“I will,” Carmen said and then she left.
Dan looked at Max. “What are you waiting for? Go with her,” he said and clicked on
another video. Max gave Dan a dirty look and rushed out to catch up with Carmen.
“I see you decided to join me,” Carmen said as Max caught up with her.
“Dan didn’t give me a choice,” Max said, and they got in his car. “So, where to?”
“UPS store on West 86th.”
“I’m kinda surprised that Dan didn’t stop you … what am I saying … I’m surprised that he didn’t try to stop you from going,” Max said as he drove.
“I was too. Especially since everybody,” she glanced at Max, “including you, wants me to back off and go to Paris.”
“Well, maybe you should consider taking their advice, Carmen. Like I said two people are dead, and you could be too. But I know that you’re not gonna back off, so fuck it, we’re on our way to check out CTI’s P. O. box.”
“Thanks, Max.”
“For what?”
“For always having my back, no matter how stupid or dangerous it might be. You’re always right here for me and I appreciate it,” Carmen said sincerely.
“Sometimes it’s both,” Max said.
“What’s both?”
“Sometimes it’s both dangerous and stupid.”
“I know,” Carmen dropped her head.
“But ain’t that what life’s all about, danger and excitement?” Max laughed. “What’s the point of living if you can’t feel alive?”
“True.”
“I remember the days when we were stuck doing restaurant review pieces. Major boring shit.”
“For real.”
“So, if you insist on being out here playing Batgirl, I guess I got to have your back.” Max paused. “Wait a minute; does Batgirl even have a sidekick?”
“Batgirl was Batman’s sidekick.”
“I don’t think you can do Batman,” Max said. “You’re just not built for it,” he said as they arrived at their destination.
They went in the store and Carmen introduced herself as Carmen Taylor with Channel Four News, to which the excited employee replied, “Oh … My … God. It’s really you. I can’t believe it, the famous Carmen Taylor, the world’s most beautiful woman, in my store,” he said and came from behind the counter.
“It’s really me,” Carmen said.
He looked at Max and pulled out his phone. “Can you take a picture of us, please?” He handed the phone to him and quickly went to stand next to Carmen and Max snapped a few pictures for him.
“Thank you so much and if I can get you to sign an autograph for me, that would be great,” he said and handed Carmen a pen. She laughed to herself as she thought about signing his hand since he didn’t give her anything to write on. Carmen picked up whatever paper was closest and scribbled her name, before handing it back to her admirer.
“So, what can I do for you, Carmen? Can I call you Carmen?”
“Carmen is fine, and I wanted to ask you about one of your P. O. box renters.”
“Which one?” he said, but suddenly seemed less excited about Carmen’s visit.