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As we plowed through the gang at the bar toward the back roo steel-band version of a Bob Marley classic surrounded us, as well as the divine aroarlic, and curry Cindy and Yuki were already at our booth, and Lorraine dragged up a chair for Claire She dropped laminated menus that we knew by heart onto the table and took our order for a pitcher of tap and mineral water for Claire

And then with Cindy urging her on — “Yu-ki, tell them, tell them” — Yuki “volunteered” her news

“It’s nothing,” she said “Okay I had a date With Jason Twilly”

“And you were careful what you said to him,” Cindy said, sternly “You remembered that he’s a reporter”

“We didn’t talk about the case at all,” Yuki said, laughing “It was dinner A very nice dinner, no kissing or anything, so all you guys calm down, okay?”

“Was it fun? Are you going to see hiain?”

“Yeah, yeah, if he asks me, I suppose I will”

“Jeez First date in what, a year?” I said “Think you’d be more excited”

“It hasn’t been a year,” Yuki said “It’s been sixteen ?”

“We’re toasting Ruby Rose,” said Claire, lifting her water glass

“Who?” we all asked in unison

“Ruby Rose She’s right here,” Claire said, patting her belly “That’s the nairl”

Chapter 47

WHEN I RETURNED ho above the horizon, splashing orange light on the hood of a squad car parked right outside my apartment

I bent to the open car , said, “Hey there So?”