A Strict Deadline

VAUGHN

I watched the three gray typing bubbles dance across my phone screen. They vanished. A pause followed. Then they popped up again.

Tessa: *Should I even care to ask where you got my number?*

My thumb tapped the glass. Vaughn: *No. Just answer my question.*

I hit send. Dalton's monotone voice droned on in the background, rattling off some endless report about delayed permits for a new res