“Great.” I grabbed my duffel and rifle, then followed him.
The stale, warm air of the building swallowed me whole after the cool interior of the car. It was a lot hotter and damper here than back on the farm, and smelled of grease and rust and salt.
“Robert Twelfth,” Abraham said as he walked our way, “may I introduce you to Neds Harris, and Miss Matilda Case.”
Robert walked over to Neds and offered his hand, which Neds shook. “Pleasant meeting you both,” he said. “Welcome to the city. May your stay be memorable.”
Neds’ shoulders took on that tightness that meant he was touching something he didn’t want to touch, seeing something he didn’t want to see.
“Thanks,” Right Ned said.
“And Miss Case.” Robert walked over to me, his smile both curious and kind. “It is such an honor to meet you, sister.” He gave a short bow and then held out his hand for me.
“Sister?” I took his hand, which was warm and strong.
His eyes went wide at that contact.
“I felt that,” he said as he rubbed the fingers of one hand into his palm. “Your hand. I felt your hand. How . . . why did I feel you?”
I shook my head, filled with my own unanswerable questions. I glanced at Abraham and Neds, but they were no help.
“I felt her too,” Abraham said. “She doesn’t appear to know why.”
It sounded like an accusation.
They both stood there a second and gave me twin looks of puzzlement and maybe a little hunger.
Awkward.
“So, you don’t feel anything either, Robert Twelfth?” I asked.
“Please, just Rob,” he corrected with another smile. “Do you?”
“I felt that handshake,” I hedged.
“Time is against us,” Abraham said. “We need to go. Apologies, Rob.”
“No need, Bram. Anything. Anytime,” Robert said. “I’ll see you at the games, then?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Abraham said. “You owe me money.”
“No, I’m pretty sure I won that square.”
“You stole it.”
“You were drinking maybe a little,” Robert suggested.
“You were stealing maybe a little,” Abraham said.
“Wasn’t I just?” Robert grinned.
They patted each other on the shoulder, and Robert handed Abraham a thin band that he snapped in place over his wrist.
“Be careful,” I heard Abraham whisper. Then he walked toward the green door and Robert strode toward the car. “This way, please,” Abraham said.
Robert got in the car, started the engine, and drove away.
“I’d always thought House Gray had a little more class than this,” Left Ned said. “Empty garages and hidden back doors.”
