Making his way back to his car, Luca wondered how long he’d be getting the rookie treatment. He hoped they weren’t planning any more shenanigans. But he’d put up with it if it meant being accepted as one of them…soon.
He got into his car and drove in the direction of his station, feeling silly but pleased at Captain Moore’s comment about his first week on the job. Normally, he would have called Lisa to talk about it. But after his last phone call with her, he wondered if she would even answer her phone—and if he even wanted to talk to her about his job.
Would it be worth calling Lisa and asking her if she’d had a change of heart? They’d dated for two years, and it was hard to let go of someone you’d spent so much time with.
Would Dawn have told him he’d played right into their hands? He doubted it.
A vision of Dawn in her penguin pajamas popped into his head, and he couldn’t help smiling.
He glanced at the bag on the front passenger seat of his car. Jack had let him into Mandy’s room, where Luca had found the pink unicorn on the bed exactly where Dawn had seen it in her vision. He had asked Jack if he could borrow the toy, that he had a friend who might be able to help. Jack had agreed, telling him he’d do anything to find his daughter.
* * *
“Mind if I sit beside you, young lady?”
Dawn glanced up at the old woman standing before her and grinned. “Good to see you, Lynda.”
“Good to see you too.” Lynda eased herself down beside Dawn as the subway car filled up.
“Are you going to the Youth Community Center too?”
“No, I just wanted to wish you luck. I heard about the shooting in your neighborhood.”
“Does Karma Cleaners know everything?”
“Only as it involves our clients.”
“How?”
“We have our ways.” She gave her a Mona Lisa smile. “So how are you doing?”
Dawn blew out a breath. “I just ran into an ex-boyfriend. He was sniffing around, asking if I was getting cozy with a cop.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him to buzz off.” Dawn shrugged.
“Good girl.” Lynda nodded and opened her large quilted bag. She rooted around in it for a few moments and then pulled out what looked like a pager with a red button.
“Here. This is for you.”
“What it is?”
“If you’re ever in trouble or you need to talk, you can press that button, and I’ll find you.”
Dawn frowned at her. “Are you serious?”
“As serious as these galoshes I’m wearing.”
Dawn glanced down at Lynda’s hideous boots. “Those are seriously ugly.”
“Like I said.”
“Do you know something that I don’t?”
“Well, you’re the psychic. You tell me.”
Dawn made a face. “Okay, I am a little worried. I’ve become friends with a cop, and I texted him when I heard gunshots. I also called 911, but I just felt safer texting Luca.”
