I smiled thinly at Andie and grasped her shoulders, looking her directly in the eyes. ‘I’m sorry, Andie. I know you’re trying to look out for me but I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m just gonna go home and let you and Travis have the night to yourselves. You’ll have more fun without me.’ I dropped my arms to my side and looked around for my purse which had been stashed on a bar stool next to our table.

Andie bowed her head and rubbed her eyes, smearing her smoky eye a little, and said, ‘That’s not what I meant.’

‘Come on, Liz, don’t go. You guys are winning,’ Travis said.

I gave him a weary smile. ‘I’m sure Andie will kick your ass with or without me.’

I placed my cue stick back on the rack, grabbed my purse off the stool and threw a twenty down for the beers I’d drunk.

Before I walked toward the exit, Andie grabbed my arm. ‘Liz please don’t go. You know that’s not how I meant it.’

I placed my hand over Andie’s and squeezed. ‘I know. It’s okay, really. I’m just gonna go home and try calling Adam again. I wouldn’t be much fun now anyway.’

Andie’s face fell. ‘Liz, it’s really scares me that you’re trying to hunt down a serial killer. I don’t think you should be calling Adam anymore. Please, leave this to the FBI.’

I looked at her for a long minute and then said, ‘Sorry, Andie. I just can’t.’

She nodded and said, sounding resigned, ‘Alright, well I’ll see you back at the apartment then.’ She turned to walk back to the pool table but then spun back around and added, ‘And be careful, Liz.’

I gave her a reassuring hug and waved at Travis, turning to leave. I felt Andie’s eyes on my retreating back for a moment as I walked to the exit. Before I moved through the door, I heard Andie say, ‘Are you ready to lose worse than that time Gram killed you at Five-Card Stud, Travis Baker?’ I smiled and exited the bar.

After rushing home, I dialed Adam’s number and felt like throwing my phone at the wall when his answering machine picked up yet again. Did this guy ever answer his phone? I kept waiting and pacing the apartment, then I called him again. The Massachusetts connection to Adam was bolstering my feeling that it could be him instead of Cris. But without definitive proof, I was a ball of anxious energy.