Unidentified Woman #15 Read Online Free Page A

“Wow,” but I really don’t remember.
    The south wall featured floor-to-ceiling bookcases that turned at the east wall and followed it to a large brick fireplace. To the left of the fireplace was a door that led to a small guest bedroom with its own full bath. Against the west wall and elevated three steps above the living area was the most spectacular and elaborate kitchen I had ever seen, including a gas stove—it’s always better to cook with fire.
    Nina led me past the kitchen to a master bedroom that also featured floor-to-ceiling windows. Adjacent to the bedroom was a huge walk-in closet complete with shelves and drawers. The closet led to a bathroom with double sinks and a glass-enclosed shower big enough for two people to play tag in. Beyond that there was a storage area with enough room to park a car.
    “Yeah, but sweetie, it’s Minneapolis,” I said.
    I followed Nina back to the living area, and she began pointing.
    “There’s a half bath and closet for guests on the other side of the kitchen. We can put a desk and computer over there and a dining room set over here and a sofa and chairs for a nice conversation pit near the glass and in the center of the room sofas and chairs facing the fireplace. A big-screen TV goes above the fireplace. Oh, we can put a grill on the balcony. I already measured; there’s plenty of room.”
    “Nina…”
    “There’s twenty-four-hour security; I know that’s important to you. There’s an underground garage, a full gymnasium on the second floor, a party room, and a garden on the roof.”
    “Nina, stop…”
    “I know you’ll like this. If we pool the money we’ll realize from selling our houses, we will not only be able to pay for the condo, but what’s left over we can put into an account that will pay our building fees for the next fifteen years.”
    “It’s beautiful, Nina. It really is. But, sweetie, I can’t live in Minneapolis.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I’m a St. Paul boy.”
    “Then why do you live in Falcon Heights?”
    “I told you, it was an accident. I thought I was buying a place in St. Paul. It wasn’t until I made an offer that I discovered the house was on the wrong side of the street, that I was actually moving to the suburbs.”
    “Why didn’t you withdraw the offer, then? Besides, that was almost seven years ago. You could have sold it after your father passed. You could have moved back to St. Paul. You didn’t.”
    “There’s no sense talking about it. I will not live in Minneapolis.”
    Nina smiled like she knew something that I didn’t and crossed the large living area until she was leaning against the bookcase. She folded her arms across her chest and smiled some more. I got the feeling that I had already lost the argument, yet I didn’t know why.
    “Yes, the bookcases are beautiful and the view is beautiful, but Nina…”
    Nina moved her elbow. I heard a click. The bookcase swung open to reveal a secret room.
    “Whoa,” I said.
    I moved quickly to her side. Nina stepped back and swung the bookcase open farther. The room behind it was about eight feet by ten and carpeted. I tripped a sensor, and a light went on when I stepped inside.
    “You can keep your guns in here,” Nina said. “And the safe with all the cash and fake IDs that no one is supposed to know about. Look.”
    Nina pointed to a corner where there were a half-dozen cable outlets.
    “The place is wired. You can set up cameras and alarms and whatever else you want. The images can be sent to the security desk downstairs if you prefer, or you can monitor everything from here, use it as a panic room. The sales guy said that once the door is locked from the inside, the room is damn near impregnable. I know you like your gadgets and gizmos, McKenzie. This might be the coolest gadget you’ll ever own.”
    “Except that it’s Minneapolis,” I said.
    “You’ll get over it.”
    To my great embarrassment, I did—and haven’t my St. Paul friends been giving