Missing Lynx by Kim Baldwin & Xenia Alexiou

Author:Kim Baldwin & Xenia Alexiou [Baldwin, Kim & Alexiou, Xenia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Lesbian, Contemporary, Romance, General
ISBN: 9781602821378
Google: EoykzRgkPhcC
Amazon: 1602821372
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2010-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

ChaPteR twenty

Saigon

Walter Owens paused outside the ANZ Bank in downtown Saigon,

where he’d just withdrawn enough money from his Grand Cayman

account to meet his needs for the next few months. He didn’t want to

have to return to the city any time soon. The noise of the traffic and the

congestion on the streets around him was disturbing, and he wished

everyone would stop staring at him.

As soon as he disembarked at the train station, he’d sought out

a pay phone and dialed the number of a man he knew only as Ajay, a

skin trader he’d been exchanging e-mails with for several months. The

voice on the other end gave him the address of a bar where they would

meet.

There were no taxis in view, only two parked pedicabs—small

three-wheeled vehicles pedaled by a driver, with a thin covering to

shield the two passenger seats behind from the sun and rain. Walter got

into the first and gave the driver the address, and they merged into the

thick traffic.

It was slow going, and they had to stop frequently for stalled

traffic. Every time they did, Walter tried to ignore the looks of curiosity,

pity and disgust on the faces of everyone around them.

One young girl standing at an intersection reminded him very

much of one of his “givers,” the one whose face he’d preserved in an

expression of pleased surprise. Another, a bit farther on, had the same

look of grim determination he’d captured on an earlier mask. When she

turned to stare at him, he didn’t look away. Oh, she tried to hide her

• 165 •

KiM BaLdwin and xenia aLexiou

disgust like a lot of them did, and she was better at it than most. But he

could always see it, nonetheless.

Though he’d often felt this depression when he’d gone too long

without a new addition to his collection, the feeling had been intensified

by his exposure to crowds and long absence without a mask. Very soon.

With any luck, he might be working on a new masterpiece in a matter

of hours.

They arrived at the bar a half hour later. A tall man in a suit was

waiting outside, and approached him as soon as he got out of the pedicab.

He had the dark skin of an Indian, and his thick accent confirmed that

assessment.

“How interesting to meet you in person,” the man greeted him

politely. “I am Ajay.” When he talked, Walter glimpsed two gold

incisors among his otherwise white teeth.

“It was only a matter of time,” he replied.

“I have made all the preparations you requested, sir.”

“I’m anxious to see my new home, Ajay. And as for the other

location?” Walter was barely able to hide his excitement.

“That too, sir. It is a mere matter of steps from one to the other.”

“Well done,” he said, setting down his small suitcase. He’d picked

up a few more clothes and personal items that morning. Everything else

he needed would be waiting for him in his new hideaway.

“If you don’t mind my asking, what are your intentions for that

space?” Ajay asked. “It is most unpleasant there, and with your money

you can easily afford something more appropriate.”

“I like to practice my hobby in seclusion.

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