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his desk.
    Greg waved at him from the office next door. Greg was forty-two, lean, with straight, black hair and thick, Coke-bottle-bottom glasses. He came in and sat on the edge of Carl’s desk. “I’ve got one for you,” he said. “‘Wild Thing.’”
    â€œThe Trogs,” Carl said, sticking the package in his bottom drawer.
    â€œWhat’d you buy?”
    â€œJust some underwear,” Carl replied. “How about ‘Five O’Clock World’?”
    â€œThe Association?”
    Carl made a noise like a buzzer. “Oh, we’re sorry. That song was by The Vogues. But we have a lovely parting gift for you. This slim, elegant ballpoint pen from the people at Paper Mate.” He set the pen in his friend’s hand.
    Greg laughed weakly. By the time he’d stuck the pen in his shirt pocket and loosened his tie, his smile was gone. “Listen, Carl,” he said. “This might not be any of my business, but—well, Eve called while you were at lunch. She asked me if I had your phone number. I didn’t even know you two had split up…”
    Carl looked down at his desk blotter and nodded. “Yeah, well, it happened last week. Just one of those things, as they say.” He glanced up at his friend. “Did you talk to her long?”
    â€œNo.” Greg shrugged. “Kind of threw me for a loop. I mean, I thought you two were really happy, with the baby on the way and everything. This seems so sudden. You moved out?”
    Carl smiled tightly and nodded.
    â€œListen, you want to go for a drink after work?” Greg asked, leaning toward him.
    He shook his head. “Really, thanks anyway, Greg. But I still have stuff to unpack and I’ve got to get my new place in order—”
    â€œJust as soon not talk about it, huh?”
    â€œNo, that’s not it,” Carl said. In fact, Greg was probably his closest friend, which suddenly struck him as very odd, because he never really confided in Greg much. Up until the week before, he’d considered Eve his best friend. It had been difficult the last few days. So many times, he’d wanted to call up his best friend and tell her about the awful thing his wife had done. He had only his lawyer and Greg as confidants now, and he really didn’t feel like talking about it with Greg. “Um, maybe later in the week we can get together, okay?” he said.
    â€œSure.” His friend nodded. “Whenever you’re up for it.” Greg climbed off the desk, but he hesitated at the door and looked back at him. “One thing though, if you don’t mind my asking. What about—the baby?”
    â€œI’m taking him,” Carl said. “Eve didn’t want the baby.”
    Greg let out a little laugh. “That’s unusual. She’s going to have it, and you’ll be—”
    Carl nodded. “It’s all settled. I’m taking him.”
    â€œ Him , huh? What makes you so sure it’ll be a boy?”
    â€œI just know.” Carl smiled.
    His friend gave him a puzzled look. Then the telephone rang next door, and Greg hurried back to his office to answer it.
    Carl turned in his swivel chair. He slid open the bottom drawer to his desk and took out the package. Setting it on his lap so no one could see, he carefully pulled out his lunch hour purchase and admired it once again. It was a little mobile, with wooden giraffes, tigers, and monkeys.
    That night, after work, Carl once again started driving toward the old neighborhood. He could have turned back, but didn’t. Instead, he drove to the town house, and parked across the street. No one came outside or arrived during the two hours he just sat in his car and watched. But he remained there, until the last light went off inside the McMurrays’ house.

CHAPTER TWO
    Mrs. Gunther and the poodle met him in the lobby of his building. “Oh, Carl, there’s something I need to ask