we reached the driver’s side door. “Have you had a chance to look into him?”
“No, I only had a chance to pull Thad’s accident before I had to leave. I’ll look into Butcher’s arrest reports later this afternoon. Stick to Pam’s friends and family for now.”
“So you don’t want to pick another old case to look at?” I asked. “We never settled on one this morning.”
“No,” he said with a worried look. “If people know you’re asking about multiple cases, they might put together what you’re doin’.”
So basically we were hamstrung, and I’d only made the situation worse by showing up at the jail and asking for Pam Crimshaw’s daughter. I never should have gone in.
“Do you still want to spend the night at my place?” he said. “We can go over the reports together. Then we can figure out what to do next.”
I ran a hand over my head. “Yeah, okay. But I’ll have to get up early and head over to Hank’s for breakfast.” I tilted my head to the side. “Wyatt says he’s cooking.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “Maybe you can show up a few minutes late.”
I laughed. “I wondered when your testosterone would kick in.”
“I’m trying my best, but I’m not a saint.”
I turned serious. “I guess we’re not mentioning the way you were touching me at the jail.”
Worry filled his eyes. “That was for show. To let them know you’re important to me.”
“I figured.”
We continued to look at each other, waiting for the other to say something, but silence hung in the air.
“Be careful, Carly,” he finally said, his eyes pleading. “If you feel threatened at all, get the hell out of whatever situation you’re in and call me. I’ll get to you as fast as I can.”
“I will.” I gave him a soft smile. “You be careful too. I’ll see you at the tavern?”
“I hope so.” He grimaced. “I’ve got a mountain of paperwork to get through, but I’ll stop by if I finish early enough. Otherwise, I’ll meet you at the house.”
“I know you saw Max last night, but I’m sure he’d like to see you anyway.”
“Yeah, I’ve missed hanging out there.” He reached for the handle and opened the door.
I got inside and he shut the door behind me, giving me a small wave.
I waved back, feeling a pinch of something inside of me.
We pulled out of the lot in the same direction, heading back toward town, but he took a turn toward the sheriff’s station and I headed to Walgreens.
I didn’t think Ashlynn worked at Walgreens. For one thing, she’d called her place of employment a drugstore and most people of the people who’d refer to a chain pharmacy by such an archaic term resided in Greener Pastures. But Marco was right about the go bag, and while I suspected he was also right about getting most of the items in Greeneville, I could easily explain getting personal hygiene products to put in it.
Grabbing a basket once I got inside, I headed for the shampoo aisle, grabbing my usual shampoo and conditioner, but I also picked up a box of dark brown hair dye. I preferred my hair long, and had let it grow out past my shoulders, but if I had to run again, I knew I’d have to drastically change it again. Which meant I’d have to go shorter than the shoulder-length bob I’d gotten last October. Much shorter. That or a wig. Sadly, I wasn’t sure my vanity could handle something shorter than my chin.
I also picked up some ibuprofen and Tylenol, bandages, antibiotic ointment, a few skin care products I used, as well as some feminine hygiene items. Then, because I decided to be optimistic, I grabbed a puzzle I hadn’t seen before and two bags of butterscotch candies for the ladies at the nursing home.
When I checked out at the counter, I gave the female cashier a big smile. “Is Ashlynn working today?”
She blinked in surprise. “Ashlynn? Ain’t nobody who works here named Ashlynn.”
I shook my head and laughed. “My grandmother must have gotten confused. She told me that her friend’s daughter works at the drugstore. She thought it was Walgreens, but I guess there must be a few pharmacies in town.”
“I’ve got a granny like that,” the woman said as she scanned the items. “She gets everything turned around. She probably works at Jones’ Pharmacy about a half mile down on Pine Street. Either that or the urgent care pharmacy.”
“Thanks.”
She picked up the