Nobody's Business Page 5

  He felt a poke in the side of his arm. It was Farouk, standing in front of him.

  "You should be grateful I didn't sue," Farouk said. He spoke precisely, yet without rancor, as if he were making casual conversation.

  Paul rubbed his eyes behind his glasses, displacing them. "What?"

  "You've damaged my shoulder. I had to get an MRI. I may need surgery." The woman, now standing a few feet behind Farouk, said something Paul was unable to hear.

  "He should know," Farouk said to the woman, his voice rising unpleasantly. Then he shrugged, and they walked off together. There was something curious about the way they were walking, together and yet with a space between them. It was only then that Paul noticed a small yellow dog at the end of a very long leash, stretched taut in the woman's hand, pulling her along the path.