What?
I read the label. Not just any cigars—expensive ones.
Where the fuck did he get the money for these?
He smokes?
Jesus, what next?
He said he lost his phone. Is that a lie too, or did it just get wet? I dial his number again. “Hello,” a woman answers.
I frown, surprised. “Hello, I . . .” I hesitate, unsure what to say. “You found my phone?”
“Yes, dear,” the woman replies. She sounds elderly.
“Thank you so much.” I hesitate. “It’s actually a friend’s phone. Can I come pick it up?”
“Of
course. I am at Sixty Napier Street.”
“Whereabouts is that?”
“Suffolk County.”
I screw up my face. Suffolk County . . . that’s at least fifteen miles from here. “Where did you find it?” I ask.
“On the street, in the gutter, just half an hour ago.”
“Was it raining there last night?”
“Yes, poured all night. Luckily the phone was in the ziplock bag.”
What?
This isn’t making any sense at all. “Okay, see you soon.” I hang up, scribble the address down, and walk inside to Claire. “I’m just going to the grocery store. I’ll need to take your car. Do you want anything?”
“No, thanks.” She sighs heavily, as if she has the weight of the world on her shoulders.
I take her into my arms and softly kiss her. “He’s home now, babe. You can relax.” I brush the hair back from her face.
She smiles up at me. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Feels good hearing that. I smile and kiss her again. “Back soon.”
Half an hour later I pull up to the address and knock on the front door. “Hello,” the lady answers.
“Hi, I’m here for the phone. Thank you so much for answering my call.”
“Oh, that’s okay, dear.” She smiles warmly. “I’ll just get it.” She disappears inside and then returns and hands it over. I stare at the phone in my hand. Carefully placed in a ziplock bag.
“Where did you find it?” I ask.
“Up on the corner of Elm and Second.”
“Okay, thanks. I really appreciate it.” I walk out and get into my car and put the street names into the GPS.
What are you up to, Wizard?