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"Lily, we’re looking for a desperate man who doesn’t want to be found You’ve chosen to be involved because of your friendship with E him doesn’t rest solely on your shoulders"

"But it’s like he fell off the map He did fall off the map How did he disappear so fast?"

"I don’t know, but we aren’t at a dead end We have the high school inforht have known Jack way back when And there are other options"

The doors slid open, taking Lily’s direct gaze with theh the lobby to get directions to the closest coffee shop Both Lily and E local business enterprise, etc, etc

"Down the street, intersection of Union and South Second," I told Lily, and then followed her through the lobby She had on jeans and some kind of flohite shirt with brown ehtly, but I could see the outline of her curves through it

"Are you going to be warestured toward the shirt, but I didn’t really look at it Or her

"Worried I ht catch a cold?" There was a hint of a tease in her voice

"I was raised to be a gentleh In most circumstances"

"I’ll be fine It’s not that far What’s the na for?"

"Cockadoos"

"Cockadoos," she repeated

"That’s what I said"

The Peabody lobby was grandiose almost to the point of excess Lots of s of chairs, and jazz playing in the background, softened it just enough to keep it welco

"What’s with Me fountain full of ducks as alked past "They get escorted down here every day on a red carpet, and then go back up to their penthouse Ducks Have a penthouse On a roof I don’t get it"

Cold air rushed through the doors as we stepped outside

Lily rubbed her ar ht here on the street?"

"Shut up You’re cold My shirt is flannel, and war-sleeved T-shirt on, too" I pulled my arms out of the sleeves and held it out for Lily as if I were helping her into a coat When she didn’t react, I shook it a little

"I’ else in this wind I’ll be fine" She waved it away and started walking again "Let’s just hurry"

"Lily" I didn’tto win, a me a half smile, she walked back and slid her arms into the sleeves "Thank you That was very … nice"

"Sometimes I do nice" I shovedout a too-long sleeve and hit

"Okay, I take it back," Lily said, stopping short once we arrived at our destination "The bird thing totally works"

The outside of the café had quaint tables, a bright blue awning, and a neon sign with a picture of a rooster Inside, we found yelloalls, exposed brick, and coo line instead of taking a table I ordered a double espresso for Em and Mexican hot chocolate for myself Lily ordered a mint tea, and then watched everysatisfied with the results

I paid, Lily gru, and then we stepped back outside