I hurried to the employee bathroom in the back office space. I beelined to the sink, catching a glance in the old mirror above it. The faucet took a moment before cold water rushed out of it. I splashed it onto my face, the cold chasing away the heat overwhelming me.

Deep breaths, in and out.

That had been far too close. Everything I’d worked for the past three years almost came to an end, and then I would’ve been back where I started three years ago when I lost everything.

I push strands of hair out of my face and grabbed a paper towel, blotting my face dry and hoping no one would notice the beads of water left clinging to my curls.

I shut the faucet off and took a step back to look in the mirror once more.

Inhaling in and out, I got my heart to steady.

I didn’t care if Agent Beck refused to warm up to me or allow me to help. This was my research, and I would see it through until Briarport had the justice it deserved.

5. Stone

5

STONE

I sat in the cafe for approximately sixty five minutes before I spotted her dark curls swaying as she crossed the street, a small blue bag slung over her shoulder that couldn’t have held more than a wallet and keys.

Her work must’ve truly all been on her home laptop if she was leaving with so little.

The aroma of the brewing coffee was soothing to me and allowed me to clear my mind.

Surely, I was finally losing all my sense, allowing Lenore to help any further with this case.

I didn’t want her to help, but I didn’t see many other options. There was no way I would be able to request a warrant to seize her laptop, and she wasn’t handing it over willingly.

Stubborn.

And clever.

I had to hand it to her, I knew when I was being played. She knew I needed her and her resources, and I could tell she was already piecing together the little support I had from the FBI.

Better to keep her close.

I took a sip of the cold brew I’d been nursing as she entered the café. Her deep brown eyes immediately found mine and stalked across to where I sat.

“Coming?” she asked impatiently.

I stood, gathering my leather bag and drink. “How far do you live from here?”

I’d worn my old tennis sneakers, but I wasn’t prepared to walk much further than a few blocks. I hadn’t been expecting needing to walk anywhere. It was becoming a poor habit, letting the unexpected creep up on me.

I was losing my touch.