Chapter 61

I have something to tell you, I said to Gabriel on the phone, my voice ringing with urgency.

Can you meet me lunch?”

Sur. You bet. Where? No doubt he thought I had some important news to break on the case.

———

That urgent, huh?” Gabriel laughed into my phone. I must be starting to have a bad effect on you. When should I come?”

I’m waiting now.”

It took him barley fifteen minutes to arrive at the door. I’d stopped on my way at Nestor’s bakery and picked up some freshly baked cinnamon buns. Then I popped a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck that I had saved in my fridge.

Never in six years had I bugged out on a case in the middle of afternoon. Especially one of this magnitude. But I felt no guilt, none at all. I though of the craziest way I could break the good news.

I met him at the door, wrapped in a bedsheet. His big blue eyes went wide with surprise.

I will need to see some ID.” Ingrinned.

“Have you been drinking? he asked.