Page 102 of Two Marlboros

Nathan brought his head closer to mine to get a better look at what I was talking about. I brought my finger to the first word and slid it down to the figure.

“See, each word corresponds to a number. Perhaps a money match. The place and date could indicate the where and when of the sale.”

Nathan continued to stare at the piece of paper.

“Hmm, interesting.”

It wasn’t the first time I had seen words like that: they reminded me of code names, but the problem was figuring out what they really referred to. I stared at the symbol again, trying to remember where I had seen it before; and when anintuition flashed through my thoughts, I called myself stupid for not figuring it out sooner. The design in the header was indeed very similar to what the vandals had left on Michael’s car. In that same instant, I realized that perhaps it was no longer appropriate to talk about vandals.

“Where did you find it?”

“At a fast-food restaurant on 34th Street. Harvey took me there.”

I knew that place well, anyone in law enforcement did. It was a den of junkies, but they didn’t bother anyone, and, above all, they were well manageable; that was the only reason why the police had not yet ordered its seizure and eviction.

Nathan barely nudged my shoulder to get my attention.

“Do you know it? Have you been there?”

I really didn’t know whether to tell him the truth or not, although it was equally true that the fact that Harvey had taken him there did not imply subsequent drug use.

“I know it, yes, and let’s just say chicken nuggets aren’t the only thing they sell.”

Nathan lowered his gaze and pointed it toward the bag of tobacco on the table.

“I know.”

“You know?”

He put on the same smile as always and let the upset of my statement fly away in a huff.

“It’s not hard to guess, just see the faces of those sitting at the tables.”

I nodded and was heartened by his statement. However, in those eyes I read a truth that perhaps had to remain hidden, and I forced myself not to follow his train of thought. I looked away, but he continued to struggle with his demons.

“I would like to try to find out more about these little notes. I think I’ll come back and take a look in the next few days.”

The fact that he had said “little notes,” plural, gave me pause. Had he found more than one? In any case, I pretended not to, because it didn’t seem appropriate to pester him with questions, not at that moment, at least.

“Do you want to go to that club?”

He nodded.

“Alright but be careful.”

All concern disappeared from his face, and I could almost see a flicker of excitement.

“I can take care of myself, don’t worry.”

He looked biasedly at the clock on the wall and opened his eyes wide.

“Gee, is it that time already?”

The clock read nine o’clock. For me, he could have stayed a little longer - and maybe I wanted him to - but he got up firmly from the couch to grab the shoulder strap. I had no reason to ask him to stay without sounding equivocal, so I escorted him to the door with a few fitting expressions. When he was on the threshold, intent on saying goodbye before leaving, I wondered when I would see him again.

“So see you soon,” he said.

“See you soon.”

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