Or even local FBI. Anyway, I’m just watching out for you. Don’t fall head over heels for a guy bound to take off.”
“I’m not head over heels. It’s nothing like that.”
“Then why so much time?”
“Why not?”
“Do you know something about his investigation?”
“No,” she said, and smiled, lying with, “His friend has a horse I’m in love with and an animal that needs some work.”
“Ah,” Jordan said, his dark gaze searching her face.
She smiled.
“Well, anyway, thank you for helping Sara.”
“You two hot and heavy?”
He laughed. “Trying, at any rate. Okay, kid, see you later,” he told her.
“See you later. And thanks.”
“You are the best animal trainer I know,” Jordan said, sliding his fingers over his dark hair and grinning. “Wait, you’re the only animal trainer. No, teasing, kid. You’re the best.”
“I hear you’re pretty good at what you do, too,” she said.
“The best! Well, almost. Getting there,” he assured her. He grinned. Then they both realized Sara was watching them—her expression a little worried and confused.
“Whoops, I’m out of here!” he said.
Raina watched as Jordan hurried to the woman, gave her a kiss on the cheek and then opened the car door for her.
She waved.
Jordan looked at her for a moment, then lifted his hand in a wave.
They left.
And it was only when they were gone that Raina realized she had never touched him.
And she should have.
The whole thing might be futile, but she’d never really know unless she tried.
The clock was edging past noon.
She wished Axel would arrive soon.
“Titan, this has turned me into a mess!” she told the dog, sighing and plopping down on her couch.
Where Jordan had been sitting.
She didn’t feel the same rush of fear; she didn’t feel as if she could see and touch a knife or death.
But something was wrong. It was a strange cloud of darkness.
She cried out loud, frustrated.
Just what the hell did it mean?
* * *
The owner of the coffee shop was in. His name was Tomaso Gregorio. He was a big, cheerful, white-haired man in a white cap and apron. He was working behind the counter that day with two girls. Saturday mornings were apparently hopping.
He took one look at Axel and accepted an order for two cups of black coffee without suggesting anything else, even as Axel quietly explained who they were and why they were there.
He called to the girls, telling them he needed to step out for a moment.
Before he did, Nigel slipped in to order a ham, egg and cheese croissant, as well.
Gregorio got the orders himself and then suggested they sit at a table near the front window.
They could see the dress shop from there.
“I will do anything I can to help you. I saw the sketch on the news, and it could have only been Jennifer. She was lovely.” He cast his head at an odd angle. “Well, the news never confirmed it was Jennifer Lowry, but I knew. Always tipped my help and had a kind word to say. Never complained. Always complimented people. She was like they say, a ray of sunshine. What happened to her is beyond despicable. If I knew who did it...”
“We’re incredibly grateful for your assistance,” Axel told him.
“And we think you might be able to help us,” Nigel added.
Gregorio looked at them both, waiting.
“According to her coworker, she met a man here, one she was going to go on a date with. Now this poor guy may know nothing, but we’d like to find out who he is,” Nigel said.
Gregorio frowned. “I don’t know anything about her meeting anyone here. I mean, she often talked to other customers. She’d get out of line if she knew someone was distressed and needed to place an order quickly. She loved kids. Always had a friendly word or two to say. You know, we’ve gotten rude and kind of cruel in this world. Jennifer was something wonderful against that. Gave you hope for humanity, you know?” He paused, thinking. Finally he shook his head. “I didn’t see her with anyone in particular. Maybe one of the girls did.”
He looked back at the counter. One employee was at the cash register taking orders. The other was running behind the counter, grabbing a plate from the microwave with one hand while managing the espresso machine with the other.
“It’s not a good time,” Nigel suggested.
“Yeah, well, there’s no right time for a murder,” Gregorio said.
“Do you have any video surveillance in the shop?” Axel asked.
“I’m sorry, we don’t,” Gregorio said. “I had a camera