On the Line by S. J. Rozan

Author:S. J. Rozan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2010-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

17

“Dude.” Linus leaned against the headrest as I drove crosstown, away from the wreckage. “Dude, this shit is wack. Way wack. I mean, shit. I mean, dude. I mean . . .”

“I know what you mean.”

Weakly, he asked, “What now?”

“I think we wait. Kevin will call soon. But first, can you send a text message?”

“Why couldn’t I?”

“To Mary. Tell her to call me. Tell her I have a peace offering.”

“You do? And how come I’m texting and not calling?”

“Because you’re on videotape with me at Nicole’s, and she’s a cop. It would put her in a bad position to pick up the phone at the precinct and find it’s you. This way she can go somewhere else to make the call if she wants to.”

“Smooth,” he said, thumbing buttons. “But that’s not videotape. It’s a webstream.”

Just as he finished, my phone rang. Kevin, of course. I didn’t use the speaker, just lifted the phone to my ear.

“Hey-hey, asshole! You were fast on that one, bro. My clues weren’t so good?”

“Oh, they were great. I’m just getting used to you, is all.”

“And lard-ass Ross? He was a big help, I’ll bet. Like he always is.”

“Yeah, he was terrific.”

“Did you like it? The big ka-boom?”

“Did you really think I would?”

“No, I hoped you wouldn’t. Did you see her?”

“Who?”

“Junie, stupido. Or pieces of her, anyway.”

Which meant I was right: it was supposed to happen as soon as I got there. So I could see it. It also meant another thing: he didn’t know it hadn’t. I poured on surprise: “You had a girl up there?”

“You bet your fucking ass I did! A hottie, too. A little young for me, but she was a friend of Angelique’s so I asked for her. Angelique was right, she was good. Too bad she won’t get any older. She’d probably have been great.”

“You’re a sick fuck.”

“You think?

“Let me talk to Lydia.”

Shifting into a slow singsong, he said, “You didn’t answer me.”

“Do I think you’re a sick fuck? I sure as hell do.”

“Very funny. Not that question. Did you?”

“Did I what?”

“See her!”

“Who? The girl? No.”

“You didn’t?” He sounded disappointed. “No arms and legs flying?”

“Jesus Christ, I don’t know what I saw! Boom, crash, and I got the hell out of there. Did you expect me to stick around?”

“You don’t have to get sarcastic.”

“Let me speak to Lydia. Then tell me where the next damn clues are. I want to get this over with.”

“You know, I’m really sorry you’re not enjoying yourself. I think it’s because you’re such a stiff. That stick up your ass, that righteousness thing. You should loosen up, have a little fun.”

I spoke through clenched teeth. “The next goddamn clues.”

He sighed. “I’m beginning to think you have a problem. ADHD or something. Maybe you should get tested. Wouldn’t be so bad. You could get some good drugs.”

“The—”

“Oh, shut the fuck up. Your next clues will be where your last clues were.”

“What are you talking about?” Then it dawned: “Hal?”

“I had something else in mind, but this is better.

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