“It’s on speaker,” he says, as a ringtone sounds.
I pull my chair in closer, my eyes are on his screen. “Let me talk,” I say.
Luke looks unsure for a moment, and then he nods.
She picks up. I’m shocked because I somehow didn’t think that she would. “I hope you have some information for me and that you’re not wasting my time.” Her voice is no-nonsense.
“Hello,” I say. “My name is Lyre. It seems like we might be looking for the same person.”
“I’m listening.”
“What is your name?’ I ask. I told her mine. Maybe, just maybe.
She sighs. “Do you have information or not?”
I need to give her something. I hope she’ll give me something back in return. I won’t hold my breath. “This woman…you call her Lilith, she stole from me. She took my wallet, my watch, and a couple of other things of little importance. The watch was sentimental. I need it back. I’m trying to find her.”
“Your watch and your wallet?” she asks, I hear skepticism in her tone. Maybe I’m wrong.
“Yes, that’s right. Like I said, the watch isn’t worth much, but it’s important to me. I’m trying to find her. I’m offering a reward.”
“That’s nice.” I don’t think she’s interested.
“Ten thousand dollars,” I throw the number out there. I can pay it. In fact, I’m fully prepared to pay triple that – more – to find Gabriella.
“Let’s cut the bull,” she says, deadpan. “We both know she didn’t steal those things from you. That’s not how she operates. Why are you really looking for her?”
What? How could this woman possibly know that? “Excuse me?”
“You heard me! Lilith, or whatever she’s calling herself these days, was not after your money or jewelry. Why do you want her so badly?”
“I’m telling you—”
“No, I’m telling you! You’re lying to me. Maybe if you come clean and tell me what really happened, we can set something up.”
“Who the hell are you?” I growl. “Why are you trying to find her?”
“Call me when you have something, or if you’re willing to cut the crap.” She hangs up the phone.
I’m reeling.
This woman knows something.
“Call her again!” I say.
“Why?” Luke is frowning. “She’s full of hot air. I’m telling you she’s one of those crazies we get calling in sometimes.”
That was no crazy. I get why Luke would draw that conclusion since he doesn’t have all the facts.
“Humor me.”
He looks my way for a few moments and then pulls in a breath. Luke goes through the motions, putting the phone down between us. It just rings and rings and rings.
He tries again, but the same thing happens.
“I want her number,” I say.
“Why?” He raises his brows. “Forget her. She clearly can’t help us.”
“Please,” I say.
“I wouldn’t waste my time.” He gives me her number anyway, and I program it into my phone.
Then he proceeds to explain several avenues he plans on exploring. They’re all long shots. I’m thinking about the woman I just spoke to. How am I going to get her to talk? She knows something. It’s important. How do I get her to open up without revealing too much about myself? It’s not like I can tell her that Gabby – Lilith – stole my power. That would sound like crazy talk. I’d scare her away for good if I did that. I’m tempted to give her more information about myself. Maybe that will draw her in. Problem is, I can’t trust her.
It doesn’t take long for Luke to finish outlining his plan. We’re getting to the point where we’ve exhausted all leads. Not that there were many to begin with.
“I’ll call you if I find out anything,” he says.
I nod.
“It’s like she just disappeared,” he adds. “Rest assured, I won’t give up.”
“I know you won’t.”
“I’ve got PD on this. I’ll keep fishing. Keep on turning rocks until something comes up.”
“I know you will.” We shake hands, and I leave.
I can’t walk past the Chinese takeout a second time. This time, my mouth waters and my stomach rumbles. I go inside and place my order.
Then I sit down at the cheap plastic table. I can’t stop thinking about her. For once, it’s not Gabby but the other mystery woman. I look at the screen of my phone for a long couple of minutes before I finally decide to send her a text.
Nice chatting.
I see that she has read my message, but I don’t get a response.
I wish you’d tell me your name.
She reads the message…and I get nothing.
The lady at the counter tells me that my order is ready. I look at my watch. Ten minutes. That’s impressive. I take my food and head to my car. I get inside and do what I always do when I get Chinese; I find my fortune cookie. I rip open the plastic packaging. Crack open the cookie and take out the little piece of paper.
Soon life will become more interesting.
I choke out a laugh. Please no. ‘More interesting’ is another way of saying more complicated. It’s complicated enough, thanks.
You don’t even want to know the fortune I just pulled out of a cookie. I ordered Chinese BTW.
I’m not sure why I just sent that message. I see those bouncing balls that indicate she is typing. I watch them for a long couple of seconds. Then they are gone. Damn. She thought about it but didn’t respond in the end. She is reading my messages. Maybe I can get through to her if I keep trying. Maybe she’ll tell me what she knows without me having to confess to being a dragon demigod…because that won’t work.
Okay then. Take care of yourself. I’ll eat an egg roll for you.
Again, she reads the message, but that’s all. Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m a patient man. As a surgeon, I have to be. A heart transplant can take eight hours. Six for a triple bypass.
I put my phone away and pull out into the road. I’m probably being an idiot here. I should forget about this woman. I’ll find some other way to find Gabriella…Lilith…whatever the hell her name is. I still can’t help feeling that this woman knows something real. Something that will break this wide open. I’ll keep chipping away at her. It’s all I have to go on.
5
Six weeks later…
Morgan
We drive into the underground parking and get out. I follow behind them. We take the elevator, which opens into a lobby of a hotel. The reception area is large and airy. The floor looks like it’s made of black and white marble. It’s that or some kind of shiny stone. Thankfully I decided to wear black slacks instead of jeans. I still feel out of place. I look up at a large skylight. The ceiling is white marble. There are wooden pillars down the whole length of the space. The contrast between all the marble and the warm wood works well.