“Your timing is good,” the woman said, lighting yet another candle. “The spirits are restless today so—”
“You misunderstood me,” I interrupted her. “The friend I’m looking for mentioned you. Well, he mentioned someone named Verna… a medium like yourself. That’s why I’m here. And you’re the last Verna on my list, so I’m pretty desperate.”
The woman frowned. “Who’s your friend? Is he dead?”
“No. He disappeared a week ago, but—”
“What’s his name?”
“Adam Markland.”
“What’s your zodiac sign, hun?” she said, sitting at the table and shuffling a stack of cards.
“Aries.”
“Interesting. Please, sit down.”
“Look, I did something stupid,” I admitted, sitting across from her. “I kept a secret from this person, and now he won’t talk to me. He’s not answering my calls or texts. He took a leave of absence, and he never returned home. I know it because I have the keys to his apartment, and I have been sleeping there since he disappeared. I would give anything to—”
“Breathe, Jordan,” the woman said, smiling. “Incidentally, are you a dreamer or a realist?”
I frowned. “How do you know my name?”
She pointed at the crystal bowl in front of her.
“I see things.”
“Right,” I murmured, rubbing my forehead. “I’m a realist, I guess. Look, if you know Adam… my Adam…”
She took my hand in hers as her expression turned serious.
“The friend you’re looking for, Jordan… he’s more of a dreamer. Not the usual kind, but he keeps his hope safely stored.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “Trust issues? Because he’s the loneliest person in the world? Both?”
“Look,” I said, gulping. “I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll pay you. I’ll beg. Just tell me where Adam is.”
The look in her eyes gave me her answer even before she spoke. “I would like to help you, Jordan, but I really don’t know where your friend is.”
“You’re exorcising demons, and you can’t help me with a missing person?” I snapped, only to regret it. “I’m sorry, Verna. I’m desperate. And in love. I’m just… I apologize. I’ll get out of your hair.”
I was at the door when she spoke. “This friend of yours… is he the forgiving type?”
“No,” I admitted, smiling bitterly. “He will never forgive me, which makes me an even bigger fool.”
“What do you hope to achieve, then?”
“I need him to know that what I feel for him is real,” I told her the truth. “That’s all. Anyway… I wish you a good night. No, wait, I didn’t pay you. Do you take credit cards?”
When I turned to look at her, Verna Bulut smiled. “This one is on the house, cop. I like a good love story.”
“It’s not exactly a love story,” I said with a sigh.
“Whatever you want to call it, hun. By the way, there’s a blues joint across the street. Why don’t you go there and have a drink or two?”
“I don’t want a drink, Verna,” I said, feeling defeated. “I tried, and it’s not helping. Also, I’m not sure I like blues.”
