“Not really, since we practicallywereorphans,” says Miguel, but he doesn’t sound upset. “We were worried my Aunt Ceci could die suddenly, too, just like my mother did.”
“Oh,” says Dane softly. “What happened?”
“Heart attack, even though we have no family history of heart problems. It was right after she found out my dad had started another family a couple miles away from where we lived. She’d loved him since they were kids and thought they’d be together forever. Finding out he didn’t feel the same way was too much for her.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been rough on you. And then Amelia having heart problems, too…”
“It is what it is,” says Miguel, shrugging. “But Miriam and I decided we should figure out what to do, just in case.”
Dane walks over to him and puts a hand on his shoulder. “That’s a heavy load for a kid, chief. Good thing you have Miriam—she’s the bomb. I always wanted a sibling, but no dice.”
“Miriam’s the best,” Miguel murmurs in agreement.
“She’s smoking hot, too.”
“Dane.”
“Just sayin’.”
“Maybe don’t.” Miguel shakes his head. “All right, enough chitchat. The only adventure I’m interested in now is one that results in me not having to refund eight thousand dollars to angry customers.”
“Done and done,” says Dane, clapping his hands together. “Let’s go find our absconding author.”
Ten
“You sure this isn’t creepy?” Dane whispers.
If you must ask that question, the answer’s almost certainly yes—thatis what I’m sure of. Nonetheless, we’re in front of Jonathan’s townhouse, so I gently nudge him with my nose to indicate that there’s no turning back now.
“We’re just being pedestrians,” says Miguel, squinting at the boxy modern building. The walls are mostly glass, though the inside’s hidden by thick curtains. The lawn, which is behind a tall metal gate, is covered with pebbles instead of grass. In its center, there’s a sign with a picture of a dog squatting with a circle around him and a line through both.
So JMB’s not a dog lover. Yeah, well, now I’m not such a fan of his, either.
“Uh, I feel like we’re gawking more than we’re walking,” says Dane.
Miguel ignores this comment. “You’re sure you got the right address? This doesn’t seem like him. I was imagining, like, something classy with red brick and window seats. You know—bookish.”
“I’m as surprised as you, but of course I’m sure. Found his address in last year’s tax records, and there’s been no sale on this property since then.”
“Tax records? Now who’s creepy?”
Dane frowns. “Thought you wanted to find JMB.”
“I do,” Miguel says quickly. “In fact, I’m almost impressed. I just didn’t realize you had thecojonesto pull that off.”
“I told you, I’m good at tech stuff. If you’re ever ready to set up an online store…”
Miguel holds up a hand. “Focus, Dane.”
“I’m focused, chief! Should we go knock?”
“Not just yet.” Miguel looks down at me. “Harold, I wonder if maybe I should have left you behind. Might be weird bringing you to the front door, especially given that no-dogs sign.” He rubs his head and thinks for a moment. “Let’s walk the block first, observe the area as casually as we can—just in case anything’s amiss or he’s out and about.”
“I wonder if we should come back when it’s dark?” Dane seems unusually nervous for someone whose first idea was to stash Jonathan in the trunk. “The guy’s probably way too used to people getting all up in his business.”
“No one’s in anyone’s business—we’re just out for a walk. So, let’s walk.”
A lot of people must live in JMB’s neighborhood, because as we make our way back down the block toward the car, we weave through strollers and gaggles of teenagers and loads of dogs and their humans. I can tell the crowd’s making Miguel twitchy, but the truth is, we’d never be this invisible if we were in West Haven.
