Page 62 of Something Like Forever

“He's easier on the eyes.His Japanese isn't as fluent, but I can't blame you for making theswitch.”

“I didn't have anything todo with it. Despite what I’ve been told, I figured you might bebehind this.”

The line was quiet. “Ifthere is some conspiracy here, it pains me not to be part ofit.”

“Oh come on! You alwaysknow way more than you should.”

“Then I’m sorry todisappoint you. What am I missing?”

Tim grinned. Marcellodidn't know! “Never mind,” he said. “Looks like Corey has a lead. Ihave to go.”

“Just a moment!” Marcelloprotested. “I'd like you to clarify what you meant by—”

“Sorry,” Tim said. “I'mgetting a lot of glares. Cultural thing. I don't want to offendanybody.”

“A hint is allI—”

“We'll talk later!Bye!”

He hung up the phone and laughed. He knewsomething that Marcello didn't? That was a rare occurrence, onethat he intended to enjoy. While it lasted. Marcello was probablyplaying detective already.

When Tim returned to thetable, Corey greeted him with good news. He had found two morepotential locations and scheduled appointments for the afternoon.This was in addition to three they already had. One of those wouldsurely work out. Then it would only be a matter of getting it setup, and Tim would be back in Austin sooner rather thanlater.

By the end of the day, hewasn’t feeling as optimistic. He was noticing a pattern of realestate agents pretending they had what he wanted, just to get himto a property. He didn’t know what they expected to happen then,aside from him deciding what he really needed was a greasyrestaurant, or in one case, a glorified chicken coop.

“I’m never eating eggsagain,” Corey said as they left the former egg battery. “Althoughmaybe putting an art gallery here would make astatement.”

“That we were desperate,”Tim said, stifling a yawn. “We can do better. We just need to keeplooking.”

“You’re jetlagged,” Coreysaid, looking him over. Then he checked his watch. “We’re done forthe day. Should we have dinner somewhere?”

“I’d rather grab a drink,”Tim admitted. “Besides, don’t you need to get back to yourman?”

“I’ll invite him along.That is, if you don’t mind company.”

“I need a nap,” Tim said.“Once I’m recharged, I’m up for anything. Actually, you know thosekaraoke rooms you see in movies sometimes where Japanese guys getsuper-wasted?”

“Lost in Translation?” Coreyasked.

“Yeah! Exactly. Are thosereal?”

“Absolutely.”

Tim grinned. “Am I a horrible tourist forwanting to do that?”

Corey laughed. “Not at all. I know just theplace.”

“Good. In that case,forget the nap. Let’s just go there now.”

“Kioshi isn’t off workyet, and I need to pick him up. Besides, I want out of this suit ifwe’re going to get sloppy. A nap will do you good. Then we’ll goout.”

Tim shrugged, happy theyhad reached the SUV. “You’re the boss.”

“I like the sound ofthat.” Corey looked a little concerned as he opened the driver-sidedoor. “Do you and Marcello drink together often?”

“Sometimes,” Timsaid.

Once they were both seated in the vehicle,Corey asked another question. “Are you able to keep up withhim?”