“You hear they’re lookin’ for a murder suspect?”
I glance at the elderly man in the rearview, his expression concerned, as he drops the volume on the radio down to a low hum.
“Around here?”
“Yep.” He nods. “Grocery store parking lot, back where I picked you up. Cameras caught the attack. Suspect snatched the girl yesterday.”
“They already know she was murdered?” Chills creep up the back of my neck, and I shiver, rubbing my arms. I can’t help but think of the pick-up truck, with the foil over the windows. I’m sure I’m just being paranoid, but the thought still comes to my mind. The first time I’d seen it was in that very parking lot. It’d been parked right next to my car.
“Yes, ma’am. Found a body in the desert, a few miles from where he took her. So be on the lookout for anything suspicious,” he warns. “The suspect had his face covered, and they don’t have many leads.”
“What about the getaway vehicle?”
“They’re not even sure there was one. Turns out a camera was broken.”
I shake my head, covering my mouth. I know these things happen, but this is just too close to home. “How old was she? Did they say?”
“Judging by the pictures, I’d have to guess around your age—maybe a little younger. Late teens probably.”
“I hope they find him.”
“You and me both. They haven’t identified the body, but they’re assuming…” He trails off, gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turn white.
“Assuming it’s most likely her,” I say, finishing his sentence, thinking of the horror she must have endured during her final hours. I send up a silent prayer for her. “Thank you for telling me. As you can see, I’m a little behind on current events.”
“That’ll change when you’re old and wrinkled like me.”
We pull in front of the restaurant, where a number of people stand in front of the double doors—probably waiting for their tables. I guess Gia was right. “Hope I didn’t ruin your night.”
“Are you kidding me? Not at all. You may have saved my life.” I pay the fee and add a generous tip. “I’ll be sure to lock all my windows and doors.”
“Atta girl!” he grins. “Now you be careful, miss.”
“Will do!” I wave, then make my way toward the entrance, stepping inside the crowded restaurant.
The dimly lit bar is off to the right. I don’t see anyone in my party yet, but that’s expected. The restaurant is huge, and people are everywhere. When I stride toward the back, what looks like a bachelorette party is standing around the bar, blocking my view of more tables. “Excuse me,” I tell them politely.
“Where have you been, woman? We’ve been here over an hour!” a male voice yells from behind me. I glance over my shoulder, finding Logan and Gia hand in hand, their faces flushed. “Glad you made it. We were just getting ready to leave.”
“Leave her alone,” Gia scolds. “He’s teasing. Is everything okay? You look stressed.”
“I’ll let you know, once I have my wine. Why aren’t you two at a table? Where’s Sean?”
“Simmer down, woman. We’ll take you to him,” Logan answers, pulling Gia behind him, squeezing through the group of women, toward the high-top tables in the back. I expect to find Sean alone, but it’s the person seated across from him who captures my attention. He’s got his hat pulled down real low, and he’s glaring at Sean like he wants to rip him apart.
Oh my God. Sean is going to kill me.
I pinch the back of Logan’s shirt, jerking him back. “What the hell is he doing here?” I hiss, nearly stumbling over.
He straightens his shoulders. “You got a problem? I invited him last minute,” he says, clearly offended I dared to ask.
“A little warning would’ve been nice!”
He can invite whomever he wants, but I would’ve liked to have been prepared for this.
I glance over at Gia, who’s conveniently avoiding my eyes. We’ll definitely be
having a talk after this. Why hadn’t she told me?
“Look who decided to show up.” Logan gives Luke a high-five then sits down beside him.
When Luke peers up at me, my insides come alive in a way that should not be happening. I acknowledge him with a polite nod then take the seat next to Sean, as if this setting is normal for us.
“Sorry I’m late,” I manage to say evenly. “Anyone else starving?” I grab a menu with shaky hands and hide behind it, giving Sean a quick peck. It feels wrong for Luke to have to see it.