Chapter 34

I showered and shaved—I’d grown tired of the goatee and hadn’t kept it very long—tidied the bed, dressed in what Mark liked to refer to as Mann casual, and went downstairs to see about breakfast.

~*~

TONY AND BRYAN weren’t up yet, but I was familiar enough with their kitchen to start a pot of coffee brewing, make an omelet, and toast some whole wheat bread.

I was having my second cup of coffee of the day when my cell phone rang. I checked the screen, and while I didn’t recognize the number, I did realize the area code was for Los Angeles. I answered, thinking it might be Valentine.

“This is Mann.”

“Mr. Mann, I’m Paul Stark. You don’t know me—”

“You’re a friend of Mark’s.”

“Oh.” He seemed startled.

“I met you a few months ago here in my uncles’ home.”

“Uh… yes, you did. I wasn’t sure if you’d recognize my name.”

“Of course I would. Mark’s spoken of you frequently. How are you?”

“We’re fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”