Chapter 35
Even after regular business hours and upon invitation, I feel sure someone is going to kick me out of the Rolex store.
As soon as I enter through a side door, which feels more comfortable than walking through the front door, I can tell everything in this place has a high-end finish.
I don’t fit in here. Had I come here during regular hours through the front door, I have no doubt I would be closely watched, unlike Alex.
Death, taxes, and racially profiling Black and Brown people in expensive shops: the three certainties of life.
The first time I knew I should be jealous of Alex was when his parents’ apartment elevator dropped us off right into their home.
His nanny, a plump woman with a strong German accent, usually greeted us with Alex’s favorite snack of Cheetos and Starbucks, and for me, the ever-elusive Twinkie.
I look at Alex and feel a pang of gratitude for my family—blood and chosen.
I look at the man who led us inside. He had unlocked it almost as soon as Alex had knocked, lying in wait for us. The man who opened the door is slight, but wearing a formal suit, likely what he wore today on the sales floor.
“Okay, so you sent me the picture from your Google search and you’re right.
It is the Master II, Special Edition,” the Rolex employee whispers.
I want to ask for the man’s name; however, I realize he is breaking some sort of rule for me.
Maybe I feel a mutual understanding because we’re both service workers at the whim of often demanding customers.
I can’t imagine some of the assholes who probably frequent this place.
“And there are only twelve, right?” Alex asks.
“Yes. And you have to buy them from the flagship store, which happens to be this one. Out of the twelve made, only four have been sold so far. Here’s the list. I can’t print or send it to you, because that would come back to me. And no photos!”
I make my way toward the shining light of the screen and wait as the man taps quickly on the keypad.
One of these four names is Amaya’s attacker.
I assume we won’t recognize the name, but we’ve narrowed it down to four people in the world.
Just four! We can go back to Alex’s and investigate each one.
I feel like we’re narrowing in and reaching the end.
After taking as many steps back as forward the past few days, it now feels like we’re making progress.
The warm glow of a newly loaded page lights up my face, and I realize no investigation will be necessary.
I recognize a name immediately.