Page 20 of Forever Dead

“Yesterday Eric let me alphabetize the takeout menus on the reception counter.”

Connor almost smiled. Almost. That was when Selena knew something was wrong.

There was a seriousness in his eyes she recognized from crime scenes and hospital corridors. His shoulders sat higher than usual, and he had not made one comment about the cane.

Selena stopped a few feet from him. “What’s happened, Connor?”

Connor closed the SUV door. “Has your dad been around lately?”

The question caught her off guard. “A couple of days ago. Why?”

"Is he doing okay?"

“As far as I know. Connor, what’s going on?”

Connor looked toward reception, then back to her. “Something’s happened that might affect him, that’s all.”

Selena tightened her grip on the cane. “What is it?”

He hesitated. “Can you hop in the SUV?”

“I can stand.”

“I know you can. I’d rather you sit down before I tell you.”

That removed any doubt. Connor opened the passenger door and moved close enough to help without making a production of it. Selena hated needing the support, but climbing into the seat with the brace was awkward and she was not in the mood to prove anything.

His hand steadied her elbow while she lifted the bad leg into the footwell. “Easy.”

“I’ve got it.”

Selena settled into the seat and rested the cane between her knees. Connor walked around the hood and got behind the wheel, but he did not start the engine.

Through the windshield, the forest filled most of the view beyond the motel. The trees seemed brighter from inside the vehicle, their gold leaves moving gently in the sun.

“Halloween’s nearly here,” Selena said.

Connor followed her attention. “Yeah.”

“You always loved it.”

“We always loved it.”

That drew the smallest smile from her. “You more than me.”

“You were the one who made me drive thirty miles because you heard that farm outside Pineville had a haunted corn maze.”

“You wanted to go.”

“It was fun until I got lost.”

For a few seconds, the old memory sat comfortably between them. Then Connor's expression changed again.

“I think people are going to be on edge for this one.”

Selena turned toward him. “Why?”

He took a breath. “Miss Marsh has been murdered.”