“I tried your cell first.”
“Sorry. I was grabbing a coffee in the break room.”
“I bet it’s better than the sweet mess I have.”
“I think this was brewed last night. Tastes like burned engine oil.”
“And the mystery behind your fixation with cinnamon mints is finally revealed.”
“You’ve got me worried. You’re not bleeding profuselynow, are you?” There was a smile in Calvin’s tone.
Best to just come clean. Fast, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
“I’ve got the name of Dumpster Diver.”
Silence.
“Casey Robert,” I said.
“Sebastian.”
“I was only sleuthing a little.”
“Explain how you’ve gotten the name of the victim before the police.”
“Small World Syndrome strikes again.”
The bandage was off, but it had left that tacky Band-Aid-shaped residue.
“Would you believe he’s the grandson of the Kinetoscope owner?” I continued.
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“He is,” I insisted. “I met the owner today.”
“What? Why did you—Sebastian, if this person has been setting you up and had the balls to murder—”
“James Robert is the name of the grandfather,” I interrupted. “And he’s ninety years old. I don’t think the guy can climb stairs, let alone cut the throat of his own grandson and then toss his body in a dumpster. He sure as hell wasn’t the man who attacked me,” I said in a rush.
I could practically hear Calvin silently counting to ten.
“James called me. He suspected his grandson wanted to steal his Kinetoscope, so he’d looked me up on the internet and shipped it to the Emporium for safekeeping. To make a long story short, when he mentioned that, I asked for a photo of his grandson. Minus the fixed gaze and copious amount of blood—same kid from the alley.”
Calvin didn’t respond.
“So… I don’t think the grandfather is involved. I think Casey was definitely looking to steal from him, though. My attacker might be a friend of his. They’re a bit taller than me. I’d also look for someone who likes candy. Red licorice. I’m telling you, his breath—”
“Seb.”
“What?”
“It never occurred to you that the grandfather might have orchestrated this? That he could be involved without beingphysicallyinvolved?Christ, baby. You could have been in serious danger.”
Okay… that hadn’t occurred to me.
“I didn’t—” I frowned and stared at the ground. “Sorry.”
“Where are you?” Calvin asked. “Are you still with the grandfather?”
