Susanne slowed and pointed to a still-standing section of the medieval city wall that ran parallel to the sidewalk. The entrance to a small parking garage had been built into the wall just a few steps down the street from the store. “Down there.”

“How did you manage to get a parking spot there? It’s a private garage, isn’t it?”

A quick smile lit up Susanne’s gray eyes. “Let’s just say I have my ways.”

They ducked into the parking garage, and Susanne pressed the fob on her key. The blinkers of a car to their left flashed, revealing a sporty black BMW.

Susanne shook out the umbrella and tossed it into the back of the car before getting in. “Where to?” she asked when Anja climbed into the passenger seat.

Anja settled her messenger bag and the bicycle helmet onto her lap, careful not to get too many raindrops on the gleaming leather seat. This car looked as immaculate as its owner, as if she’d only bought it this morning. Anja had never sat in a BMW, and she had to admit it was kind of nice. “Betzenhausen.”

“I have no idea where that is. I haven’t had a chance to get to know the city.”

Did she even want to? Anja wasn’t sure. “It’s on the western edge of the city. Just head toward the Schwabentor, and I’ll give you directions from there.”

Susanne started the engine, and a soft pop ballad drifted through the loudspeakers.

Ooh, the new Jenna Blake album! Anja gave an appreciative nod. Apparently, they did have one thing in common after all.

Susanne steered them competently through the rain-slick streets, sticking to the speed limit.

Neither said much, other than Anja giving directions. The only sounds in the car were the low music and the fast, monotonous back-and-forth of the windshield wipers across the glass.

Ten minutes later, Susanne maneuvered around the ninety-degree left turn onto the quiet street where Anja lived.

“It’s the second gray-and-white building on the left.” Anja pointed through the rain-smeared windshield.

Susanne leaned forward and squinted.

The rain pelted down in buckets now. Even though the wipers were set to the highest speed, they couldn’t keep up to clear the view.

“Just pull into the parking spot next to the building. It’s mine, but I don’t use it.”

Susanne parked the car and turned off the engine.

For a moment, they sat without moving, the darkness and the heavy rain cutting them off from the rest of the world. Even the three meters to the apartment building seemed like a long distance.

“Thanks so much for driving me. I really appreciate it. Do you know how to get home from here?”

“Not a clue. But I’ve got GPS.” Susanne patted the dashboard.

“Oh. Of course. Until Monday, then.”

Susanne cocked her head. “You’re not working tomorrow?”