“Aren’t you going into work? It’s after eleven.” Paul set aside his worries about giving Pia the Temazepam, as apparently there were no repercussions, and now he was curious if she’d found out anything about Nano. But he was following her lead, and not asking any questions over the phone.

“I’m going in later,” said Pia. “I’m a bit worse for wear. Alcohol and I are like oil and water.”

“Well, let me tell you my plans. I’m going home and jump into some hiking gear and get out on a trail somewhere. Why don’t you join me? We can chat then. I’d certainly like to hear more about your evening.” Paul wanted to know if Pia really was okay.

“I suppose that’s a possibility. I would like to talk with you. Tell me more about this hike. I’m not up to a real challenge.”

“It will be nice, trust me, nothing too strenuous. I had a hard night in the ER. More than the usual couple of drunken college kids, I’m sorry to say. Like, we had a nasty car accident that I’d rather not think about. C’mon, Pia, come with me and get some fresh mountain air. I promise, you’ll feel a lot better. It works for me every time.”

In truth, the last thing Pia felt like doing was going on a hike, but if that was the price she had to pay to bend Paul’s ear, so be it. She felt she needed someone else’s counsel, even if only to hear herself talk. “Okay, Paul, I’ll come. Just tell me where I have to be.”

•   •   •

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER Pia was standing at a trail head with Paul, dressed in her running gear and a light rain jacket. Paul had on a stylish hiking outfit and professional-looking boots, and he looked good, as if he could hike all day despite having been up all night. Pia felt underdressed, and also unready physically for hard exercise. But Paul assured her that he planned just a two-hour round-trip jaunt up through the pine trees on this popular circuit.

“This time of day it shouldn’t be too crowded up here,” Paul said, immediately setting a brisk marching pace that challenged Pia to keep up with him. Paul breathed in deeply and exhaled. They were walking on a bed of fragrant pine needles. “This is what I live in Colorado for. The air is fantastic, don’t you think?”