By the time Grant paid for their purchases, the heat in Avery’s cheeks had cooled. She shoved thoughts of making love with Grant to the back of her mind, determined to focus on finding the killer, not reminiscing about lying naked with her ex-husband.
As soon as she was back in the car and had buckled her seatbelt, Avery pulled her hair up into a ponytail and wrapped it around the base in a tight bun. Then she pulled on the baseball hat, bringing the bill down low over her forehead. Once she added the sunglasses, settled onto her nose, she pulled the visor down and viewed the results in the little mirror.
“That should work to keep anyone from making the connection between you and the imposter Agent Hart,” Grant murmured.
“That’s what I’m hoping,” she said, her lips pressed into a tight line. “I’d like to be inside the bar and grill to keep a closer eye on that woman.”
“Good thing I brought a cap with my gear in the back seat.”
“I’ll get it.” Avery unbuckled her seatbelt and turned in her seat. She reached for the duffel bag, opened it and dug around until she found the cap. As she pulled it free, a photograph fell to the floorboard.
She leaned over and fished it off the floor, her heart pinching hard in her chest when she saw the image of the two of them smiling as they took a selfie standing on a boardwalk with a Ferris wheel in the background. They were smiling and happy.
“Do you remember where the photo was taken?” Grant asked softly.
She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. That’s the SkyWheel.”
“We were on our honeymoon.”
“We didn’t have time to go far, so we agreed on a weekend in Myrtle Beach.” It had been one of the happiest times of her life. They’d laughed, played and walked along the beach at sunset. And he’d kept the photograph, even after she’d filed for divorce.
She tucked the photo back into the bag.
Though he’d come to her rescue when she’d given the nurse his name and number, it didn’t mean they were getting back together. She’d been glad to see him. He’d been like a lifeline when she’d been swimming in a fog of forgotten memories.
She handed him his hat.
He pulled a pair of sunglasses out of his pocket and set them on the bridge of his nose. Then he shot a grin in her direction. “I’m feeling a little Holmes and Watson.”
Her heart lightened. The man had a way of brightening her day when she was surrounded by the worst humanity had to offer.
Grant pulled into the parking lot of TJ’s Bar and Grill.
“Her Jeep is still here,” Avery noted.
With a nod, Grant found a parking space at the far end of the lot.
The sun had sunk below the horizon, the last rays of gold and magenta fading with each passing minute.
With their ball caps pulled low over their foreheads, they got out of the car and entered the bar.
Avery spotted Melissa Bradley seated at a table to the right. The imposter sat across the table from her with her back to Avery. They leaned across the table, talking quietly, their expressions intense.
Avery wondered what lies the imposter was feeding Agent Bradley. Sadly, Avery hadn’t been at the San Antonio Field Office long enough to establish herself with her FBI colleagues. The woman pretending to be her was so close in height and facial features, she’d easily slide in as the real Agent Hart. No questions asked.
Anger burned low in Avery’s gut. But now wasn’t the time to act on that anger. The woman had a reason for being there. If it was to spy for the killer, Avery and Grant would follow her until she led them to the man responsible for the deaths of the three women.
Avery and Grant found a booth on the opposite side of the bar and grill from where Melissa Bradley and the fake Agent Hart were seated.
A waitress stopped at their table.
Grant ordered coffee and a club sandwich.
Avery wasn’t all that hungry, but she needed to eat to keep up her strength. She ordered tea and a garden salad with slices of chicken breast. While they waited for their food and drinks, they watched the other two woman talking over their meals.
“I don’t know how long I can play this charade,” Avery admitted.
“We can end it now, if you like,” Grant said.
