24- Third reason

Same date. September 10, 2016.

No change in the world.

We are each sitting on a different couch. It feels like a strange movie that I hate watching, because strategically, we could look like the three vertices of an equilateral triangle. Because of our positions, we are able to look at each other's faces calmly. Seriously.

The advantage of this is that I can see how Theo's gestures invite me to speak. And being aware that his family is traveling gives me the freedom to speak my mind and get straight to the point.

Contrary to what I usually do or think, I briefly mention to Theo what Faven said about him in the letter. It's not difficult for me to notice that as I speak, Theo's playful expression changes to a more serious and focused one. It's rare to see him like that.

"Yes, Faven left me something in… September? October? Around that time."

"Faven never told me you were friends," I mention. Theo just shrugs.

"There are many things about Faven that you don't know, Eron. That's how it is with everyone you meet in life. Don't expect to fully know anyone. That's my advice for the day."

I bite my lips, instinctively, after hearing that. I don't like that someone who was supposed to be uninvolved in this matter speaks so openly and calmly about Faven. Was Theo at his funeral?

"I mention it, in case you're wondering if I really knew Faven," he says, while walking to his library. "I met Dakota at his funeral. She gave some beautiful words in his honor, by the way."

"Thank you," I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry to say that I don't remember you."

"Don't worry. We couldn't even talk. It's natural."

Ah, but was it that everyone in the damn city went to his funeral, except me? Was it a party or a mournful moment?

"You mentioned him a lot, Eron. Naturally, I crossed paths with him thanks to Rompedor. It's not a big story."

Theo doesn't add anything else. He strictly focuses on reviewing several of his books. Books that are in the living room. And he has a younger brother. He moves aside a stack of hardcover books, and behind them is a small notebook. He takes it, puts the books back in place, walks back to the couch where we were, and hands me the book.

"I'm even surprised that you didn't know about the existence of Rompedor. Although, honestly, I still don't understand why Faven wants to show you guys this."

"He wanted," I correct, and take the notebook.

Distrust. Distrust a lot. Even though I have spent many moments with Theo, and we have known each other for years, I must follow the instructions that Faven gave me. That's why I mentioned everything briefly. If I explain our deeper motives, the plan might go down the drain.

In fact, I warned him and reminded him of Dakota. It's better to be safe than sorry. If Theo is trustworthy, time will tell. For now, he is just the owner of one of the clues that Faven left us to discover whatever it was he wanted us to discover.

I open the notebook, and I see that it is completely blank. I start to believe that this is a joke from Theo and that the real clue is somewhere else. He can easily make fun of complicated situations. I can assure you of that firsthand.

"Start flipping through it. You'll find it in one of them."

And once again, I realize that Faven planned this whole thing well. At first glance, if someone takes this notebook, they wouldn't be able to identify what it contains. It still seems like a risk to me, because someone could have taken it thinking it's a new notebook. Well… We were lucky that didn't happen with someone else.

I find the note somewhere between the middle and the end of the notebook. It's on the left side. Again, that's a strategic location if most people who have access to this are right-handed, because the first thing they'll see are the right pages. Well done.

"Five, I'm sorry that you didn't know that I am also friends with Theo. And I'm sorry that Rompedor isn't accompanying you. You wouldn't be reading this if he were.

I didn't want to talk too much about my friendships as a precaution. I've been in this business for years. Like I said, I didn't want to involve you. As for Aliado… It was necessary for you to know.

I met Theo thanks to Rompedor. They are communication partners at the university.

His name starts with T. He is male. That's all I can tell you as a precaution. Ask Aliado to think about that friend with a strange job. That's Rompedor. I told him more than once.

XOXOXO.

They mean kisses and hugs.

-Faven."

My voice remains the same tone throughout the reading. That's really progress. I take a deep breath. Faven also left little information for Theo. It means that even now, he wants to keep him away from the matter.

"Is it like a treasure hunt to find Rompedor? Faven really knew how to play very old-fashioned things, huh."

Dakota doesn't say anything. I can tell she's more eager to think than to speak. Maybe she's analyzing the point that Faven asked her. I suppose, based on what she told me the other day, that it's about the same person who works in the demolition of junk cars.

"Distrust, distrust…" I repeat aloud.

Dakota glances at me. That confirms that she understood it again. Judging by Theo's smile, he takes it as a joke.

"I don't want to ruin your game, so don't expect me to reveal the name. Good luck on your mission."

Yes, it's better that way. The less involved they are in this "plan," the better.