What Janie Saw(115)
“I hope you never do,” Rafe said. “At least, while you’re undercover.”
“What do we do next?” Justin said.
“We need to act as if we’re taking Amanda’s art book seriously. Let’s put out a public bulletin that says we’re searching for the type of vehicle she supposedly drew and the type of people she drew. We’ll also put out feelers for the first two numbers on that license plate.”
“Giving our real perp a sense of security,” Nathan said.
“A false sense of security,” Rafe agreed.
Anything to keep Janie safe.
* * *
SUNDAY WAS A quiet day at the zoo. Janie sat behind the counter of the gift shop and rang up sales. Katie wouldn’t let her do anything else. “You’ve already hurt your arm—your painting arm. We need to make sure it’s healed when you win the visiting-artist slot in South Africa.”
This was the first time Katie’d spoken of the opportunity as if she were all for it. For the last year, ever since Janie’d started planning for it, all Katie could say was, “Africa’s so far away. You’re young.”
Rafe showed up just after five, about an hour before the zoo closed. He pitched in, straightening up the gift shop and even helping customers. But Janie could sense he was distracted. She felt the same way. Tommy Skinley had scared her this morning. She finally understood why Rafe was so opposed to her returning to teaching, but really, this morning’s attack had been at church!
When the last visitor left and the computer receipts were tallied and saved, Rafe held the door open for Janie.
“You want to go to the diner and get something to eat?”
“No, I don’t want to answer all the questions people will have.”
He nodded. “I can go get something and bring it back. I’ll get enough for Katie and—”
“They’re going out tonight. It can just be us. I’ll cook.”
Instead, they both cooked. Janie made the noodles and sauce; Rafe assembled the meatballs and garlic bread. In the kitchen, they worked like a well-oiled machine. Even the few times they bumped into each other only garnered smiles.
“You going to tell me what’s new in the case?” Janie asked.
“Amanda’s pregnant.”
“What!”
“And the baby most likely belongs to Derek. The green shoe you found is hers.”
“I think I should sit down.”
Rafe took over setting the table and getting their drinks. He continued, “We’ve got a last name for Chad, but unfortunately he was discharged from the military and has disappeared. We’re not even sure what alias he’s using.”
“Wow and double wow. You keep talking, and I’m going to need to lie down.”
“The drawing you and Amanda came up with seems to be Chad. We’ll confirm as soon as we find him.”
“And why did he kill Brittney?”