“Would you like a section?” I didn't particularly feel like sharing but I'd hand it over gladly if he'd stop staring at me the way he was. I was pretty sure he would decline, though. I'd already spotted his sweat marks on the business section.
“No, I'm fine,” he said but didn't look it.
I picked up my pen to continue my crossword, for want of something else to do. I'd just pretend he wasn't looking at me funny, if that were possible. This office really was the land of misfits. Were they like this when they started, or was it something contagious in the bad food and dated decor that seeped into their systems after prolonged exposure?
“The thing is,” Murphy started to say after a few very long and awkward moments, “transfers tend not to stay long. We've been burned before, you know, getting attached and all. I think that's why we all listened to Fate.”
I looked up again. Ever since Kitty's party, it had been pretty obvious Fate had discouraged the others from too much interaction with me.
I nodded, not sure what he was looking to get from me now. I was still a transfer, that hadn't changed and there was nothing I could do about it.
“He doesn't take to transfers well, but you especially. It's sort of odd how set he is on getting you out of here. In the past, he's just ignored them.”
“Any idea why I'm so special? He hasn't talked to you about it?”
“No. But he never reacted this badly before. I know he seems horrible to you, but this is out of character. You know, he's been here longer than any of us. Maybe even longer than Harold.”
“He was here before Harold?”
“I'm not certain, since they've both been here before me, but he's been around a long time.” He looked around the room before he continued. “I probably shouldn't say anything but...I think Fate might've gotten worse after we lost the last Karma.”
My pen point dug through the thin newspaper where I'd been writing a “T.” I wasn't the first Karma? Why had that never occurred to me before, that there would've been someone before me?
“What happened? Where is she, or he?”
“I don't know. She was here one day and then gone the next. Harold said she retired.”
“But you don't believe that?”
“Not sure.”
“Was she a transfer too?”
“No. She'd been here since her creation. It was just strange how she never told anyone she was leaving.” He was fiddling with his hat on the table in front of him and I could see how her disappearance still bothered him.
“Hey, Murphy, do you know all the people in this building?”
He seemed to perk back up a bit with the change in subject.
“Yep. Everyone. Too well, in fact. Same people year after year.”
“Do you know a guy with long black hair and tattoos? Pretty tall, probably about Fate's build?”
His face scrunched up and he shook his head. “Nobody here fits that description. Why?”
“Nothing important. I got a weird vibe off someone on the street the other day and thought perhaps they worked here. My senses are far from fine-tuned. I'm sure it was a mistake.” I started chewing at the tip of my pen, a bad habit that only reared its head when I was truly stumped.
“We haven't had anyone who fit that description in forever.”
“But you used to?”
“Yes. Except for the tattoos. The old reaper. Him and Fate used to be real tight. He retired about twenty years back.”
“Retired?”
“Yeah. Went back into the system, got reborn. He didn't say bye, either. Seems to be becoming a trend around here.”
“You're sure he retired?”
The old reaper. It had to be him. It just fit too neatly. What was he doing at my condo complex, then? Did Harold know he was still around? Wasn't Harold in charge of people going back? He had to know.
“Harold said so.”
So Fate wasn't the only one with secrets. I looked around the office. I hadn't seen him at all today, which wasn't that unusual, except I had a funny feeling in my gut. I never ignored those.
“Have you seen Fate today?”
“Only briefly on my way in, he was headed out. He looked a little rushed.”
“Did he mention where he was going?”
“No.”
That bastard better not have sucked up my energy, gotten a lead on my target and then dumped me. Anyone else I would've given the benefit of the doubt. Him? He got the benefit of the suspicion.
It just didn't make any sense. Why would he want my guy? There was a link here; I just had to figure it out.
I looked over at Harold's door, the light seeping underneath.
“Excuse me, Murphy. I've got to speak with Harold.”
He smiled in my direction. “Just glad there are no hard feelings between us.”
“Not at all.” But there's going to be even more ill will with Fate if he's out there chasing down my murderer without me.
I rapped my knuckles on Harold's door and received a brusque response to enter.
“Where is he?”
Harold looked up from his papers then rolled his eyes when he saw who it was. Right back at you, buddy.
“Who?” he asked, like he didn't already know.
“Fate.”
“I don't know.” He didn't bother looking up from his papers this time.
“The agreement was for us to hunt down my killer together. I'm either in this or not. Don't think you people are going to use me and then give me the cut.” I stepped closer to his desk. I'd riffle through the stacks of papers myself, if that's what I had to do.
“I don't particularly care about your murderer. Is it really that important for you to be involved on every level of the situation if it's being resolved?”
“You might not care, but Fate seems to.”
“No, he doesn't. It's probably just easier for him to handle it on his own.”
Saying Fate didn't care was blatantly wrong. I didn't know why, but Fate wanted my guy. Was Harold covering up for him, or did he truly believe that Fate didn't care?
“Let me make myself clear now. The killer is mine. I'm either privy to every detail or Fate can figure out another way to get information.”
“He doesn't care that much, Karma. I really don't think—”
Harold's words faltered as a yellow slip of paper materialized on his desk. Wow, they did just show up. I'd been somewhat skeptical of that.
Harold looked down and read it quickly. “Fine,” he said through clenched teeth.
“What did that say?”
“It agreed you should know.”
“Then where is he?”
“I still don't know—”
Another slip appeared on top of the last one. Harold looked down and then held it out to me. “This one appears to be for you.”
58 Winding Road, Ogunquit
It was a small coastal town in Maine. I recognized the name. I should. I went there with Charlie last year. But I wasn't going to think about Charlie or what I did in my past life. That was still off limits.
“Do you need assistance getting there?” Harold asked.
I pocketed the slip.
“No. I can do speed dial as well as the next gal.”
***
I parked in my development, not wanting to leave my Honda at the office when I didn't know when I'd get back. I wasn't sure what the space requirements were for the door guys, but I figured the beach was a safe bet.
It was a beautiful day with people soaking up the rays on the sand. I looked around and wondered if they would interfere with my gate. If it were an issue, they'd probably just not show.
I flipped open the ancient phone and scrolled down the huge contact list of three. Harold, Fate and Door Guys.
I pressed number three and waited. It rang once and then stopped.
“Hello?”
No answer.
“Uh, I need a door? I'm on the beach and need to go to,” I dug in my pocket real quick and read off the address.
Still nothing?
I held the phone out to make sure I had a signal. The screen showed a live call so I continued.
“Okay, I'll just hang up and wait here then.”
When Fate had called, it had appeared pretty quickly. I pocketed the phone and looked around. It suddenly appeared in the middle of a gully, the armored guards standing next to the doors knee deep in water. The door guys probably didn't realize they were in the middle of water.
I looked around to see if anyone noticed the huge doors or the medieval-looking guards standing next to them. Nothing. Not even the girl who was lying in the door's shadow seemed to be aware of what was going on.