Page 108 of Override

Me:

No.

Taibhse:

Interesting.

I shake my head.

Me:

I'm just tired of hearing the same things every day.

The response doesn't come immediately this time. When it finally does, it feels different. Less teasing.

Taibhse:

Lonely?

The word lands and stays, heavier than it should. Because somehow he always manages to find the thing sitting underneath the thing. My fingers hover.

Me:

Maybe.

I stare at the message before adding:

I just wanted to hear something different.

The typing bubble appears instantly. Disappears. Appears again. I find myself smiling while I wait.

Taibhse:

Okay.

A second message follows.

A man once tried to hire me to determine whether his neighbor was a spy.

I blink.

Me:

Was his neighbor a spy?

Taibhse:

No.

Me:

Then why did he think he was?

The response comes right away.

Taibhse:

The neighbor owned six identical lawnmowers.