With the sun disappearing for the evening, it got chilly. The dampness clung to the air like a low-hanging cloud. Not quite foggy, but misty as the wind blew the storm through town and off toward the lake.
Rounding the corner onto his street, he spotted lights on the upper level. Marley was probably up there reading her new book or jamming out to music. His phone rang as he was wiping his feet on the rainbow welcome mat—Marley’s choice. Shutting the door behind him quietly, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and frowned.
An unknown number flashed across the screen. Unsure if it was a spam call, he let it go to voicemail and shrugged out of his jacket. Within seconds, his phone rang again. Same unknown number.
Swiping to answer, Jake hesitantly brought the device up to his ear.
“Hello?”
“About time you picked up, Jake-ass.”
A wave of apprehension washed over him. Though he’d asked for a favor, he hadn’t thought Kenji would come through. Or so quickly.
“Kenji.” Jake cleared his throat. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so quickly.”
“Anything for my friend.” Wherever Kenji was, there seemed to be a lot of background noise. Was someone screaming for their mommy? “Sorry, I might lose you in the elevator.”
Within seconds, the background noises faded away.
“So, I got the information you requested.” Kenji whistled in disbelief. “I don’t know why a model citizen like yourself wants to get involved with this, but I gotta say—you’ve got balls, my man.”
Dread filled his gut.
Who could Kenji be talking about?
“Who is it?”
“Can’t discuss it over the phone. Meet me on Raven Rock in two days at two p.m.,” Kenji commanded, tone serious. He was all-business and no-nonsense Kenji now. This was the version of Kenji Jake had met before they hit it off and became friends, though Jake never forgot how dangerous a man like Kenji could be if double-crossed.
“Got it.”
“Oh, and Jake?”
“Kenji?”
“Bring me those fresh summer rolls I love from The Lotus, will ya?” Kenji laughed.
Rolling his eyes, Jake hung up on Kenji without responding. Walking farther into his house, he stopped at the foot of the stairs.
“Marley, I’m home!” He knocked on the wall three times in case she had her headphones on.
“Welcome home!” Marley’s voice was muffled as she responded to his greeting. A small smile worked its way across his face as he headed into the kitchen to make dinner.
He’d brought the usual snacks on his hike, but the rain-soaked, tension-filled hike with Gia within arm’s reach had made him hungry. Despite his limited culinary abilities, he could cook the basics to sustain both Marley and himself.
Tonight’s menu included spaghetti and meatballs. Well, frozen meatballs. And frozen garlic bread. It was a simple meal, but one both he and Marley enjoyed.
While the sauce was simmering on the stove, Jake grabbed a beer from the fridge. Popping the top off with the magnetic bottle opener he kept on the fridge, he nearly groaned out loud as the flavors exploded on his taste buds. The muscles in his shoulders relaxed as the alcohol worked through his body.
Once dinner was ready, he plated two servings and brought them to the adjacent dining table. Again, he knocked on the wall three times.
“Dinner’s ready!” Jake shouted up the stairs.
“Coming!” Marley shouted before rushing out of her room.
“How’s the book?” Jake asked as Marley hopped off the last step, landing with a dramatic flourish.
“So good.” Marley practically raced into the kitchen. “Yummy, my favorite!”
