Page 487 of The Sinner: James

“No. Nothing. And that’s the truth. I told them that too. I had nothing to give them because I don’t know much.”

“Did he leave anything with you?” I ask.

I remember the man I ran into in Tiago’s apartment.

Seemingly, the brothers are more interested in getting their money than chasing him on the Russians’ turf.

She ponders, her eyes going blank.

“I don’t know... Not much. Nothing of importance. A few clothes, books. His drawings and a diary.”

“Drawings?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes light up with a smile.

“He’s really good. I kept all of them.”

“And a diary?”

“Yes, but he never wanted me to read it, so he gave it to me in a safe box.”

“Where’s the safe box?”

“In my storage unit.”

“Okay. Where’s your phone?”

She glances around, a bit dazed, before finally spotting her purse on the table.

She scoops it out and hands it to me.

“I need this phone for the next few days,” I say, sliding her cell into my pocket.

“I use it for work.”

“Get another one. Here...” I say, fishing out cash from inside my jacket. “This is for a new phone and to cover any work-related expenses. Although if I were you, I’d take a few days off and go out of town. Those people might try to talk to you again,” I say. “They want to get his money. Or to bring him back. And you, my dear, are instrumental in accomplishing their goal.”

“He’s supposed to call this coming Wednesday,” she says in a breath as I push out of my seat and pivot away from her.

I glance over my shoulder.

“Tell him that I’m okay,” she says nervously.

I keep my eyes on her for a second.

“You’re going to be fine. Just take my advice and leave.”

“Okay,” she says in a softer voice. “Thank you, James.”

I give her a clipped nod before walking out the door.

8

JAMES

“James?”

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