9:00–9:17: sent emails
9:30: hung out at café
11:00-ish: left for 42nd Street
11:30-ish: took train to Erling’s; found body; lost phone; took train back to city
3:00–3:30-ish: called WorkSpace
9:00–6:00A.M.: spent night at WorkSpace
WEDNESDAY
Noon-ish: bought food at Eastside Eats, East 7th St.
Afternoon: walked near Tompkins Square Park
Maybe evening: ate at Pairings
Night: stayed at the Element Hotel
THURSDAY
8:05: arrived at Greenbacks
There are now many fewer blanks, but I still have questions. I return my attention to the phone and quickly text Damien.
Can you meet me at the bar of the Element Hotel tonight?
34
Damien is already at the bar when I arrive at around 9:30. He’s wearing jeans and a checked shirt, and his blond hair looks damp on the sides, as if he’s smoothed it back with wet hands. There’s a beer bottle in front of him and a glass he doesn’t seem to be bothering with.
“It’s really good to see you, Ally,” he says. This time Idoget a kiss on the cheek, one that lingers a little. And then an embrace, which I return.
“I appreciate you coming on such short notice,” I say. The bartender approaches and I order a beer, too.
“I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’m actually doing okay, all things considered.”
He smiles. “It must feel good to know you handled the situation brilliantly. Ms. Linden in the kitchen with a candlestick.”
I laugh out loud. “That’soneway to put it.”
“Are you getting the support you need right now?”
“Pretty much. Though as of this week, I’m separated from my husband, and that’s going to be really tough. Still, it’s the right decision for both of us.”
His expression is inscrutable, so I have no idea what he’s thinking. The waiter sets my beer down, and I take a sip from the bottle.
“Thatistough,” he says. “Sorry to hear it.”
“Thank you... I feel like all we’ve done lately is talk about me. What aboutyou, Damien? What’s happening in your life?”
“I guess life is good overall. I’m single at the moment and still living down here. Playing the guitar, though I don’t know if I’ve improved since you last heard me. Trying to squeeze in as much travel as possible. And still loving every day at Greenbacks.”
“Has Sasha surfaced again?”
