Iwasn’tsurehowlong I’d been lying there watching Lila sleep. Her nose scrunched up as I brushed my fingers against her cheek, feeling the heat radiating off her skin. I leaned down and kissed her forehead before getting up from the bed, making sure not to disturb her.
I made my way upstairs, my body heavy with exhaustion. The morning sun shone through the kitchen windows, filling the room with warmth. I sat down at the table and picked up my phone, dialing Vince’s number.
He answered on the second ring, his voice heavy with sleep.
“What the fuck do you want now, dickwad?” he asked.
“Good morning to you, too, Vince,” I laughed.
“I don’t have time for niceties this morning.”
“I need a favor.”
“I just did you a favor, kid.”
“Yeah, and now I need another one.”
“Got anything to do with that missing girl they’ve got all over the TV?”
“What missing girl?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“Some Lila chick. Said she was on a trip with her friend, and when her friend woke up, she was gone.”
“I don’t know anything about that,” I lied.
“Really? Cause the girl's friend has the same name you had me get info for. Don’t think that’s a coincidence.”
“Seems it would be because I have no idea about a missing girl or anyone named Lila.”
“Whatever you say, kid,” he laughed.
“Are you gonna do me a favor or not?”
“You know my favors don’t come free,” he said darkly. “There’s always a price.”
“What’s the price?”
“Dunno. Depends on the favor.”
“I need you to find someone for me. No questions asked.”
“When do I ever ask questions? Who am I lookin’ for?”
“Steven Thatcher.”
Silence filled the phone as I waited for him to answer. My heart pounded as I heard rustling in the background, then he sighed heavily.
“Same last name as that Lila chick,” he muttered.
“No questions.”
“Wasn’t a question, just an observation.”
“No observing either, then,” I sighed.
“How soon you need it?”
“The sooner the better.”
