Page 96 of ClickBack

“It’s on the calendar.”

He changes lanes. “I read it. That’s how I knew to put gas in the car.”

I keep my eyes on my phone. Giselle sent me a picture last night of the cabinet hanging straight. No caption. She knew I would recognize my work.

Two hours later, I come out of the gym wanting food, a shower, and her, preferably without much time between them. Graves unlocks the SUV and asks whether we’re headed downtown.

“Cedar Mill.”

“She expecting you?”

“I’m about to call.”

“Then I’ll wait to put it in.” He holds up his phone. “Ms. Giselle might have a Wednesday planned.”

“She can tell me that herself.”

“Good. Call her.”

She answers while typing. I hear three quick taps before she says hello, then several more after it. Whatever she is doing has her full attention, and I want some of it badly enough that I understand Graves’s point without intending to tell him.

“I’m out in West Chester. Can I come see you?”

“Now?”

“If you’re free.”

“It’s eleven-forty on a Wednesday.”

“I can wait until eleven-forty-five.”

“Generous.” Her typing stops. “I have a client call in ten minutes. It could take an hour.”

“I’ll stay out of your way.”

“That confidence is unsupported by the evidence.”

I laugh. “Tell me no if you need to work, Zel.”

“I do need to work. You can come over if you understand I mean that.”

“I understand.”

“And eat something first. I’m not making lunch.”

Graves sees me smile and starts the car. “She let you come?”

“With conditions.”

“Smart woman.”

By the time we reach her house, she has a headset on and two screens open at the dining table. She lets us in, listening to a man explain why the paperwork he sent doesn’t resemble the paperwork she requested. I hold up the bag from our food stop. She points toward the kitchen, then looks past me.

“Hey, Graves,” she whispers.

“Ms. Giselle. Send him outside if he bothers you.”

“Go home,” I tell him.