Page 24 of D for Dead

Before Amy could say anything else, he had hung up. She glanced over at the counter assistant who was eyeing her suspiciously and gave him an apologetic smile.

‘I’ll be gone in a bit.’

He didn’t respond, instead buried his head back in his magazine. Amy wrung her hands together and paced the small room back and forth, feeling uncomfortable. While she waited she perused the wall menu, going through the different combinations of pizza available, thinking the prices were a little inflated for the quality of pizza sold. She’d had takeaway from here once or twice, but it wouldn’t be her first choice. Every now and again she glanced out of the shop front window, but could see no sign of the man.

She didn’t have to wait long. Sullivan showed within ten minutes of her call, pulling to a halt outside the pizza takeaway. He wore jeans and a black T-shirt, probably thrown on in a rush, and a grim expression on his face.

‘Any sign of him?’ he asked Amy, by way of greeting.

She shook her head. ‘Not since I came in here.’

He glanced briefly at the counter assistant, who was trying hard to look like he was concentrating on his magazine and not what they were saying.

‘Okay, stay here.’

Sullivan disappeared outside the shop. He was gone for five long minutes, and when he returned Amy noticed the butt of a revolver poking out of the top of his jeans.

‘Whoever he was, he’s gone.’

‘Okay.’

‘Do you think it was someone who’d been in the bar?’

‘I don’t know. Maybe.’

‘You get a good look at him?’

‘Not really. It was dark and he wasn’t close enough to see properly.’

‘But you’re sure he was following you?’

‘Yes.’ She was beginning to think calling Sullivan was a bad idea. ‘I heard someone behind me. When I stopped, he stopped too. When I started running, he started running.’

Sullivan nodded, not looking overly convinced. He pulled out his badge and flashed it under the counter assistant’s nose. ‘The lady says she was being followed when she came in here. Did you see anything?’

‘No! No! Nothing at all.’

Not that he would probably say if he had, Amy thought, but decided to keep it to herself. The counter assistant wasn’t going to be any help.

Sullivan fired a few more questions at him before evidently coming to the same conclusion. He glanced at Amy; his expression unreadable. ‘Come on. I’ll take you home.’

With another quick apologetic glance at the counter assistant, Amy followed him out to the Audi.

‘So, do you walk home from work after every shift?’ he asked as she climbed in the passenger seat and closed the door.

‘It’s only twelve blocks. I’ve never had a problem before.’

‘That wasn’t what I asked.’ He paused, hand on ignition, and looked at her, dark eyes questioning. ‘Do you walk home after every shift?’ he repeated.

Amy sighed, irritated at the pointless question. ‘Yes… mostly. I don’t see what relevance it has. I’ve never been followed before.’

‘Not that you know about. Look, I’m trying to establish a pattern. If he was following you, he probably knows your routine.’

‘If he was following me? You think I’m making it up? Being paranoid?’

‘I never said you were making it up.’

‘I know when I’m being followed.’