Page 50 of Morsel

“Not even I know him that well,” Dolly says.

“And yet you’re the one planning this little reunion,” Phoenix says. “Interesting.”

“No jabs,” I say.

Phoenix holds his arms up. He wishes I’d calm down, I guess.

Fat chance.

“It’ll be fine,” she says.

“Because it has to be.”

27

Dolly

I sit at the cafe and wait. Craig walks in right on time. Hank is with him.

“Both of you?” I ask.

“What do you want, Dolly?” Craig asks. He sits across from me. Hank stands.

“Sit down, Hank.”

Hank sits.

“I don’t appreciate you letting that asshole take me,” I say. They both know I’m talking about Oscar. They don’t know I don’t think he’s an asshole at all.

He’s a soft, gooey man with a soft, gooey heart.

“And I don’t appreciate you letting him beat the shit out of me,” Craig says.

“You got beat up by a suit,” I say. Craig frowns. He doesn’t like to look weak. “I’m surprised you’re admitting it.”

I raise my coffee to my lips and sip.

“Are you going to go order a drink?” I ask. “This place makes a mean caramel latte.”

“Get to the point, sis.”

“I want to know why you wanted Shadowvale so much,” I say.

“You know why.”

“No, I know you worked for his dad.”

“For a time.”

“And I know you don’t like Oscar in particular. Why?”

Craig cocks his head. This is the negotiation point.

“What’s in it for me?”

“I know where he is,” I say. “I’ve been to his place. I even know the fucking password to get in.”

“You fuck that out of him?” Hank asks.

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