Klempner
I tap and wait. The answer’s a little slower in coming than usual…
Timezone?
Ah, yes… Early morning there. Perhaps I’ve rung too early…
But as I’m about to ring off, the line clicks and connects. “Good morning, sir.” Hickman’s tone is polite but sleepy.
“My apologies, Hickman, I wasn’t thinking. I should have rung later.”
“That’s fine, sir. I was already out of bed. You caught me making coffee.” A pause and a gulping sound testify to his words.
“How are things over there, Hickman? Everything alright?”
“Absolutely fine, sir. There’s not a murmur of anything amiss. If there had been, naturally I would have contacted you immediately.”
“Mitch?”
“I’d say Miss Kimberley is missing you, sir. She spends a lot of time staring into space and fiddling with your ring.”
“And my daug
