AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Flora’s nostrils flared. She eyed D.D. mutinously, but at least there was some fire in her eyes.
“I don’t get it,” Keith said.
D.D. kept her attention on Flora. “What did you do when you were held captive? What did you experience? Think, Flora. Nine months ago when you did the memory exercise, what did you use as triggers?”
The woman suddenly blinked. She straightened, engaged for the first time all morning. “I ate,” she said softly. “Jacob, when he returned, always brought food. Lots of takeout. Ribs, wings, burgers, pizza. The greasier the better.”
D.D. nodded approvingly. “I’ll be the first to say, this assignment pains me, if only because I wish I could do it myself. But we all have our crosses to bear. So I’ll be a good doobie and tackle the mayor, while you and Keith identify all the local restaurants that have been in business for the past ten years and then... eat. Order every item on the menu if you have to. You want to keep dining around until you find something that, I don’t know, tastes like a match.”
Flora stared at her.
“It’s not enough to search for establishments that have been open ten years,” Keith spoke up briskly. “We need ones where the head cook has remained the same, as well, as chefs influence the style of food prepared.”
“Sure.”
“I can Google a list of restaurants for Niche plus surrounding towns, then prepare a spreadsheet listing length of operation, hiring date of head chef, opening date for owner/operator.”
“Great.”
“I’m not sure my palate is that refined,” Flora interjected. “Or my memory that good.”
“You’re not trying to identify the secret ingredient in the special sauce, Flora. You’re just searching for a sense of déjà vu.”
Flora nodded slowly. Her flat affect was gone. Now she appeared... younger, nervous. Scared that she would discover a dish that reminded her of Jacob? Or more terrified she wouldn’t, and the man, what he did to her, what he might have done to others, would forever remain a mystery to her?
Coming to Georgia had been a brave move on Flora’s part. D.D. respected it. She even felt for the woman. But she kept her expression firm and her expectations clear. Coddling had never worked when it came to Flora. An impossible challenge, on the other hand...
“All right,” Flora said abruptly. “We’ll do it. Dine our way through town. How hard can it be?”
Keith squeezed her shoulder, which was answer enough.
Behind them, the door opened, the sheriff appearing in his fresh shirt.
“Touch base end of day,” D.D. instructed. She made a shooing gesture with her hands. Flora and Keith belatedly turned and headed down the hall.
“Where are they off to?” the sheriff asked.
“Two crazy kids in love? Who knows?”
