Girlfriend

Jude drove up Columbus Avenue after lunch, heading toward a bike shop near 72nd Street to replace Sophie Reed's damaged bicycle.

As they approached the corner, his phone rang.

Jude checked the caller ID and sighed. It was Martha Li, the former landlady from the walk-up apartment building he had lived in before taking over his funds. She had always looked out for him when he was starting out, and because he hadn't changed his primary number, she still assumed he was working courier jobs and made it her priority to set him up.

"Jude, where are you right now?" Martha asked the second he answered. "My friend's niece is in town! She saw your photo and wants to meet you right away. Send me your location."

Jude rubbed his brow. "Aunt Martha, I'm running errands. Let's skip it."