“But I may want you to shut down the website,” I said.
Both looked up in wonder, but it was Havisham who asked, “Why?”
“It’s fun to think I can facilitate karma, but”—I paused, searching for words—“it’s not my place. Heck, the original concept of karma suggests that we might not see the results of our actions in this lifetime, that it might be a future one.”
“Believe in reincarnation now, Stark?”
“I’m just one mortal on this planet. What do I know about how the universe operates?”
“Whoa,” said Salcedo, eyes wide, at the same time Havisham narrowed her eyes and asked, “Are you reading books on philosophy and theology now?”
I sighed. “No, it’s just that some of the things I did seem a bit mean in retrospect.”
“They had it coming,” Havisham said.
“So far asIknow, but who am I to know?”
We ate in silence for a few minutes before Havisham asked, “What are you going to do, then?”
I shrugged. “As soon as I catch up on my loans, I think I can cobble together a comfortable life between PI work and paralegal work, and that suits me. I like the flexibility of it, and I do like helping people. The only question is how to get the Douchecanoe to sign over my car title.”
Salcedo nodded. “If you’re sure, then I’ll take the site down.”
“After I’ve paid everything off,” I said. “No need to jinx it. But thank you for putting it all together. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“Yeah, well, if it weren’t for you, I would’ve lost my virginity to an asshole.”
Havisham dropped her fork.
“I know, I know,” Salcedo said as she rolled her eyes. “That’s outdated terminology, but Stark probably saved me from at least twelve STDs.”
Havisham shook her head. “At this point, don’t sleep with anyone until you’re twenty.”
Salcedo arched an eyebrow that said she would do as she pleased, then turned to me. “Anyway ...”
“Yes.”
“We called you here for a few reasons. We missed you. But I also decided to stay here in Georgia. My mother is beside herself, but she understands why I might not want to transfer schools, which is all to ask if your offer still stands.”
“Absolutely.”
She grinned. “Good, because I may need to start moving in this weekend.”
“All right, then,” I said.
“Before I forget, did you draw up the plan for my girlfriend whose roommate is driving her batty? That would be another fifty dollars toward your goal.”
“I’ll get it to you before lunch tomorrow,” I said. “But you just give that money to Havisham as part of my repayment.”
“Bah, I’m not worried about it,” Havisham said with a twinkle in her eye. “You’re not the only one getting laid around here.”
“The cowboy?”
She nodded.
“Is he also a billionaire philanthropist?”
“Eh, millionaire, and he’s definitely a giver in all the areas of life that count.”
