IT’S NOT THE DREAM that wakes me but a ring-tone, muffled and seeming far off like a phone under water. The sun has moved to the opposite side of the building. I’ve slept two hours. The ringing stops.
Disoriented, I stand. My mobile says no messages, no missed calls. The ringing is in my head, or part of the dream.
Coffee.
In the kitchen, I wait for the coffee to brew. Again, I hear the muffled ring-tone that seems to be coming from underwater.
Not a dream.
In the bedroom, I listen carefully. I find the burner phone in the top drawer of my bureau, atop the most intimate of my belongings: clean underwear and socks. Flipping to the display, I answer. The call terminates immediately. But placed atop my skivvies is a typewritten note.
Bumpers, 11 o’clock tonight. (I know you’ll appreciate the irony.) Come alone. No surveillance, no recording devices, no mobile phone but the one you now have in your hand. After last night, they’ll be watching you closely and listening as carefully as if you are a suspect. (Who knows? With enough time, I may convince them you’re working with me-lmao.) If you tell anyone about this meeting, SOMEONE WILL DIE.
I call Gabby on her mobile, straight to voice-mail. I text, no response. In the kitchen, I prepare my coffee. In the living room, I wait. I dial Gabby again, straight to voice-mail.
I dial Melissa. Déjà vu all over again; straight to voice-mail. I text, no response.
Gut churning, I ring Tony Giardano at the Precinct. He answers on the first ring. “Giardano.”
“It’s Fortune. What’s happening over there?”
“I’m not supposed to talk to you.”
“Why?”
“You’re on suspension. Upton is planning to send a car to pick you up.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Do you know where Fernandez and Mel are? They’re not here, and they haven’t checked-in. They’re not picking up. Upton thinks you’re all in it together.”
“I haven’t talked to Gabby or Mel since yesterday. Only messages and voice-mail, but they don’t respond.”
“No one seems to know where they are. You should speak to Upton.”
Thinking I’m going to be sick, I select End Call.