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“Last night,” she said, with more certainty than she felt. “I saw her last night. And then when I woke up this morning she was gone. And...”
“And what?” Azaki prompted.
“Shouldn’t you be taking notes or something?” Izzy asked.
Azaki tapped a forefinger to his temple. “It’s all up here. Don’t worry, Ms. Cattaneo, this is not a formal interview. What were you going to say?”
“And I’ve just felt strange ever since I woke up, like something is wrong but I can’t place it.”
“Is it unusual for Cassie to not be home in the morning?” Azaki asked.
“Yes,” Izzy said. “She normally works afternoons and evenings. She’s a night owl. She’s up late and sleeps late into the morning. She should have still been in bed.”
“I see,” Azaki said. He glanced at the other man, but the giant gave no response. “One other question, Ms. Cattaneo,” Azaki continued. “Has Cassie brought home any new books recently? Or has she spoken about finding any interesting books?”
“Books?” Izzy asked, thoroughly confused. “Why the hell are you asking me about books?”
“Just answer the question, please,” Azaki pressed.
Izzy thought about it briefly. “I don’t know,” she said. “Cassie works in a bookstore and she’s always reading. She’s always got new books. It’s not something we talk about.”
“She works in a bookstore?” Azaki said, as if this was interesting.
“Wait a minute,” Izzy said. “I thought you were here to tell me something about Cassie. I thought she was in the hospital or dead or something?”
“Oh, we have no idea,” Azaki said.
Izzy felt a jolt as a connection was made, a deduction drawn. “You’re not the police,” she stated, suddenly alert.
Azaki frowned. “Oh yes, we are, I’m sorry.” He smiled apologetically and pushed both hands into his pockets as if searching for something, then one hand emerged with a badge that he held out toward her. She leaned in and read it.
“‘Detective Azaki,’” she said.
“That’s right,” he said, putting the badge away again.
“Why are you asking about Cassie?” Izzy glanced over to the big man at the window. The man watched her, but there was no obvious threat in his expression.
“We are very keen to find her,” Azaki explained. “We believe she may be in some danger because of a valuable item she has recently taken possession of. Does she have anything valuable, do you know?”
“Valuable?” Izzy said. “Cassie? I think you are mistaken. The only thing Cassie has is books and a bad fashion sense.”
The giant coughed a laugh, a singlehuhthat punched the air, and when Izzy glanced at him a smile was fading from his face. Azaki frowned in annoyance at the interruption.
“You said she was in danger,” Izzy said. “What danger?”
“We think you might also be in some danger, Ms. Cattaneo,” Azaki continued, sounding concerned.
Izzy felt her hand going to her chest in shock. “Why would I be in danger? I haven’t done anything. What is it you’re not telling me? Where is Cassie?”
“We really don’t know,” Azaki said sympathetically. He studied herfor a moment, as if working something out. “Maybe it would be better if you came down to the station with us, just for a few hours. Just until we can find Cassie.”
“The station?” Izzy said. “Are you arresting me?”
“No, not at all. Just for your own protection. I don’t want to leave you worried.”
“I don’t like this,” Izzy said. “You can’t come in here and tell me I’m in danger.”
Another knock sounded from the front door, this one a loud thump rather than the jaunty tapping that Azaki had done. Azaki turned his head toward the sound, and then nodded to himself. Then he smiled at Izzy.
