“—thirteen inches overnight, with an expected ten to sixteen more throughout the day. We urge residents to stay inside. Winds will reach speeds of forty miles per hour across Manhattan and the outer boroughs, with speeds up to sixty on Long Island.”
I grunted at the woman and took another bite of soggy marshmallows. I had already texted Max and told him to forget coming into the city. The MTA had halted service of the buses and subways after the mayor cited safety concerns. The City That Never Sleeps was at a standstill.
I picked up a book I’d left on the table the other day, opened it to the bookmarked page, and read with one of my many magnifying glasses.
Neil came out of the bedroom while pulling his suit coat on. “Mysteries and cereal?” he asked with a frown.
“Sure,” I muttered before looking up from the page. “Murders don’t wait till after breakfast, Watson.”
Neil made a face. “You’re not Sherlock.” He motioned to the bowl. “That’s pure sugar.”
“I’ll remember to make an appointment with my dentist,” I replied before taking another bite.
He didn’t rise to the bait of another argument. “You’re staying home today, right?”
“Yeah. Max can’t get into the city anyway.”
I was going to use the day to go through the boxes of inventory that were stacked up here, like I had told myself I would do the night before. But I just hadn’t been feeling that old thrill, the excitement I got from going through the untold treasures and mysteries inside each new shipment of antiques. It was like someone put a cup over a flame and snuffed out the oxygen. I missed the rush.
I didn’t feel like the same Sebastian I had been even earlier in the year. Not since Neil moved in.
“Something similar must have happened to Mike,” I said offhandedly. I set the magnifying glass down and opened the cereal box to refill my bowl.
“What?” Neil was adjusting his hair in the mirror on the wall near the door.
“If the detectives who are investigating his break-in are the same that were called to the Emporium yesterday.”
“Drop it, Sebby. You’re just wasting energy thinking about it.”
“How can younotfind it strange?”
“I do, but Detective Lancaster is right. There wasn’t a crime.”
“Someone broke in.”
“We talked about this yesterday.”
I stirred the cereal into the milk. “Just a quick conversation with Mike would put it all into perspective.”
“Seb, I’m serious,” Neil said as he turned to stare at me. “If you go over there, I’m not bailing you out of jail when you get arrested.”
“Well, it’s good to know where you draw the line in this relationship.”
Neil shook his head and grabbed his shoes and coat. “I’m leaving.” He looked back as he zipped up. “Don’t go over there.”
“Yes, warden,” I said while raising my hand to mock salute him. “Will you call to make sure I don’t break curfew too?”
“Cute, Sebby.” He opened the door. “Be good.”
“I’m not twelve, Neil,” I called, but he shut the door as I spoke.
My phone rang from the tabletop not more than a moment later, the caller ID flashing “Dad.”
“Good morning, kiddo,” said William Snow cheerfully. “Some storm we’re having, huh?”
“Hey, Pop.”
“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
