that Zach said she was too low class for me, but it didn't seem right. I couldn't sleep that night. All I could think about was what Sophie's past contained that he thought I might pay them to leave? And why he thought she owed him money. She's not crazy. I know that. You don't spend that much time with someone without an inkling about their mental health. Sophie is smart, funny, and kind. Not crazy. I even wondered if maybe she were in witness protection."
I started to reply when my phone buzzed. I checked the screen. Solomon texted: Made a decision. I turned it facedown, ignoring it for now.
The door opened and we turned to watch a nurse walk in. She smiled at us both and reached for the chart. "If you want to take a break, you can step out," she told Austen. "I'll be here for a few minutes checking Mrs. Takahashi's vitals. Perhaps you'd like to get some coffee and a snack?"
"Thank you, yes," said Austen, rising. I followed his cue and we stepped outside into the busy corridor. An orderly passed us, pushing a trolley and whistling a tune. Two older women walked past, bouquets of flowers in their arms, and I could hear laughter somewhere. "I'm not sure what else I can tell you," he added.
"I think that's enough for now. When you can, please email me all of Sophie's personal information. Things like her birthdate, phone number, social security number, resume, and anything else about her you can think of."
"I can do that. What will you do next?" Austen inquired. "You are taking the case?"
"Yes, I am. I'll confirm that Sophie is whom she says she is, which shouldn't take too long, and then I want to take another trip to the house and speak to the construction crew and any other people she knew. Perhaps this was a terrible accident and someone who is scared of losing their job was involved. I don't think we should jump to any conclusions, not just yet. Give me a few days to look deeper into things and please call me if you need any help or want someone to sit with her while you go home to rest. I know this is a difficult time."
Austen thanked me and I left before Sophie's nurse reappeared. As I walked out of the hospital, I called Solomon. "I made a decision," I told him. "I'm going to take the Takahashi case."
"I meant I made a decision about the bank. We're taking that case. I'm going to need your help since you are the only person at the agency who witnessed the real-time events."
"Okay," I agreed. "I can do that but I'm not sure what else I can tell you."
"Perhaps something might spark a memory for you. You might not realize everything you do know yet," said Solomon.
"Apparently, we know nothing about the bank," I retorted. "If Charlie Sampson can be believed."
"All the more reason why I need you on the team. Can your case take a backseat for a few days?"
"Not really. The Takahashis really need my help."
"Austen Takahashi?"
"Yeah, that's him. Do you know him?"
"No, but I recognize his name. Built his firm from the ground up, made a lot of money, and knows plenty of powerful people. Does lots of philanthropy work alongside it all. He relocated to Montgomery and created countless jobs."
"You sound pretty impressed."
"I am. Tell me about it over lunch?"
"On my way."
Chapter Seven
Solomon was already seated at a table next to the window when I arrived. He was sipping from a plain mug. I leaned in to kiss him and give him a quick hug before I took the seat opposite. "Did you order already?" I asked.
Solomon shook his head. "Just coffee. I thought I'd wait for you."
"You just want to know what I'm going to order."
"I might want to eat yours too. I'm hungry."
"Busy day?"
"A day without enough snacks."
"Rough." I nodded sympathetically as I picked up the menu, browsing it and mentally choosing seven plates. If I came back every day for a week, I could eat them all. If Solomon picked one, and I ate half of it and picked a different one, I could reduce the amount of visits to five. Not for the first time in my life, I realized math really was quite useful in the real world.
When the waitress arrived, Solomon ordered a burger and fries and I ordered the same plus a coffee, as I redid my