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“I’ht here?”

“Less than five minutes now Don’t be afraid Walt’s downstairs”

“Right”

“Hanging up now”

We disconnect, andfor If this asshole was stupid enough to send mail to my condo, we can track it all the way back to his doorstep Shit! Snatching up the phone again, I call Star right back

“What is it!” Her voice is a gasp

“Everything’s fine,” I say, trying to ease her back down “Don’t throay the envelope Don’t touch it any more than you have to”

“I left it in your condo!” she cries

God daot to have that envelope, Star I’ll stay on the phone with you Go back across the hall and get it”

“Hang on Caht back” Door opens, door closes, noise of franticwheel as I wait Finally, a loud exhale of relief “It’s here! I have it”

“Pick it up carefully by the edges and put it in a plastic bag” I’ I’ll be up in less than a minute”

We disconnect, and my next call is to the office

Stuart has the closure flap on the envelope and the stamp in his hands, and frustration lines his brow “They’re all stickers None of this requires saliva”

“So whoever it is knows better than to leave behind traces of DNA”

We both sit back and stare at the brown envelope and the white sheet of paper I pick up the letter and read it again