“It’s complicated. Are you at home?”
“No, I’m at the office. But, please, go to my place. Use the spare key. I’ll be home at 6 pm.”
“Okay. Thanks, Josie. I owe you one.”
“Nonsense. You don’t owe me a thing. I’ll see you later. Are you okay to drive, babes?”
“I’m fine.”
I drove over to Josie’s apartment. Her parents promised to buy her an apartment once she graduated. They’d made good on their promise and bought their daughter a magnificent three-bedroomed apartment near her office. She gave me the spare key as soon as she’d moved in.
I parked in the private parking garage and took the elevator up to her place. I felt so much better once I was inside. I made myself a cup of chamomile tea and unpacked a few of my things in her spare room. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I remembered was Josie tapping me gently on the arm.
“Hey, Angel,” she said softly. “I’m home.”
“Oh, hi, Josie. Oh, wow. I slept dead. What’s the time?”
“It’s just after 6 pm.”
“Okay,” I said and stretched out.
“What’s going on, my friend? You sounded so broken over the phone.”
“It’s been an awful two days. I’m so stressed and exhausted.”
“Come with me to the kitchen. You must be hungry. I brought food.”
“Great. I’m starving.”
I got up, slipped on a pair of slippers, and followed Josie to the kitchen. The smell of Chinese food wafted up to meet me as soon as my host opened the containers. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and my stomach was voicing its disapproval.
I took a plate from the table and helped myself to the feast. If there was one thing Josie knew how to do it was how to order a fabulous spread. She hated cooking.
I shoved an egg roll into my mouth.
“Ah, Heaven,” I mumbled.
“I’m not going to offer you any wine, but I have a feeling I’m going to need a glass to two,” Josie said and poured some white wine into a glass. “Juice?”
“No, thanks.”
“What’s wrong, Angel?” she asked as soon as we were seated.
I swallowed the egg roll.
“Max is in trouble.”
“What do you mean? What kind of trouble?”
“Serious trouble. The kind that can buy him a one-way ticket to prison.”
“What the fuck, Angel? What did he do?”
“He’s bringing drugs into the States from Russia. He’s using his company to do it.”
“What? No! That doesn’t sound like Max, Angel. Are you sure?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m sure.”