‘Well, I know where heusedto live. But obviously he may have moved since then. And I know that he used to work down on the lake, doing the tourist row boats. But again –longtime ago.’
‘That’s actually really helpful. Thank you so much. Sorry, I didn’t get your names?’
‘Er, yeah. Sorry. I’m Mati. This is Rob.’
‘Thank you, Mati. Thank you, Rob. I’m Josh. Josh Harris. Look, here’s my phone number. Just in case you remember anything later. About Phin. Or about Kris.’
‘What’s the deal?’ says Rob. ‘You lost somebody?’
‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Yes. I have lost somebody. Someone very important to me. But hopefully I’m a step closer to finding him now. Thanks again.’
I shake their hands, I tap my forehead at the bartender, and I leave. Off to find Kris ‘with a K’ Doll, the row-boat guy, the ex, the key, maybe, to the strangely unfurling mystery of where the hell Phin Thomsen might eventually turn out to be.