Page 134 of Taken Away

“When was the last time you spoke with her?”

“Three days before she died.”

“About?”

“Distribution.”

“What else?”

Vanessa thought about it.

“Honestly?”

“Honestly.”

A sad smile appeared.

“She was trying to fix Bennett.”

Burke looked up. “Fix him?”

“Get him dating again.” The smile softened. “Mabel worried about him. Wanted him to move on.”

Burke made a note.

He closed his notebook. “That’s all I’ve got for now.”

Vanessa nodded. “If you need anything else, call me.”

She set her coffee on the bar and slid her sunglasses back into place.

Up on the mezzanine, Aubrey stepped out of Mabel’s office again, this time carrying a stack of folders.

Movement below caught her attention.

Burke now stood at the bar talking to Vanessa Mercer.

Bennett waited near the bottom of the stairs, the file still in his hand.

Vanessa laughed at something Burke said. The sound was easy, unforced.

Bennett slid the file across the bar as she walked over.

Vanessa reached for it without looking, her fingers briefly touching his as she took it.

Bennett pulled his hand back almost immediately, already turning his attention to whatever Burke was saying.

Something about it unsettled Aubrey.

It wasn't the touch. It was how comfortable they seemed together.

Vanessa said something under her breath, just for Bennett.

He gave a small smirk in answer.

Aubrey’s stomach tightened.

And suddenly Aubrey didn’t like Vanessa Mercer.