Clear signs of the Spring

淸明 [5] / [9]

"Very simple, but beautiful,” Cynthia said,

"You don't need to forget what you like or what you want to do just because you're doing something else. You can never lose it if it lives inside you. By the way, lets have a cup of coffee."

Alexander grinned at her, and got up. When they approached the entrance of the cafe, his phone rang. It was an unknown number, to be sure, but it wasn't even displayed on his screen. What the screen showed him was ‘no name, restricted number’.

He cared nothing for what the screen said and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Detective Gresham?"

It was a very heavy, low, but somewhat reliable male voice.

"This is he. Who's this?"

"I'm going to tip you off to where the woman known as Sarah, or Nina, is located.”

Alexander was quiet, but the voice continued unperturbed.

"I assume you know who I'm talking about, yes? Oh, don't be alarmed. This isn't a trap or anything. Merely someone seeking to tie up loose ends."

Finding his voice, Alexander replied,

"What loose ends, what are you talking about?"

"You'll see," said the voice on the other end of the phone,

"Once this is all over, you'll know exactly what I mean. Until then, suffice it to say that we have a common enemy."

"I don't even know your name,"

replied Alexander.

"That's right, you don't. Meet a man at the docks on the opposite side of Lennox Street, near the waterfront. I'll tell you what you need to know there, but you must come alone. No one, not even your partner―"

"Just how the hell do you know who my partner―"

"Just come alone. I'll answer your questions then. Not here,"

said the strange voice from somewhere, it seemed, far away.

"How do I get in touch with you?"

Alexander asked, hoping to at least get a number.

"Don't you worry," said the voice, blankly,

"I'll get in touch with you again soon."

The line went dead. Alexander couldn't be sure this wasn't a trick or some nasty joke. He explained the conversation to Cynthia, and went back to the office. They traced the number, but nothing came up. Neither any base station nor IP address.

"You can't go there alone. We have to ask for support. And I will be with you too,"

Cynthia insisted.