“Fair.”
That answer surprised her.
Ray continued.
“Then tell me something else.”
“What?”
“When did she last eat?”
Lily looked away.
“Yesterday.”
Ray felt something cold settle in his chest.
“And you?”
Nothing.
“When did you eat?”
“I ate.”
“What?”
“Stuff.”
“That is not food.”
Lily almost smiled.
Almost.
Then she looked toward the road again.
“I need to go.”
Ray nodded.
“Take the sandwich.”
She stepped backward.
Then stopped.
“If you’re going to call the police…”
“I told you I’m not.”
“If you change your mind…”
Ray waited.
Lily swallowed.
“Can you wait until she eats?”
For one brief second, Ray Mercer had no idea what to say.
Not because he misunderstood.
Because twenty years disappeared.
He was twenty-nine again.
A pay phone ringing.
His younger brother Danny’s voice.
I need you to come.
Ray had said he was busy.
He had said they would talk tomorrow.
Tomorrow arrived too late.
Ray looked at Lily.
“No police.”
She nodded.
Then ran.
Ray stood in the alley long after she disappeared.
Rain soaked through his vest.
He barely noticed.
When he returned to the Iron Lantern, Marla had replaced his coffee.
She watched him sit.
“You find her?”
“Yes.”
“Get your burger back?”
“No.”
Marla folded her arms.
“So?”
Ray stared at the empty plate.
“Give me another burger.”
She smiled.
“Knew you were hungry.”
“Not for me.”
Her smile disappeared.
“What?”
“Wrap two.”
Marla studied him.
Then walked toward the kitchen without another question.
Ray waited.
Five minutes later, she returned with a paper bag.
“Two burgers.”
She placed another bag beside it.
“Fries.”
“I didn’t ask for fries.”
“I know.”
Ray looked at her.
Marla shrugged.
“I’m capable of charity too.”
Ray pulled cash from his wallet.
She pushed his hand away.
“Don’t.”
“Marla.”
“Go.”
Ray picked up the bags.
The problem was he had no idea where Lily lived.
He drove slowly through the blocks behind the Iron Lantern in his old Ford pickup.
Not the motorcycle.
Rain was getting worse.
Three blocks away stood a tired apartment building called Franklin Arms.
Ray had seen children come from there toward the school bus.
He parked.
Waited.
Nothing.
He felt ridiculous.
Then a small figure crossed beneath a streetlight.
Lily.
Ray stepped out.
She stopped immediately.
“You followed me.”
“I brought food.”
“I already have food.”
“One half of my burger.”
Ray held up the bags.
Lily stared.
“Why?”
“Because two burgers seemed better than half.”
Suspicion returned.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“People don’t do things for nothing.”
“Some do.”
Lily shook her head.
“Not people I know.”
That sentence stayed with him.
Ray extended the bag.
She did not take it.
Finally he placed it on the hood of his truck.
“You can take it after I leave.”