Page 59 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Who snapped that pic?
Me!
A selfie came through, too close and cross-eyed, of Nonny. In the next one, the goat crosser was so busy flexing, he hadn’t yet noticed that Deece was about to pounce.
Jacques must have reclaimed his phone, because the next selfie showed the teen in a casual headlock while Gilen huddled next to Jacques. If the tiger crosser’s flattened ears were anything to go by, Nonny was swearing up a storm.
I miss you guys
All is as it should be
But are you having fun?
Some
Today was nice
His gaze lingered on that word. Wait a minute. Wasn’t he supposed to be looking around the museum with Sinder? Why hadn’t the dragon reminded him?
How had they forgotten?
Akira stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, then stepped to the side. Switching to Sinder’s messages, he sent a quick text.
Sorry I left
Miss me already?
We were going to look
for red flowers in the gallery
Remember?
Sinder sent through a string of furious emotes. Then Akira’s phone rang.
“Do me a favor, since I might forget.” His words were thick with urgency. And sway. “Tell Argent it’s no good.”
There was a long pause, so Akira asked, “Is that all?”
“No. We’re under the influence of something insidious. And it’s so danged pleasant, we forget about looking for the source.”
“Got it. I’ll call him right away. As soon as you hang up.”
“That’s great. Wait. One other thing.” Sinder asked, “How far were you from the museum before you remembered what we were supposed to be doing?”
Akira turned to look back at the building. “Not far. I’m on the sidewalk along Mainsail. Almost to the trolly stop.”
“I’m making a note. Why is this so …? Is this what Dickon meant …?” Another pause, and Sinder hissed. “I need to find Juuyu.”
“Be careful.”
“Same to you.” And Sinder ended the call.
The trolly was coming along the street, so Akira hurried toward the stop while he backtracked to Jacques’ messages. Because the only direct line to Argent Mettlebright went through Uncle Jackie.
You still there?
While he waited for a response, Akira glanced up and froze. On the bench sat the man with vaguely Asian features. He smiled pleasantly and beckoned. And spoke in flawless Japanese. “Good afternoon, young man. Could you spare me a few minutes?”
