Her normally immaculate hair had begun to curl around her face.
Even from the driver’s seat, I could see that she had been crying.
I unlocked the passenger door.
“Your chariot awaits.”
She looked up.
For a second, surprise crossed her face. Then she managed a faint smile.
“Daniel sent his most irritating friend.”
“His most dependable friend, too. Unfortunately, the two qualities come together.”
She opened the door and settled into the passenger seat.
“Thank you for coming, Alex.”
“Of course. Did the car die completely?”
“Apparently. It made a terrible noise, flashed three warning lights, and then decided retirement was the only reasonable option.”
“Sounds like it has a lot in common with me.”
She laughed softly.
It was a small sound, but it was familiar enough to reassure me.
Then she turned toward the window and went quiet.
I pulled away from the curb.
For several minutes, we listened to the rain beating against the roof. The radio played a low jazz song, and the windshield wipers moved back and forth with mechanical patience.
