Page 95 of I Will Find You

She stared now at her phone. She had put off making the call for long enough. She needed answers, and he might have them. She dialed the number. He answered on the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Hey.”

“Rachel?”

There was a lilt in his voice. It made her smile.

“Yeah.”

“Oh my God, it’s been so long.”

“I know, I’m sorry about that.”

“No need. How are you?”

“I’m okay,” she said.

“I called you, you know.”

“I know.”

“When the whole thing went down with that article and our alma mater—”

“I know,” she said again. “I should have replied to you. I owed you that.”

“You don’t.”

“I do. I’m sorry. I was just…It was a lot.”

Silence. Then: “There a reason you called?”

“I need a favor,” Rachel said.

“I’m always here for you. You know that.”

She knew. She cleared her throat. “Did you read about my brother-in-law escaping prison? I don’t know if the news would reach—”

“I saw that, yes.”

“I’m hoping you can help with something.”

He hesitated. “Look, Rachel, where are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you home?”

“No, I’m…” Should she say? “I’m near Boston.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Can you get to Toro restaurant on Washington Street? In, say, an hour?”

“Wait, you’re back?”

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