Concerning the Asian

  “It was. . . . Unfortunate about Russell,” he said, head vanished within a cabinet.
  Taylor silently helped himself to a kitchen chair. He brought it up, let him finish it.
  “I hope I conveyed my sympathies at the funeral.”
  Taylor was mute. He had no recollection of the scene, but didn’t let it bother him.
  “I also hope my advice was considered?” He shut the cabinet with a scowl, and after a pause went to another.
  “Which was that?” Taylor asked, unable to play along anymore.
  The kid found whatever he was looking for with a crow of moderate accomplishment. “This should be what you need. We’ll send someone after your material; no doubt it has changed many hands by now.”
  He began to pour a glass of water while Taylor examined his parcel.