Mrs. Cavanaugh gave me some good
information with her descriptions of both the kids and the car, but I didn’t
exactly have access to police databases. I had to canvass the neighborhood and
go on stakeouts. Fortunately, the neighborhood was on my side to find out who
was responsible. I just had to do the legwork. I was able to narrow it down
to—”
“Matthew,”
Nikki interrupted, “I am rapidly losing interest.”
“You said
you wanted to hear the story. I’m fine not telling this. Believe me.”
“I believe
you are intentionally drawing out the minutiae to stall for time.”
“Despite
appearances, my job is boring, punctuated by moments of traumatic terror.”
“Do not dally,
Matthew. Get to the point.”
“Okay,
sure,” I shrugged. “So after the demons were banished I find this card on my
windshield—”
“Demons!”
Jessie squealed.
“Do not be
deliberately difficult, Matthew, you have enough natural inclination without
that.”
“I just
want to tell the story how it should be told,” I said.
“Then
continue, but without the tedium, please.”
“I’ll do my
best.”