view was quickly becoming a habit for me, and I knew I’d miss it once we were back in Parson’s Valley.
“Wow, this is really nice.”
“Hey, nothing but the best for my wife,” Zach said.
“Especially when we’re not footing the bill. I hate to admit it, but I feel a little guilty about all of this.”
As we started to eat, Zach shrugged. “I never could have accepted any of this if I was still on the force, but as a consultant, I don’t have any problem with it.”
That surprised me. “You honestly don’t mind?”
“Savannah, this man lost someone he cared about. It’s helping him knowing that he’s making my life easier so I can focus on finding the killer. If it’s a good thing for him, and it doesn’t cost me anything, why shouldn’t I accept his generous offer?”
“It sounds good to me. Do you have any new leads for today?”
“I’ve got a couple of angles I want to check out,” he said.
“Go on, I’m listening.”
“You know I can’t talk about my thought process,” he said.
“I was just wondering if that changed, too.”
“Not a chance.”
I smiled at him. “Just checking.”
He took a bite of toast, and then said, “Davis wants a progress report first thing this morning, but I don’t know what I’m going to tell him. Maybe I need to pop in on Grady after all and see if I can catch him off guard. I don’t know; I’m not sure what I’m going to do just yet.”
I pushed my plate away, too full to finish the omelet my husband had ordered for me. “That was great. Are you ready to go?”
“Are you rushing me?”
“No, stay as long as you like, but I need to get on the road.”
He pushed away from his plate. “Hang on a second, I’m almost ready.”
As we left the suite and rode down in the elevator, I said, “I still can’t believe we’re here.”
“In the Belmont?”
“Sure, but mostly just being back in Charlotte. I wasn’t sure that it was that great of an idea coming back, but as much as I’m enjoying it, I can’t wait to get home.”
“I know just what you mean.”
When we got to the lobby, there was a uniformed officer standing beside a large plant. He was trying his best to look inconspicuous in his uniform, but he was failing epically.
“Where’s Steve?” I asked Zach. “I thought he was your ride.”
“He’s taking a personal day,” my husband explained.
“I could always drop you off at the station on my way out of town.”
“It’s out of your way, and you know it. This will be fine.” He gave me a quick peck, and then added, “Have a safe drive, and don’t forget to call me when you get there.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tonight.”
After my husband was gone, I headed for the parking garage and collected our car. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard when I got in and saw that if I didn’t hit too much traffic, I should be at Uncle Thomas’s a little after nine. I was excited to see him, but I also had a sense of dread about what he was about to tell me.
There was only one way to find out, though.
Chapter 11
AS SOON AS I GOT A LITTLE WAYS UP 1-77 AND OUT OF THE main part of town, I dialed Lorna’s number.
“Hey, there. You just caught me. I was getting ready to leave the house,” she said.
“I’m glad I called, then. Something’s come up, so I’m going to have to cancel on you this morning.”
“Really? I could make it later, if that would be more convenient for you.” The disappointment was clear in her voice. “I’ve really missed chatting with you, Savannah.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” I said, “but I’m on my way to Hickory, and I’m not sure when I’m going to be back.”
“What on earth are you going to do up there?”
“I’m visiting family,” I said.
“I know what that’s like,” she said. “Could we do it tomorrow?”
“I don’t see why not, if nothing else comes up.”
“Wow, I feel so special,” she said with a laugh.
