«But I made money,» she justified herself.
«Hell with all money in the world!» he shouted at her, and Nina cried. He hugged and rocked his wife, then he took her into his arms with one motion. Jeff and Bill were surprised at how strong this skinny guy was, because, despite her short height, the plump Nina was very heavy.
«Your payment,» Bill said timidly, involuntarily becoming scared under the mad glare of Vlad’s blue eyes, glowing like the flame of a cutting torch. Carrying his wife with one arm, Vlad shoved the check into his pocket and left without saying a word.
* * * * *
Jeff Menard found the room and knocked as he went in. He saw a professor with a model explaining how to draw four-legged objects. All the students looked at the police officer, but he saw only Vera gazing at him.
«I’m sorry,» Jeff addressed to the professor. «Can I talk with Vera Grach?»
He saw her eyes go round with surprise as she quickly walked to him. They went into the corridor, and Jeff explained to her the reason for his visit.
«Are you sure she will be okay?» Vera asked with concern. He nodded and she returned to the room, closing the door in front of him, not saying even goodbye.
The excitement from the meeting with her left the policeman.
«What did you expect?» he thought with vexation. «That she would fall onto your chest? Well, she did it in the police station, but she was drunk, upset, and angry with her husband. Now she has recovered her wits, and you are just nobody to her…»
He turned and slowly plodded away.
Suddenly he heard the door slam, and a soft voice called out to him. «Jeff!»
Not believing his ears, he spun to the sound, and next he did not believe his eyes. Smiling, Vera walked toward him quickly, almost running. She leered at him.
«Gosh!» she noticed. «What long legs you have… you big black wolf. All the better to run after you, my child!» She snorted at those thoughts and neared the recovered policeman.
«Sorry, I didn’t say thanks,» she uttered, sensually looking at his beaming face. A hot surge of happiness passed through the policeman. She lifted her arm and touched his mouth, adoring his plum lips. He held his breath, frightened of scaring off this fantastic feeling.
«See you,» she said in a whisper, and ran back. An enchanted Jeff did not even remember how he left the building.
Outside he looked around at the blooming nature, and laughed with euphoria. Closing his eyes, he lifted his face to the drops of the soft spring rain, and the tender streams ran down onto his neck, tickling his skin.