Free Linkage: The Narrows of Time by Jay Falconer Page A

all over town?”
    “Yeah, they’re everywhere.”
    “Well, Kleezebee owns that company.”
    “Isn’t BTX building the new Atlantis World
Mall, halfway between here and Phoenix?”
    Drew nodded. “I can’t wait to see it. It’s
going to be the world’s largest indoor mall. Kleezebee told me
they’re building a really cool science exhibit for the kids, too. I
hope it includes a telescope for some decent night viewing. The
kids will love that. I just wish it was closer.”
    “Is your apartment nice?”
    “Not really. It’s old and small. But
Kleezebee let’s us live there for free.”
    “That’s very generous of him,” she replied
with a surprised look on her face.
    “He does that for a lot of his staff. Bruno
and Trevor live in our complex, too. Kleezebee even keeps a place
there, though I’m not sure why. He’s never there. I think he sleeps
in his office.”
    “He wears a wedding ring. I take it he’s
married?” she asked.
    “Yeah, but I don’t think anyone’s ever seen
her. I’ve been in his office and his apartment, but there’re no
photos of her anywhere. I’m not sure what the deal is.”
    Drew looked beyond Abby at the checkout
counter along the back wall of the Wildcat House. A
broad-shouldered man with a Mohawk haircut was standing in line,
talking to two female students in front of him. Drew recognized
him. It was the tallest rugby player from the altercation in the
cafeteria—the same one that shoved his wheelchair across the room.
His heart raced and he started to sweat. Not now, he thought. Not
in front of Abby. He should have insisted that Lucas join them for
coffee.
    “Is it a two-bedroom?” Abby asked.
    Drew slumped down in his chair and leaned to
his right, using Abby’s head as a shield. If the jerk turned his
way, maybe he could hide himself from view.
    “Did you hear me?” she asked.
    “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
    “Is your apartment a two-bedroom?”
    “No, it’s only a one. Lucas and I share a
room, just like we did as kids. What about you?”
    “I live in Cochise Hall. It’s just on the
other side of the science lab.”
    Drew took a full bite of the chocolate
muffin, and washed it down with another sip of the revolting
coffee. His throat wasn’t working properly, making it difficult to
swallow. If he choked or coughed, the rugby player might notice
him. He took another sip to wash down the muffin, but he could feel
a cough coming. He used his shirtsleeve to cover his mouth and
muffle the sound. It worked.
    “Are you okay?” she asked.
    It took a few moments to get his voice
working. “I’m fine. Just went down the wrong pipe.”
    “I have a roommate, too. Her name’s Jasmine.
She’s a pre-med student from Colorado. She’s really nice and we get
along great. Her dad’s in the military, I think. I’ve never met
him, but he calls occasionally. They seem close.”
    “Are you from Colorado, too?”
    “I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”
    Drew was not much of a sports fan, but felt
confident he could fake it. “Oh, yes, the home of the Packers and
the Wisconsin Badgers. Do you get home much?”
    “Only during the summer when I can drive back
home. It’s too expensive to fly over the Christmas break.”
    Cool, Drew thought. She’ll be on campus over
the break, too. He won’t have to wait long for another date.
Hopefully, she’ll want another date. Just keep the conversation
moving, he thought—no awkward pauses. “My Mom lives up in Phoenix.
Usually she drives down and picks us up for the holiday, but she
had heart surgery recently and can’t drive. So we plan to stay here
and work on our project over the break.”
    “Is she okay?”
    “Yeah, she’s doing great. The neighbor lady
watches her. She hopes to be back at work soon.”
    Drew glanced at the counter. The rugby player
was still chatting with the girls in line. So far, so good, except
now his stomach was turning flips. He might need to make a run for
the bathroom, soon. Not a bad