Chapter 13

13

S ol got home with not much time to spare . They'd walked for hours. They started in Raval, strolling down carrer Montalegre, visiting the fifteenth-century chapel converted into a gallery on carrer Hospital, and meandering between the fruit and fish stalls at Mercat de la Boqueria. They then moved through many of the hidden spots of the Gothic quarter—the kiss mural by Joan Fontcuberta, the remains of a Roman temple on carrer Paradís, the steps at pla?a del Rei—and finished by window shopping in Born.

They talked about themselves a bit—Luke had two older sisters, Sol was an only child—but it had been mostly about the city. Sol loved her peaceful strolls in the history-filled narrow streets of Barcelona, and Luke had behaved like the perfect companion, which is to say he'd listened but mostly he hadn't been intimidated by the long silences meant to let them enjoy their surroundings. It had almost surprised her how easy it had been to walk alongside him in perfect quietness. It had been comfortable in a way she rarely felt while meeting someone new.

He'd asked her— pleaded was probably a more fitting verb—to take him to dinner that night or he'd be forced to resort to eating in the first place he found again. She'd said no. She had plans that night. But she was smitten by him even if she had no intention of admitting it, and she'd agreed to think about having dinner with him the following day.

When Laia started video calling her, Sol checked the time and realized she was the late one for their date. They tried keeping their weekly meetings even when one of them was not in London.

"Fas tard. Què ha passat?" Laia inquired, surprised about Sol not being her usual extra punctual self.

"Nothing, I just got home. I took a long, beautiful stroll," Sol said.

"How's Barcelona?" Sol could hear the longing tone in her voice.

"Beautiful," Sol said.

"Do you realize this is the second time you've used that word in less than a minute? You're not the sentimental type who overuses adjectives."

"I guess the sun is proving me well."

"The sun? It's only March! You can't have sunstroke. What are you not telling me?" Laia asked.

"I doubt that has anything to do with me enjoying the beauty," said Sol, more for herself than for Laia.

" What do you doubt has anything to do with you becoming a peppy, tenderhearted person all of a sudden?"

Sol resented the implication of who she'd become because nothing could have sounded duller, but she told her friend about her day.

After Sol informed him that he should not have dinner before half past eight in the evening, preferably nine apparently, Luke headed to the hotel to kill some time and see if there was any work-pressing business.

He texted Divya first.

Luke Contadino: How are things? Any new info on Agatha?

While he waited for his colleague's answer, Luke started a group message to his bosses. He needed to update them on his efforts to track Sol down and learn more about her involvement in the case. He phrased that last part as an almost totally certain lack of involvement .

Except he really wasn't that confident.

And if that lack of certainty about Sol's innocence wasn't bad enough, he doubted his approach with her would yield anything other than guilt. The encounter at the bar the previous day had been a welcome coincidence, and even though he'd managed to bring up the case with her, he felt bad about his deception.

He knew he should stop flirting. It was acceptable to make her acquaintance to gain information, but that should be all. And he was perfectly aware that wasn't all he was playing at with Sol.

Divya Bakshi: Agatha has gone the stringer way.

Luke Contadino: She is all chic and has a sexy accent?

Divya Bakshi: Lol, no

Divya Bakshi: She's left the country

Luke Contadino: ???

Divya Bakshi: I know. Sanjay was keeping an eye on her yesterday. She's in Tokyo

Luke Contadino: Is Sanjay there?

Divya Bakshi: In Tokyo? No! Too far and too expensive. Plus T&T keep convinced your stringer is the thief.

Luke Contadino: She's not

With that last message, he now found himself not being completely honest with his managers but also with Divya. He really didn't know if Sol was the thief or not, but he preferred his colleagues not to know.

Divya Bakshi: Did you find anything?

Luke Contadino: Not really. But I asked Sol and she seemed to genuinely think the theft didn't happen at Josie's.

Divya Bakshi: You asked her?

Luke Contadino: We had a sweet snack together

Divya Bakshi: Ring me

Luke did as he was told. He had two older sisters. He knew not to question or rebel against women's authority.

"What do you mean you've asked her and that you had a sweet snack together? You've talked to the Stringer about the theft?" Divya said as a greeting when she picked up his call. "You know we haven't been authorized to disclose our identity as investigators and interrogate any of the suspects, right?"

"I didn't disclose anything. I bumped into her yesterday by accident and we chatted."

"You bumped into her?"

"Yes, small city. Don't tell her I've said that though."

"Do I need to remind you this is not the place to meet people?"

"You don't," Luke said.

"Get it together, Luke. I'm not sure you getting closer to the Stringer is a good idea," Divya said.

"I was just trying to get some clarity." He knew his excuse sounded flimsy.

"Right. Did you get any?"

"No."

"If you're really so sure of her innocence, follow her around for one more day. Send a boring report to our managers and insist on coming back. There's work to do here," she ordered more than advised.

"You're right." Luke felt the vibration of his mobile as he received a text message. "Have to go now. Talk to you tomorrow. Cheers."

He read the message.

Sol Novo: OK to dinner tomorrow. Meet me at La Panxa del Bisbe at 21 sharp. I'll take care of the reservation. Dress code: Effortlessly Hip

His response was instant.

Luke Contadino: Not sure I packed any appropriate clothes, tbh

Sol Novo: I'm sure you'll manage