Avery took her coffee, sat in the corner by the window, and ate a blueberry muffin. How many harried mornings had she wished she could do just this? Sit, relax, savor instead of rushing to fill the morning orders.

The café staff, like her, often grew annoyed when a customer hogged a prime table and stayed way past their expiration time, which for them was about thirty minutes. Eat, drink, move on.

“Avery?”

She looked up to find Detective Leo Santiago approaching with a cup of coffee in hand. “Let me guess, a triple espresso.”

“You know me well.” He nodded to the seat opposite hers. “Mind if I sit? I have a few minutes before my shift starts.”

“Please, have a seat.”

He pulled out the chair, smoothing his dark tie flat as he sat. He was clean cut, detail oriented, and disciplined. “What brings you here?” he asked.

“Killing time. Jordan has a meeting, and I’m waiting on her.” She was not sure how much the Austin Police Department knew about Jordan’s continued involvement in the current murder cases.

“How’s she doing?” he asked.

“Getting along.”

He set his cup down, looking at her with an intensity that made her uneasy. Cops were not supposed to have X-ray vision.

“Santiago,” she said.

“How did you know it was me?”

“Neighbor described a guy who looked like Chris Evans.”

He shook his head, grinning. “Hardly.”

“It’s appreciated,” she said. “Life’s been hectic.”

“If there’s anything else I can do, just say it. All the guys and gals in the department want to lend a hand, but Jordan’s not the kind who asks for help.”

“She’s softening. She’ll need help to figure the rest of her life out.”

His jaw muscle clenched. “The Rangers have the Mummy case. Spencer is one of their best.”

“Good to know. Have you heard anything about the case’s progress?” She dabbed a blueberry muffin crumb from her plate, doing her best to look like someone who knew less than they let on.

“The forensic department is still combing over all the materials found with the bodies. They’ve pulled hair and cloth fibers, so both might give up DNA. And there were a few partial fingerprints. Lots of pieces but no full picture yet.”

Memories of a man with a hoarse, low voice swirled in her mind. Had Walker given her to the man who shoved plastic in her mouth? Had this faceless man been developing his obsessions? If the answers were buried in her memory, they remained out of reach.

Avery had listened so many times when Jordan expressed her frustration over an investigation. Jordan wanted justice for the victims and their families, but it rarely came as fast as anyone wanted it. Now on the other side of the equation, Avery experienced the same irritation.

“What cases are you working now?” Though she was only mildly curious, she liked having the company.