“Yup.”
“Wow, you’re a genius. That’s why I’m paying you the big bucks.”
“BIMG actually takes most of my billable hours for themselves. But I appreciate the compliment.”
Tanner turned to Claude. “Do you have two dozen of these little guys?”
“I actually have three dozen.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Tanner. “Can you imaginethree dozenmonkeys dancing around the yacht? This is going to be a classy event, not some seedy backroom freak show.”
“Of course,” said Claude. “My mistake. I take it you’ll supply the cages?”
Tanner threw his arm around Claude and pulled him into a hug. “Ah, Claude. You know me too well.Of courseI’ll supply the cages.”
Why does Tanner have so many cages? Is it a sex thing?It sure seemed like it was.
“Should I draw up the paperwork?” asked Claude.
“Yes please,” said Tanner. “Ash, why don’t you go ahead and take the rest of the night off? You’ve earned it with this monkey idea.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll finish up here. You can go tell Chastity all about the monkeys before she does something she shouldn’t.”
“Huh? Oh, right. Gotcha.” Monkeys was code for DODO. Yeah, it was probably a good idea to call her off before she tried to blow someone for information or something.
“Want me to call Nigel to take you home?”
It was tempting, but I just couldn’t accept. When my apartment was only a few blocks away it felt wrong to call Nigel. Surely the little man had better things to do on a Wednesday evening. Although…he had shown up at my apartment at a moment’s notice with cookies just because Tanner asked him to. That was a little too eager to serve if you asked me. Nigel was up to something shady. I’d walk, thank you very much.
Besides, a short walk would help me process all this new information. Especially the bit about DODO making people disappear. Just like Rosalie had.
Was it possible that it had been them who took her?
While I walked home, I tried to replay every conversation I’d had with her in the weeks and months leading up to her disappearance. Had she ever mentioned DODO? I really didn’t think she had. But then again…neither had Tanner until I bugged his phone and forced him to spill the beans.
I’d only made it about half a block before my chest tightened with this intense feeling of dread. My blouse was drench in sweat almost immediately. It was the kind of feeling you’d get when you’re walking down a dark alley and see a bunch of dudes with baseball bats and switchblades approaching. Or when you’re about to get bagged by DODO?!
Nope.Neither of those things was happening. It was something much worse.
Matthew Caldwell was approaching.
Yes,theMatthew Caldwell. The one that I’d met during the blind date from hell. The one I’d rather die than ever have to see again.
Had he seen me yet? There were two things working in my favor. First, it was twilight, so my bright red hair might not be quite as obvious as it would have been in broad daylight. Secondly, and more importantly, Matt was playing on his phone. So there was still time to avoid an awkward encounter. I just needed to act fast.
I frantically searched for a hiding spot. There were two options: a dumpster, or a bush.Thank God.I’d dumpster dive to avoid Matt any day, but today I didn’t have to. I ran for the bush. But just as I got there, my heel caught between two bricks and sent me tumbling into the bush headfirst.
Ow.It wasn’t the most graceful entry, but it was effective. I moved a few branches around to make sure that I was well hidden.
He wasalmostpast me when he stopped and looked directly at me. No…notdirectlyat me. Just in my general direction. I followed his gaze and realized that my Odegaard had gotten stuck in the sidewalk when I’d tripped.
Damn it!
Matt cocked his head and squinted at my shoe.
Please keep walking. Please keep walking. I will literally die if you find me.
