Chapter 25. The door opened and Sabian walked into his apartment at 7 o'clock in the morning

looking bone-weary. I had never seen him looking quite like that, and I probably never would

again, because he snapped to attention the instant he saw me standing in his kitchenette. For a moment,

he looked like he was going to bellow,

and then it all just seemed to deflate out of him, and he closed the door. Out late? I asked,

bearing in mind that I have access to a police band radio and know exactly what you Eagle Scouts were

up to in the wee hours. You got a hell of a nerve, you know that? he asked, hanging up his coat on the back of the door.

I also have pizza, I said with a smile and a presentational wave of my hand.

Please tell me you didn't lead the two officers I had tailing you right to my apartment, he said.

His eyes mostly closed and pinching the bridge of his nose.

I lost those two cupcakes over an hour ago, I said.

I thought it would be simpler to ditch them before I got the pizza.

I'm completely serious about the pizza, by the way.

Yeah, I can smell it, he said.

What do you want, Dixon?

Have you tried this, I said, pointing at what was left of a slice in my hand?

It's tomato sauce and cheese on a kind of a flat round bread.

They make it at all hours.

I know it sounds stupid, but it's delicious.

I know what pizza is, he said, irritated.

Yes, but did you know there's a 24-hour place on Elm that will put one in this little adorable box so you can take it with you?

I gestured to the box and caressed it lightly.

...