Oh, no, not at all. If anything, he was understanding and apologetic. Its one of the reasons Ive never filed a complaint or anything. She frowned and gave a sad little shrug. I think he has a problem, you know?

I dont suppose you happen to know his bar of choice, do you? Jack asked.

I do, actually. Its another thing he randomly mentioned during his ramblings. He said hes putting the kids of the guys that owns Spillmans through college with his bar tab.

Spillmans, Rachel said. Thats a local bar?

It is. Is Mr. Quinn…I mean, is he okay? He in some sort of trouble?

Neither Rachel nor Jack responded. Rachel only nodded and gave the little girl a smile. Thanks for your time, she said.

They headed back for the car and sat there for a while. Rachel sipped at the powerful coffee shed taken from the station and tried to think of next steps. It might be easy enough to figure out where Quinn was working these days, but that was going to be wasted time. And she was becoming all too aware of the fact that time was a very precious commodity.

I think we call Stanhope, he said. See if we can figure out where Quinn might be working now. In the meantime, I think a visit to this Spillmans place is smart. Maybe get a feel for where and how hes been spending his time.

I know youre not much of a drinker, Rachel, but most bars arent really open at eight in the morning.

But dont some open for lunch? Maybe well get lucky and find someone working there thats prepping for lunch.

I say its doubtful, but I agree that its better than sitting at the station and leafing through files and reports, hoping to find something of use.

So you pull up the directions to Spillmans, and Ill call Stanhope.

Jack nodded without much enthusiasm. Even Rachel understood it wasnt much of a plan, as neither option was likely to offer any real results. But to be so early in the morning, it did feel encouraging to have some sort of strategy in place, no matter how desperate it seemed.

***

Spillmans was conveniently located just two and a half miles away from Quinns address. It was a very subtle sort of building, the kind you might miss unless you were specifically looking for it. It was a small building located between an old barbershop that looked to have been closed down, and an empty lot with a For Lease sign on the corner. Even as she parked in front of it, Rachel could tell it wasnt open. Still, theyd come out here so she figured they may as well knock on the door to see if the owner or proprietor was inside.