Page 88 of Callahan

“I mean, maybe? I’m not sure living in an apartment is really conducive for that. Maybe I’ll consider a cat, although I’m not sure I’m a cat person.”

He shook his head.

“You’re a dog person.”

I pursed my lips—not convinced I was either.

“Well, I’ve got a few years to decide.”

His scowl seemed to indicate I didn’t have as long as I thought.

Brian impatiently asked again. “So… password?”

“Oh, um, how about capital C, lower case R, the number zero, exclamation point, S, S, the number four, N, T, S, and another exclamation point?”

Brian repeated back, “C-r-0-!-s-s-4-n-t-s-!” then looked up at me with a grin. “Croissants?”

“Why not?”

Adam punched some buttons on my phone, then flashed the screen at me to show me a live feed of my outside stairs.

“You’re all set up. The app is on your phone and the password is saved.”

Brian added, “The camera’s name is Beaumont Bakery.”

“You named my camera? Why not call it Fred or something?”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

I knew I was trying his patience, but honestly, that only made it that much more fun.

“We’ve got to go.”

“Where are you going?”

Adam answered, “I’ve got an appointment with Dr. Williams.”

“Already? That was fast.”

“I guess he had an opening this morning.”

I discreetly moved Conor to my other breast, then replied, “Well, good luck. I hope your brain healed faster than your face.”

He acted offended. “Hey! You said I was looking better.”

“I mean, yeah, better than it did on Sunday. But you still look pretty busted up.”

Brian nodded in agreement, but then, as if to soften the blow, added, “But you are healing nicely. Maybe by the time you fly to Massachusetts, you won’t even be able to tell.”

“Actually, I’m not going. I’m going to see if my brother, Alan, will bring my Bronco here with my stuff if I pay for his return ticket.”

That got my attention, and I asked, “Why aren’t you going?”

“I’m not leaving you and Conor until whoever sent that letter is caught.”

“You’re not going to inconvenience your family because of me.”

“Trust me, Alan won’t view it as an inconvenience. He’ll get to come check out where I’m living, probably hang around a couple of days, then fly home on my dime.”

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