i don't remember the ride to the loft or letting myself into david's or falling as if dead onto the couch. when i awaken, i simply find myself there, bone weary, despite having slept for ten hours. i drag myself into the bathroom, stripping off avery's dress. balling it up, i stuff the thing into the trash. then i take a long, hot shower. lately it seems i can't get the water hot enough. still, even the scalding heat doesn't quite wash away the feel of avery's hands on my body.

i'm not sure anything will.

after, i pull on the only clothes i can find in david's room that fit-a pair of gloria's designer sweats and a raider sweatshirt-and haul myself down to the garage to get the hummer.

max is sitting by david's bedside when i get to beso de la muerta. i'm not even that surprised to see him. after what i've been through the last few days, it will take a lot to surprise me from now on.

david is asleep, tubes still attached, but his breathing is deep and regular.

max reads the question in my eyes and says, "he's going to be all right. the doc says he'll be out for another day or two, but when he awakens, he'll be as good as new."

he gets up and puts an arm around my shoulders. "culebra told me you've had quite a time of it."

i don't respond to that, i don't know how. instead i ask, "what are you doing here?"

he gives me a kiss on the forehead. "i guess you haven't had a chance to see a paper in the last couple of days. the operation is over. i'm just here to clean up a few loose ends."

"and you know about this place?"

he nods.

" all about this place?"

he shrugs. "if you mean do i know that there are some rather interesting specimens that occasionally use beso de la muerta as a hideout, the answer is yes."

i'm wondering if he's going to ask me how i found out about it when culebra joins us.

he bends at the waist in a little bow toward me. "anna. how nice to see you. i explained to max that you followed donaldson down here and that david was injured trying to apprehend him. i'm afraid it's probably the last we've seen of that one."

i send him a quick thank you, which he acknowledges with a smile. then i turn to max, "so, you two were working together?"

"culebra has helped us on several projects."

"only, of course, when max's interest doesn't conflict with mine," culebra adds.

"of course," max responds. then he gestures toward david. "i have to get back to san diego. will you be staying here with david?"

"for a little while. i'll bring him home as soon as he can travel."

he touches my cheek. "i heard about the fire. where are you living?"

"at david's for now. then, i'll probably move home with my folks until the cottage is rebuilt."

he nods and after exchanging a few words with culebra in spanish, he kisses my cheek and is gone.

culebra raises an eyebrow at me. "you aren't staying at-" he starts to say "avery's," then corrects himself, "your other place?"

i shake my head. "i don't think i could stand to be there. i don't know what i'm going to do about that yet." i narrow my eyes and look hard at him. "how do you know so much? are you reading all that in my head?"

he laughs. "it's a blessing and a curse."

"do you really think david will be all right?"

"he'll be fine. he won't remember anything that happened to him at avery's. you'll have to come up with a story about how he was injured. other than that, you'll have your friend back good as new."

"maybe it would be better if i took him home before he fully regains consciousness. i don't know how i would explain it if he woke up here."

culebra nods. "come back tomorrow afternoon. he will be able to travel then."

"you're sure?"

he taps the side of his head. "i'm always sure."

must be nice.

i start to go and then i remember. i owe you a favor.

he smiles. i haven't forgotten. and there's no hurry to collect, now, is there?

no, i guess there isn't.