she's done, but also the fact that she's never been loved by anyone in the society, as she never loved someone - except her own person and maybe Luis, but only a little bit.

  However, seeing that the knocks are heard louder and louder and understanding that the unwelcome guest won't give up eventually, Christine summoned up her spirits and asked in a voice breaking with emotion: „who's there?"

  „A friend!" a woman's voice that she didn't know answered.

  Eventually, Christine dared and opened the door, staring at the stranger whose face wasn't seen well because of the outside darkness. However, the stranger took a step in front and showed up right in front of Christine and the blind flame of the candle illuminated her face. But even so, it couldn't be seen well due to the black veil that was covering her face.

  „Mrs. Christine Bircham?" the stranger asked.

  „It's me!" Christine answered confused because she knew a lot of people, but she was sure that she was seeing this woman for the first time because maybe she could forget faces, but she had never forgotten voices. „But... you didn't tell me who you are," Christine insisted.

  „Lorenne Fabeau!" the stranger answered, finally revealing her face and Christine could see her very clear, but something was bothering her in that beautiful woman who, despite the not very young age, was looking extremely well: and what bothered Christine was the woman's eyes who were staring at her as if trying to provoke her even if they met each other only a couple of minutes ago.

  At least, Christine met her only just because the one who had called herself Lorenne Fabeau seemed to know her very well.

  „Can we talk inside?" Lorenne asked in a lower voice because she wanted to do the less possible noise, knowing that she came to London to hide from Keen even if she also knew that he could have also turned back in town or maybe he was looking for her already at that moment. „Not the other, but... it's been a long trip and... let's say I would not like to be seen around."

  Christine smiled. „From what I see, you are looking for a place to hide," she murmured. „But I don't understand why should I help you when I don't even know you."

  „Because... maybe you don't know me personally, but ... I'm sure you know very well the saying: my friend's enemy is my enemy too, and I helped you to get rid of one not long ago."

  This made Christine attentive and she finally opened the door completely, watching her interlocutress from her usual bossy posture. „Enemy? May I know who are you talking about?"

  „Emily Davis! And... Albert Shin! Both are dead and buried, and this means less headache for you and... I won't deny this: for me too."

  „Dead you say?! Well, this sounds interesting, but even so, I don't see a good reason to accept you in my house, more after finding out that you've been so close to Emily."

  „I won't deny this either, but ... I'm more than sure that you'll need an ally in the near future."

  „Ally? And... what are you talking about this time?"

  „About Eva! Eva Stonebridge is back in town, from what I could find out, and... she met Brian Beneath again."

  Christine looked at Lorenne thunderstruck, but even so, she could keep a level head and not show openly her amazement, and so pretty obvious. Then, recovering her inner calmness, she smiled again: „I don't think that'll be a problem for me. I didn't hurt Eva, and my cousin knows this very well. But... let's talk inside," Christine murmured, spotting a man approaching them.