Despite all that, I couldn’t shake the feeling that whoever was sending them wasn’t a real threat.
“Which tie do you want?” He indicated the two I’d laid out earlier.
“Blue.”
He handed it to me. “You know, this color reminds me of a certain someone’s eyes.”
I looped the tie around my neck and popped the collar of my shirt. “Does it now.”
“You’ve been wearing a lot of blue lately.”
“Have I?”
“You’re annoying when you’re trying to be coy.”
“I am?”
He gave me an unimpressed look.
“What are we going to do about this latest letter?” I asked.
“Not much we can do without more information. I’ll add extra guys to the schedule and send it off to be analyzed. But I’m guessing it’ll come back as clean as the others.”
“Probably. I still don’t think this is anything to worry about. It’s most likely some whackjob with too much time on his hands, or someone I pissed off who’s trying to mess with me.”
“Maybe, but maybe not,” Vlado cautioned. “They’re being sent through local channels, so that right there ups the threat level.”
“But you said yourself they could be using a local connection to send the letters while they observe from afar.”
“I don’t have enough facts to know either way. Until I have solid, tangible proof that this isn’t something to worry about, it’s my job to worry about it. Ready to go pick him up?”
“Ready.” I fell into step beside Vlado as we headed out of the dressing room.
* * *
Nick was leaning against the outside wall of his building as we pulled up. Grinning, he bounded over to the car and wrenched the door open.
“How’s it hanging?” He tossed a duffel bag in the car and slid into the seat.
“To the left, same as always,” Vlado quipped.
“Are you a grower, or a shower, Vlado?” Nick turned his attention to the front of the car, an impish grin on his plush lips.
“A little of both.”
“Is that your way of saying you have a big dick?” Nick asked.
“I don’t like to brag, but…”
Nick snickered. “Don’t lie. You love to brag.”
“Guilty.” Vlado pulled away from the curb.
“Evan loves to brag too, isn’t that right?” He swept his gaze to me. “Like when that greasy guy was going on about that thing the other night and you were all ‘is that so, peasant?’ I thought you were gonna whip your disco stick out and have a dick measuring contest right then and there.”
“Is it weird that I know exactly what moment you’re talking about?” Vlado asked.
“Nope. Means I’m rubbing off on you.” Nick grinned. “You’re both gonna be fluent in Nickalese in no time.”