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“No, what I am is a guy?—”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Let me finish. I’m a guy who works for the CIA, which means I see dishonesty on a daily basis. I’d be willing to bet that the ‘roadside guy’ has an in with the mechanic where he took your car. They’ll tell you it’s something way worse than a seventy-dollar battery and then split the proceeds of your outlandish bill.”
“They wouldn’t do that.”
Cope shook his head. “Of course they would.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Sure. What? Another order of baklava?”
“Nope. I’m thinking it’s gotta be more important than that.”
I studied him. He was serious about this. “Why?”
“I don’t know.”
6
COPE
“What do you mean you don’t know?” she asked.
I couldn’t explain it, but there was something about this woman. “If I’m right, you’ll try out the bike. And you won’t move it.”
“What? That’s crazy. No. And I didn’t say I wanted to bet. I just want to get my car fixed so I can do my job.”
“You said ‘sure.’”
Ali put her hands on her hips. “You’re a twelve-year-old in a grown man’s body. I may have said sure, but I didn’t shake on it, so no bet.”
“If I lose, I’ll give you a story.” What the fuck? Had those words just come out of my mouth? I’ll give her a story? Had I lost my mind?
“Which story?”
“I don’t know. A good one.”
She shook her head. “Warrick’s story.” Before I could say anything, she held up her hand. “Warrick’s trial. An exclusive. Daily updates.”
I was ninety-nine percent certain I was right about the mechanic scamming her, but if I wasn’t, there was no way I could give her what she was asking for.
“That’s what I thought.” Ali began putting lids on the food containers and loading them into the fridge.
“Not really a fair bet.”
She set the last container back on the counter and rested her hands on either side of it. “I’ve had a really long and not-so-great day. I’m tired, and I have to get up really early tomorrow to figure out how in the hell I’m going to get all the way down to Virginia without it costing me a fortune. So, if you wouldn’t mind…”
“I told you I’d give you a ride.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I won’t forget about you again, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ll stop in the garage before I go up to my apartment, and put the battery on my seat.” I saw the hint of a smile.
“That’s how memorable I am? The only way you won’t forget about me is if you almost sit on a big black box?”