Page 30 of Gator

“Trixie is a good girl,” she reminded me because, apparently, I was taking too long. “Stachios. Stachios. Stachios,” she chanted over and over.

I pulled out one of the nuts and handed it over. She let out a loud cackle and took the nut. That would keep her busy for a minute, so I left her there and wandered around the apartment. It was small, but it was nice. I went over to the window and looked out. The view was really lovely. I sucked at directions, but even I could tell the window faced north and overlooked part of old downtown Vesper.

The city had spent years revitalizing this part of town, and it seemed to be working. This time of day, most of the businesses were closed, but there was still plenty of activity on the street below. I’d always wanted to live downtown, but I hadn’t wanted to pay downtown prices.

No telling how much money it had cost Three Bears to fix up this old building, but if I remembered correctly, they’d bought it before the major downtown revitalization had started, so they’d probably gotten it for a steal.

I guess if I was going to be stuck here for a few days, I should unpack my clothes before they became wrinkled so badly I couldn’t wear them. I let out a sigh and headed that direction when there was a knock on the door.

“Nobody’s home,” Trixie squawked.

I ignored her and went to the door. I looked through the peephole and saw Mika standing there holding a plastic container.

I pulled open the door, and he smiled at me.

“I brought you some cookies.” He held out the container. I took it and stepped to the side.

“Come on in. I didn’t realize you lived here until Gator told me a few minutes ago. I mean, I knew you’d moved in with Hawk, but I didn’t realize it was here in this building.”

“Yeah, we’re on the opposite end of the building and up one floor. It’s nice. I like it. Hawk told me what was going on, and I just wanted to come by with some cookies and let you know that you’ll be safe here in this building. It’s like a freaking fortress. Also”—he leaned in conspiratorially—“while there are no cameras in the apartments, pretty much every place else in the building is under surveillance. Even the roof. Although sometimes we turn off the roof cameras. You know, for sexy times, although one time we forgot, and that was mortifying. Hopper, he’s one of the security guys who watches the cameras, swears he turned the monitor off, but I don’t know if I believe him or not because every so often he looks at me and Hawk like he knows something, you know.”

“Peepers creepers,” Trixie sing-songed, and Mika’s face lit up.

“Trixie, you’re here.” He forgot about me and his rambling and hurried over to her cage.

I rarely took her to the salon. Birds had sensitive respiratory systems, and I worried about the chemicals we used irritating her. However, on the rare occasion, I would. She was always a big hit on those days, and Mika had met her a couple of times.

“Trixie is here. Trixie is here,” she repeated over and over.

“Can I give her a treat?”

“I’m a good girl.” Treat was a trigger word for her to start assuring anyone who would listen that she deserved to get all the treats.

“Of course you are,” Mika cooed as he looked at me hopefully.

I shook my head and motioned towards the treats. “Go ahead and give her one.”

He handed her a treat and then turned back to me. “So, it sounds like there are some bad guys after you. I know a little about that, but you came to the right place.”

“I think so. This is a pretty nice setup.” I motioned around the apartment.

“It is. There are definitely worse places you could have to hole up in. Do you have any idea how long you’ll be here?”

“None.”

“Well, you won’t get bored, that’s for sure. There’s always a poker game, or some video game going on out there, and all the Three Bears employees are really nice.”

“They seem to be so far. I’ve met Axel before. He gets his hair done at The Shack.”

“Really? How did I not know that we went to the same hairstylist?”

“You don’t.” I laughed. “Migs does his hair. I’ve never had the honor.”

“He’s really precious about his hair.” Mika grinned.

“So Mig’s has said.”

“Well, anyway, Hawk is waiting for me upstairs. So I should get going, and you’re probably tired. Just remember, I’m just upstairs, so if you need anything, give me a call. I know what it’s like to have your life turned upside down, so even if you just want to talk, I’m here.”