Descent

Hey, do you mind if I pick up this guy? The cab driver asked.

Yeah, sure, I said.

I checked my watch. I had thirty minutes to get to work, but we were only a few blocks from the building.

We stopped at a corner. A man in a black suit with a red tie got in the cab. He had nothing but a cell phone in his hands.

Where to?

Fifth and Ninth.

He wanted to go all the way to the other side of the city. At least I would get dropped off first. But the traffic slowed to a stop.

There's an accident ahead, the man said.

I checked my watch again. I didn't like chit chat with strangers. I adjusted my tie. It was hot and stuffy in the cab. And here was another warm body to make things even more uncomfortable.

I hope everyone's okay, I said.

I'm sure it'll be fine, he said. I know one of the people who got in the accident. He's texting me.

So no one's hurt?

Nope, the stranger said.

He shifted in his seat, his shoes scraping against mine. I glanced at him, but he seemed not to notice anything was wrong. I rolled my eyes and scooted away from him.

I checked my watch again. I wanted to be out of there, even if it meant going to work. I looked out the window, trying to see if the traffic ahead moved at all. I jumped as I heard a gun shot. The stranger's phone vibrated as he got another text. He seemed oddly unconcerned by the noise.

Hey, I'll get out here, he said. He handed the driver a twenty. I don't need change.

He got out of the cab, and smoothed his suit. He walked down the street in the direction from which the gun shot sounded.

I checked my watch again. Twenty minutes left, and we'd only moved half a block. The more I sat there, the more anxious I became. It would be faster to walk.

I gathered my briefcase and laptop bag, and noticed the stranger's cell phone on the seat. I grabbed it. I figured I could call one of his friends and let them know I found his phone.

I tucked the phone in my blazer jacket, and as the cab lurched forward another foot, I pulled money from my pocket.

I'll get out here, it's fine, I said, and handed him the money.

I hopped out and raced to my office.

The day passed by uneventfully. After lunch, my pocket vibrated. I pulled out my phone, but the vibration kept going. I had no messages.

I remembered the stranger's phone. I pulled out the black phone, and saw that he had one text message.

Should I read it? I didn't want to pry into someone else's business. But, I had to let his friend know