Page 44 of Caper Crush
“Did you learn anything?” he asks.
“Not really. Vinnie knows Edmund well. Edmund bought the Versal. They seem to have a dealer/client relationship. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
We reach the parking lot, and I head to the passenger-side door of the car.
William says, “Wait.”
“What?”
“Your butt looks pretty dirty from here. Sit on my coat.”
“Are you checking out my butt?” I ask.
He takes off his coat and hands it to me. “I’m protecting my car seat.”
I nod. “Right. What about your coat?”
“Easier to wash.” He lays it down on the seat for me.
“I feel bad I’m getting your coat dirty.”
The daylight dims to dusk, and crickets chirp. The car tires crunch as they turn over the dirt gravel. Another day and still no answers.
We are both silent as we turn onto the highway back to New York City. William seems to be intently focused on the road. The silence feels deafening.
“Edmund says he heard the Kimimoto is for sale through some nefarious connections.”
“Nefarious?” William asks.
“So he said—literally. But he doesn’t want Officer Johnson to know. He said I could meet them with him.”
“We should tell Officer Johnson.”
“Edmund told me not to.”
“Do you think Officer Johnson is capable?”
“Yes.”
“Then you should trust him and not go off to meetnefariousconnections with Edmund.”
“Maybe,” I say. “This might be a lead.”
“Promise me you won’t go alone to meet them.”
“I’ll go with Edmund. He said I can’t bring anyone else.”
“I could trail you.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt if they find you—if this is actually a real gang.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t think they’re going to hurt a woman.”
“You think they follow some gentleman’s code?”
“Probably not. But I can take care of myself, and Edmund will be with me.”
