He observed all this in the space of a heartbeat as the truck roared through the intersection. The driver swerved, and Adam stepped back up on the sidewalk, certain the maniac intended to jump the curb and come straight at him. At the last minute, the vehicle careened back into traffic and barreled down the street, barely slowing to make the next corner.
Gazing after the truck, Adam committed to memory what he remembered of the vehicle. There hadn’t been a license plate, he realized.
He waited for another light and crossed the street, keeping an eye on oncoming traffic.
Two near misses in less than twenty-four hours. Not a coincidence. Not by a long shot. Someone was coming for him.
Chapter Seven
Nikki looked up expectantly as Adam entered the coffee shop. She’d begun to think he wasn’t going to show. Not that it mattered to her one way or the other, she told herself. She was happy enough to just get on with the rest of her day. But there he was.
He stood inside the doorway, searching for her among the handful of patrons, and then his gaze lingered before he turned to the barista and placed an order.
From a distance he looked fine. Nikki could hardly see the bruises. He might not be the golden boy from her memory, but the older, tougher, more jaded man wasn’t without cachet. She acknowledged his appeal even as she cautioned herself to maintain a neutral perspective. She barely knew Adam Thayer, and the little she’d learned of him was hardly reassuring. She prided herself on keeping an open mind, but never at the expense of common sense.
Coffee in hand, he gave her a brief nod as he wound his way through the maze of tables and chairs.
She returned his greeting with a slight smile. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
“I’m sorry. That took a lot longer than I expected.” He sat down across from her. “Thanks for waiting.”
“Of course.” Her gaze swept over his face. “Are you sure you’re okay? That cut above your eyebrow looks pretty deep.”
“I cleaned it up with antiseptic. It should be fine.”
“Watch out for infection,” she advised. “Are you going to tell me how you really got all those cuts and bruises?”
“Yes, but that explanation will have to wait. I know you don’t have a lot of time, so I want to get this out of the way first. What can you tell me about Dr. Nance’s autopsy?”
Nikki’s guard went up. “How do you know he’s even been autopsied yet?”
“Given his standing in the community and the questions surrounding his death, I’m assuming he’d be a priority. Plus, I drove by the forensic science center earlier. I saw your vehicle in the staff parking lot.”
“That’s a thirty-minute drive one way,” she said.
“I had some time to kill.” He lifted his cup, observing her over the top. “The autopsy?”
Such intense eyes. Lila Wilkes had been right about his gaze. “I know you think you have a vested interest in this case, but you’re not the only one who feels that way,” Nikki said. “A lot of people in this town owe their lives to Dr. Nance. They’d all like to know what happened to him. I’ll tell you what I would tell any one of them. If you’re not a close relative, then you need to direct your queries to Sheriff Brannon.”
He wasn’t fazed. “Autopsy reports are a matter of public record. You and I both know I can get my hands on a copy, but that’ll take time and I’ll have to jump through a lot of annoying hoops. You could save me the trouble by just telling me what you found. Or didn’t find.”
She hesitated, then relented with a shrug. “It’ll probably end up in the paper or online anyway. The preliminary results are consistent with drowning. That’s all I’m prepared to say at this time.”
He sat back in his chair without comment.
Nikki gazed across the table at him. “You were expecting something else?”
“Not necessarily. I assume you’re still waiting on the toxicology screen?”
“That could take days or even weeks. Unless there’s reason to suspect foul play, the lab won’t prioritize.”
“Can you show me the preliminary autopsy report?”
“No, sorry. I’m afraid you’ll have to jump through those hoops for that.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. I appreciate your candor.”
Nikki hesitated. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Shoot.”
She folded her arms on the table, relaxing into the conversation. “Why is this so important to you? You say you came to town at Dr. Nance’s request, but you can’t have known him that long.”
“Long enough to consider him a friend.” He glanced out the window, squinting into the sun. “I told him I would come down here and have a look around, and that’s just what I intend to do. I don’t go back on my word because the circumstances have changed. If anything, his death makes me more determined.”
“Even if there’s nothing to find?”
“I’m not convinced of that yet.”
Nikki felt a warning prickle at the base of her spine. “You don’t think his death was an accident, do you? Why?”
“Aside from what he told me on the phone? I have my reasons.”
Nikki glanced around, lowering her voice to a near whisper. A few other patrons were scattered around the small shop. She wanted to make sure they couldn’t overhear the conversation. The last thing Belle Pointe needed was another wave of rumors. “You said he didn’t sound himself when he called. He was paranoid and distracted. Those were your words. You said you were worried about his mental state.”
“That’s right.” He leaned in, locking gazes. “I might still have thought he was a little off his rocker if someone hadn’t shot at me last night as I was leaving his cabin.”
Nikki’s mouth dropped open. “What?” She took another quick glance around the shop. “Did you see who
