Chapter 18: Impractical Jokes

The box was surprisingly heavy, the new residence on the meat adding more weight than expected. The first order of business was to close the lid, to at least dampen the smell. That was the worst part, even more than the view or the note. Neither of which were a day at the beach in their own right.

The Ericsson buzzed in his pocket, making quite a racket, pulling out the fussy little thing, he was surprised to see the number for Katie lit up in green on the screen.

“Hello.”

“Hi,” Katie said, her voice going breathy, “I just wanted to tell you I had a great time the other week, at the fund-raiser. Those things are usually so boring.”

“Uh, thanks,” Declan said, not usually comfortable with praise.

“Anders was a bit of a jerk, but what else is new?”

“I know, right?” Declan asked, looking at the box.

“What are you doing now?”