Six of Hearts(38)

“Hmm.”

“Hmm,” Jay says, mimicking me.

“Has it got to do with your case?”

“We are nosy this evening.”

“Fine, I’ll stop asking questions.”

Jay stands, his stool scraping against the floor. “Are you finished? I think it’s home time.”

“Yeah, I’m done.”

We leave the pub and drive back to the house in silence, though it’s a comfortable kind. After spending the day with him, I feel like I know Jay a lot better now. Well, I don’t know much about him in terms of hard facts, but I do feel less antsy in his company, more relaxed.

The next day at work is another slow one. Dad comes in and out of his office several times to check the appointment list. It’s still just as empty as it was the last four times he checked.

“Things will pick up,” I try to reassure him, but he doesn’t look reassured.

I take a long lunch and go sit in the park to eat my sandwich. Since I managed to get my new sewing machine with Jay’s help, I no longer have to save up and can afford the nice sandwiches from the deli, rather than bringing a packed lunch. Although, from the way our appointment numbers have gone down, I’ll probably be back to saving again pretty soon.

There must be some way to help boost the business, I think to myself.

When I get back to the office, I spend some time researching online advertising and exploring ways in which Dad could branch out. I bookmark a couple of ideas and then shut down my computer for the day.

As I walk to the bus stop, I notice a weird stencil on the pavement. It looks like it’s been done with some sort of chalky substance. There’s a big red heart, inside of which is the number six. Inside the hole in the six is one of those QR codes. It instantly reminds me of Jay’s picture in the newspaper, where he’d been holding a six of hearts. He’d also left that exact card on my phone when he’d made it miraculously disappear and then appear.

Pulling said phone out of my handbag, I scan the code and wait to see what happens. A slick website pops up, all done in black and electric blue. An image of a man on a stage makes up the background. His back is turned to the audience, his arms spread out like an eagle. It takes a second for me to realise it’s Jay, because he’s topless and I haven’t seen him topless before. His tattoos dance along his skin, looking almost alive. Beneath the image are just a few lines.

July 26th, 8 p.m.

The Paint Cellar,

Temple Bar,

Dublin 2.

And that’s all there is, just one page, no other info at all. I hurry to the bus now, eager to get home and question Jay about the mysterious website. What’s going to happen on that date and at that location?

My pores tingle with excitement.





Ten




At home I find Jay in the kitchen with Jessie. He’s writing furiously into an old moleskin notepad, while Jessie listens to music on a pair of ultra-hip headphones, bobbing her head to the beat. What catches my attention most of all, though, is the cage that’s been placed by the window containing two beautiful white doves.

“Oh, my God, they’re so pretty,” I exclaim, going over to get a better look.

Jay puts down his pen, stands up, and walks toward me. “You like my girls, huh?” he murmurs, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.

“I really do. Are they yours?”

“Yep. Jessie was keeping them for me at her place.”

“What are their names?”

“This one’s Ellen,” says Jay, pointing to the one on the left. “And this one’s Portia. If you haven’t already guessed, I let Jessie name them. She thinks it’s funny.”

“Ah. But how can you tell them apart? They both look identical to me.”

“They’ve got different personalities. Ellen’s the chatty one. Portia’s the sleepy one.”

“I see,” I reply before continuing excitedly, “Are you going to be keeping them here from now on?”

“Sure am.” He smiles indulgently, his face close to mine.

“I’m so happy! I haven’t had a pet since my cat died.”

Jay starts rubbing my shoulder now, the friendly gesture causing a little more than a friendly reaction in me. I want him to slip his hand beneath the fabric and touch me skin on skin. We watch the birds for a minute or two, and then I remember what I really wanted to talk to him about, so I pull my phone from my bag. Bringing up the website again, I show it to him.

“So, uh, what’s this all about?”

Jay stands back and rubs a hand along his stubble, grinning. “Ah, you saw that, did you? I should have guessed my little Watson would want to solve the mystery.”

My little Watson. Yeah, I think I like the sound of that.