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She opens the folder and picks up the photo.
“Is he missing?”
“That’s what Abbot said.”
“Abbot? Thomas Abbot?”
I look at her.
“Happy to see me now?”
“Happier. Do you have any background information on the kid?”
“There’s some stuff on the back of the photo. His name is Nick, Abbot says. It might be a parent abduction, but I don’t know.”
Julie turns the photo over and scans the information.
“You don’t think he’s telling the truth?”
“I don’t know that either. I just know that he went out of his way not to say what his relationship was with the kid or his parents. He just kept saying ‘my friend’ wants me to get you to look into it.”
She turns the photo over and looks at Nick’s face.
“Normally I’d be reluctant to go with a case with so little information and a cagey client, but—”
“Yeah. It’s the augur asking. He’s got money and he’s got pull. It seems like one to take.”
“And so we will. Thanks, Stark.”
I always feel funny when Julie thanks me. She’s the friend who helped keep Candy out of that Lurker relocation camp so she could become Chihiro. Then she gave her a job. We’re both a long way from paying her back for that. Any case I can throw at her, I will.
From the other room we can hear Candy and Alessa laughing. Julie holds a hand off in their direction
“Can you have a word with her? I mean, this is supposed to be a place of business.”
“Looks like she’s on her lunch hour to me.”
“Lunch hour and then some.”
“Look, you made it clear you didn’t want me involved with the agency. I’m not about to go out there and scold Chihiro for a noodle break.”
“Point taken. Just do me a favor and look at your watch on the way out. Maybe she’ll take the hint.”
“I don’t wear a watch.”
“Right. Well, pretend. Stare at your wrist for two seconds.”
I get up.
“I’ll wrestle them to the ground and give them detention.”
Julie gives me a curdled smile.
“Late at night, if you ever wonder why you don’t work here anymore, remember this moment.”
I open the office door.
“I’ll tell Abbot you’re on the case when I see him Monday.”
