“I don’t know. It looks as if someone typed your name on the envelope with an old-fashioned typewriter. That seems weird. No return address or postage, so it must’ve been hand-delivered.”
“Did you see who left it?”
“Don’t you think I would’ve mentioned that instead of telling you it didn’t have postage?”
“Oh. Duh. Sorry. Can you open the envelope and see who it’s from?”
“Sure.” There was rustling over the line. “It says ‘A gift from the bottom of my heart.’ It’s made up of cut-out letters from magazines. Like you’d see in a movie or something.”
“Are you kidding?”
“What do you think?”
“I suppose not. Can you open the package?”
“I guess. It isn’t ticking, so perhaps it’s a bad joke. Sameer, maybe?”
“It’s possible.”
“Here goes. I’m opening it.”
“Ouch, you hurt my ear drum. What are you shrieking about?” The crash that followed let Claudia know that Sofie dropped her cell phone.
A few moments later Sofie’s voice was back on the line. “It’s a heart.”
“What do you mean it’s a heart? Like a valentine heart or a necklace?”
“No. Like the type that beats in your chest.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m a biology major.”
“Are you sure it’s not an animal heart, maybe from a deer?”
“I’m almost certain.”
“Call the police. I’m with my dad. We’ll get there as fast as we can.”
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry I asked you to open that box for me. It was stupid of me.”
“You had no way of knowing what was in it.”
“Still. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’ll only be traumatized, for the rest of my life. It’s all your fault.”
“I can’t believe you’re still being a sarcastic jerk.”
“It helps me cope. Hurry home, okay?”
“Yep. I’ll be there in record time.”
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