Page 26 of Something Worth Keeping
Julian’s heart rate elevated. Not to panic levels yet, but close. He pulled out his phone without breaking pace and opened his messages.
Julian:Someone is following me. Grey jacket, approximately 6’2”, Caucasian, visible neck tattoo. Should I be concerned?
He watched the screen as he walked. The three dots appearedimmediately, then vanished, then reappeared.
Cillian:Where are you?
Julian:Three blocks from my apartment. Heading toward the bakery on Franklin.
The dots appeared and disappeared twice more before:
Cillian:Stay in public areas. I’m coming.
Which didn’t actually answer Julian’s question.
Julian glanced to his side. Grey Jacket had been joined by a second man, this one in a dark hoodie. They weren’t trying to be subtle anymore.
Julian:Two now. Are they Vane’s men? You didn’t answer my question about concern levels.
Cillian:Julian. Stay visible. Don’t let them isolate you.
Julian’s stomach tightened. Cillian was deflecting, which meant yes, Julian should be concerned, but Cillian either couldn’t or wouldn’t explain why through text messages.
He picked up his pace. The bakery was two blocks ahead. He could see the warm glow of its windows, the line of customers already forming outside.
A third man stepped out from a recessed doorway directly in front of him.
Julian stopped. The man was blocking the sidewalk, hands in his jacket pockets, his expression neutral. Grey Jacket and Hoodie were suddenly looming behind him.
“Morning,” Julian said, because ignoring the situation seemed counterproductive. “You’re blocking the pedestrian right-of-way.”
“You’re Julian Purdy.” It wasn’t a question.
“That’s factually accurate. However, I don’t know who you are, which creates an information imbalance I’d like to correct before this conversation continues.”
The man’s expression didn’t change. “You need to come with us.”
“I disagree. I need to purchase coffee, return to my apartment, and complete several research tasks. Your request doesn’t align with my schedule.”
Grey Jacket and Hoodie spread out, forming a triangle around his position. Other pedestrians were giving them a wide berth, heads down, pointedly not noticing.
Julian’s pulse hammered against his throat. He kept his phone in his hand, screen still visible.
Julian:Three men. They know my name. One just requested I accompany them, which I declined.
The dots appeared instantly.
Cillian:DO NOT GO WITH THEM. I’m two minutes away.
The man in front of Julian shifted his weight. “We can do this easy or hard. Your choice.”
“I agree it should be my choice because it’s my person we’re discussing. However, those aren’t the only options available. There’s also option three, where you explain your objective and we negotiate a mutually acceptable outcome.” Julian adjusted his glasses, a nervous habit he’d never managed to eliminate. “For instance, if you’re concerned about what I witnessed in the alley last week, I can assure you I have no intention of reporting anything to the authorities. Civic cooperation would be counterproductive given…”
“Shut up,” Grey Jacket said from behind him.
“That’s unnecessarily rude. I’m attempting to establish dialogue and…”
A hand clamped onto Julian’s arm. He jerked back instinctively, and Hoodie grabbed his other arm.
