Page 74

James Morley motioned towards his face.

“…Ugly-ass mustache,” Nick finished for him.

“Yeah. That handlebar thing.” Morley gave Nick a sour look. “He said some racist shit I won’t repeat, but the impression I got is that the family who works for the Tanakas is also Japanese. The holiday they were celebrating is something specific to their heritage. Or maybe their specific family. Or maybe their specific town in Japan. Something to do with the youngest daughter, from what Youngston said.”

Nick thought about that for a second.

He thought about the date, the time of year.

Then he grunted, half in surprise.

“Yeah. Doll’s Festival. That’s what it used to be, at least.”

It was strange to think about. He remembered celebrating with his sisters when he was a kid, then with his sister’s daughters when he was an adult. All of that felt like a million years ago now.

“It’s a holiday to celebrate having daughters… so Rob got that part right at least. My mom and aunts used to throw a big party every year.”

There was a silence after Nick spoke.

The land on either side of the car was thick with trees now, their trunks, branches and leaves visible above the high cement wall. A streetlight appeared only maybe every quarter mile. The glowing lines in the middle of the road indicated there was no passing, which was almost funny considering Nick hadn’t seen another car since they’d left the security checkpoint and passed through the private gate.

The empty two-lane road led them deeper into Long Island.

Nick could feel Morley looking at him again.

More than necessary.

More than he should be, given the eyes likely on them inside the car.

Nick was considering telling him to cut it out, or maybe jabbing the old man with an elbow and giving him a death stare.

Before he could, Morley spoke up.

“You’re thinking about it. Aren’t you?” Morley kept the question vague. “That place you came from? You’re thinking about it a lot lately.”

He asked it casually almost, like he was inquiring about Nick’s last vacation.

Nick scowled. After a moment of thought, he grunted.

His voice came out hard, blunt.

“Wouldn’t you be?” he asked.

There was a silence.

Then Morley nodded slowly, thoughtfully.

“Yeah,” he said, matter of fact. “Yeah. I suppose I would.”

He looked at Nick, hesitating.

That time he looked like he really wanted to ask more.

Before he got it out, the navigation system on the dash let out a low tone.

Hesitating a beat longer, Morley acknowledged the mapping program’s prompt, glancing at the line on the holographic depiction of the private residence zone.

“I think we’re here,” he commented.