Page 29 of Broken: Taylor

Have to go out of town.

Texted Eric. He’s back.

Let me know if you have a

Place to stay tonight.

You can still come here.

She readthe text several times. Actually Taylor leaving town worked out well. She’d have time to make the arrangements, ensure the place was locked up tight and stay there.

Daylight always gave people courage. The shadows and night sounds would strip it away, of that she had no doubts.

Through the window, the patrol car was parked in front of the café. Allison grabbed her sweatshirt from the back of a chair, picked up her keys and headed out.

The bell over the café door dinged and every eye turned to her. Two women were at one table sipping coffee. At another table, a couple chatted over sandwiches and drinks.

There was no one behind the counter. One of the women looked to her. “They are in the back office. Mindy and the policeman.”

It was best to wait. Allison sat at the closest table.

When Eric walked out, Allison asked about what Taylor had texted.

Eric had not seen Taylor’s text and quickly scanned it after Allison told him.

While reading, he motioned her outside. “Too many perked ears in there,” he said with a smile. They walked back to her shop together

Once inside, he placed his cell back into his front shirt pocket. “Look, I don’t want you staying here alone. Although we have a suspect, he’s still out there. Can you stay somewhere?”

It would be an inconvenience, but she nodded. “Yes.” Allison told him about the guy she’d seen from her window.

Eric seemed sure the suspect was in Billings and the guy she and Mindy had seen was a reporter. Once he left, she began to quickly put the arrangements together for the woman. Glad for the work as it was a great distractor.

* * *

Tori’s laughterrang out as Allison talked about the encounter with the snooty woman who’d returned for the centerpieces.

“I suppose they will have to do,” the woman had stated and made a production of pulling twenty-five dollars from her Louis Vuitton wallet. “For your effort.”

“What do you plan to do with all that cash?” Tori asked. “Don’t spend it all in one place.”

“I got this bottle of wine and we’re going to order takeout. How about that?”

Tori shook her head. “No pizza please.”

Just a few blocks from the flower shop, Tori lived in a cute one-story cottage. Every time Allison drove or walked by, it reminded her of a fairytale house.

She looked around the space. Tori’s taste for décor was Allison’s absolute opposite. Where Allison preferred clean lines, Tori’s home was more on the eclectic side. The colorful throw pillows on a bright red couch and modern art on the walls matched Tori’s bubbly personality.

The petite woman had worn her hair waist length in high school. Now her hair was a flattering pixie cut. Dangling earrings shimmered from her ears as she turned to face where Allison sat.

“You know, it’s so nice to spend time with you now. Remember how we always used to hang out at each other’s houses?”

“Until you started dating Tobias,” Allison quipped. “Then it was all googly eyes and kissy-kissy faces.”

Tori sighed. “Those days things were so simple.” Her bright eyes snapped to Allison. “Speaking of the Hamiltons, what’s up with you and Taylor? You seemed pretty engrossed in each other the other night.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda strange. I’m not sure what’s going on between us. We had sex. It was amazing.” Allison giggled. “I can’t believe it. Remember how I used to obsess over him?”