Chapter 6

“I’m sorry, Marlow. I just don’t get it,” she said, having dedicated her entire day to him to no avail. “You sure you’re not forgetting something?” she asked.

“You know, I’m fine.” Marlow started backing out of her office. “I’ll just sleep on it again. It has to wear off eventually. We’ll call this a sick day.”

“Shouldn’t you contact a superior or specialist—”

“I’m fine! Thanks for trying.”

He bolted. He knew he was being ridiculous, but even if he did come clean, what could Hannigan do to help him other than volunteer? And no—no way. Marlow could never put his friend in that position.

He paced the streets for nearly an hour after leaving the station, annoyed at how slow he was now, how tired simply walking left him, until he found himself at his wits end, standing in a convenience store far from his own neighborhood, staring at the aisle of condoms and lube, and a few things he wasn’t even sure the uses for.