A cop.
Fuck, he thought.
Just then his telephone rang, his heart skipping a beat. Could his thoughts have conjured his elusive lover? His body not here, a voice would have to do.
He dashed over, only to see his mother’s name on the caller ID. His desires deflated.
“Hey, Ma.”
“We’re having dinner at six.”
“Ma, I just got back…”
“The Martino’s—Rosa and Sal both—are joining us. So is Mallory, and apparently she’s bringing…someone.”
“Oh, that’s news.”
“Meaghan’s here, too, of course. Jimmy, Rosa wants to know how Rocky is.”
“I’ll be there, Ma. Give me a half-hour.”
“Oh, and Jimmy, could you pick up some beer, please. For yourself, and for Sal.”
“Okay, no problem.”
With new resolve, Jimmy packed up the file known as the Forever Haunt, putting it back inside the black metal cabinet
