At the same time, they had just so many unknowns and so many factors they couldn’t do anything about, and that it was driving him crazy. Getting out was just an excuse, but it also gave him a reason to call her. It hadn’t been hard to find her. She’d been in the phone book under the architect’s name, and that’s what he planned on telling her. He pulled into town and parked on the street, loving how the lights lit up on the side. He wasn’t even sure if the coffee shop was open at this hour. As he walked toward it, he was happy to see her sitting there outside, in the same place Joe had been.
“You know what?” he said. “I didn’t consider whether this would even still be open in a small town like this.”
“They do stay open, and he is the only one around who does,” she said, with a smile.
He pointed at her coffee. “You wouldn’t even let me buy that for you.”
“I’m perfectly capable of buying my own drink,” she said, chuckling. Just then a woman in an apron came out, carrying another cup and a large plate with a few treats. She put it down on the table, smiled at Sammy, and said to him, “This gal is a live one.”
Sammy motioned and said, “This time, you see? I managed to buy you a drink.”
“That’s not fair,” he said.
“It’s the least I could do,” she said, “after you helped me with the tire.”
“I wish I could have helped you more,” he said, sitting down, tickled that she’d thought about buying him a drink and snacks. “But you already had it well in hand before I got there.”
“Well, maybe not,” she said. “Apparently I’m not the only one who got her tire slashed.”
His gaze sharpened, as he said, “Tell me more,” and pulled the coffee closer to him. “And thank you for this,” he added, lifting the cup. She smiled and nodded, then told him about Annie, her friend. “I guess people are people all around the world, aren’t they?” he said sadly.
“I’m not exactly sure what you mean by that, but yes,” she said.
He nodded. “So what is she doing about it?”
“She contacted the police today,” she said. “When I drove her home, they were already there.”
“Well, that’s good,” he said.
She nodded. “I just don’t know what the deal is. Like if it’s the ex-husband or not,” she said.
“Was there that kind of violence in their world?”
“No,” she said, “that’s what surprises me. It was so out of character for him.”
“So, if it’s out of character for him, is there anybody else in her world that it would fit?”
She studied him for a moment and said, “I don’t think so.”
“Violence is like that,” he said. “It’s often not somebody we think could do it, unless we have a history of violence with them,” he said. “And I don’t mean to be cryptic. I’m just saying that sometimes we like to forget about the people around us who might have scared us at one time, but we didn’t see enough violence to be worried about it.”
She stared at him, shrugged, and said, “As much as I know her, I’m not sure who she has been seeing these days, as far as boyfriends, or even what she does during her days.”
“So maybe that’s one of the things you need to find out,” he said, “because really? That can be everything.”
“You’re thinking that any new boyfriend could have set off the husband?”
“Yes,” he said. “Does she have any other family?”
“She has family,” she said, “but not close by. The nearest relative is several hours’ drive away, I think.”
“And whose house is it?”
“It’s a rental, but it’s the one she shared with her ex,” she said slowly.
“Maybe the ex is still hoping to get back together with her, and seeing her with a boyfriend might have set him off. It could make him realize that he’s losing her. Something like that is an easy way to pop a hair-trigger and to push him over the edge,” he said.
“It’s possible,” she said. Sammy pulled out her phone and sent a text.
He watched as she did it. “Are you contacting her?”
“I am.” She texted, just wondering if there could be anybody else in Annie’s orbit. The response came back and was instant. Sammy picked up the phone and read off the response.
No, not dating anyone since last jerk stiffed me for lunch.
“Ask her how long ago?”
She did, and the answer came back right away.
Last week.
Sammy replied with another question. Any chance somebody saw you there?
No, I don’t think so, why? Well, Jorge did.
“Shit,” she said, as she looked at Eton. “Jorge saw her.”
“And Jorge is?”
“The soon-to-be-ex,” she said.
“Well, think about that then. What if he is still in love with her, still wants her in his life, then sees her with another man?”
“So it could have been him, is what you are thinking?”
“Oh, it certainly could have been,” he said. “You have to consider it at least.”
“Yes.” She sent a message back. What if he wanted to get back together with you and saw you with another man instead?
That might do it, Annie responded.
Then Sammy’s phone rang. She looked at him and apologetically said, “Sorry, but it’s Annie calling.”
He nodded and said, “Go for it.” He looked at the plate and asked, “May I?”
She grinned and said, “Absolutely.”
He looked at the treats and fancied a rounded pastry with nuts of some kind. He picked up one and took a bite and almost moaned. It was so good. As he studied the treats in front of him, something else caught his gaze, and he looked up to see her staring at him with heat in her eyes. Instantly he felt his own body reacting, and now, with his own gaze lit up another half-dozen degrees, her eyes widened. He’d caught her looking at him and realized just what that message had meant. She shook her head and pulled back. He smiled and didn’t say anything, while she talked to Annie. Finally she hung up the phone.
“Annie is wondering if that’s what it is,” she said, “but we don’t know for sure.”
“Of course not,” he said. “None of us could know, unless the police are staking out her place or following her around.”
“True enough,” she said. “But still, at the same time, it’s odd, isn’t it? Though she reminded me that he also just got the divorce papers.”
“That would do it too. These things are often that way though,” he said, “for a time. Then eventually everybody settles down.”
She nodded, reached across, and picked up a treat from the plate. “So why are you really here?”
“I’m hunting,” he said honestly. “Hunting people, a couple in particular, responsible for murders around the globe.”
She gasped and stared at him in shock.
He said, “I’m not usually so honest about it, so please don’t pass it around.”
“I wouldn’t,” she said. “I’m not sure anybody would believe me anyway.”