Calvin didn’t speak, just silently ate his second and third slice of pizza.
“He mentioned that he knew you’d been the first to arrive when I got knocked out.”
That made Calvin’s eyebrows rise. “How’d he know that?”
I shrugged. “He didn’t say. Greg gives me bad vibes, Cal.”
“I can’t arrest someone because they’re a dickhead.”
“You sure?” I tried, offering a smile.
Calvin smiled back. “I’m sure.”
“Oh well. Anyway, he wasn’t a dickhead. Well, sort of, but mostly he made me nervous. When we left Good Books, he told me to be careful. The way he said it wasn’t—” I failed to find the word I wanted and waved a hand idly.
“With sincerity?” Calvin offered.
“Right. He seemed to be hinting that I knew more than I was letting on or that I knew more because of you.”
That made Calvin frown, and I knew he was suspecting someone thought there was a relationship between us. “I see,” he muttered.
“Look, I’m not saying that Greg is the guy, but something isn’t right.”
Calvin nodded and stood, bringing his plate to the sink to wash.
“Want to hear something else?”
“I’m not so sure.”
I brought my plate over, standing beside him. “African greys can learn to mimic words or sounds within a day if it’s easy or something they like. That lady’s bird, he can very well be repeating some of the last words heard in her apartment.”
“This guy screaming for the book.”
“Tamerlane.”
“Right,” Calvin said, putting the plates away. “But if Greg was the guy, why would he show his hand and mentionTamerlaneto me?”
I wasn’t sure. “Desperation?”
Calvin shook his head. “I agree that something is off about his story—”
“Whoever came into my apartment this morning came for my books,” I interrupted. “If you noticed.”
Calvin turned back to me, crossing his arms. “I did. Are you certain it wasn’t in your possession?”
“No. But now how am I supposed to know? If it was, it’s not there now. I checked. Someone thought I did have it, though.”
“Look, baby, I hate to bring it up again, but of all people, Neil knew you had some of the estate sale at your home. And he had a key.”
“But the things Greg said…. I don’t think this is over. Call it gut instinct, but I’m pretty convinced the book wasn’t in my possession. This guy is still looking for it.”
“Does Greg know where you live?”
I made a face. “You know as well as I do that information like that is hardly a secret these days.”
Calvin nodded and left the counter, tugging his tie loose and tossing it into a small hamper near the television. He started to unbutton the cuffs of his shirt next.
“What about the phone call that Greg claims he got?” I asked.
