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Without realizing how disturbing her observations were to Emory, she added, “But he’s been awful nice to me, from right off when he looked into the truck and saw that I was ailing. He’s treated me nice, and not like he expects anything in return. If you know what I mean.”
Emory nodded understanding.
Lisa thoughtfully plucked at the frayed hem on the top sheet. “I don’t think he’s the kind of man who’d mess with me. Take advantage of a woman. You know?”
“No, I’m certain he’s not that kind of man.” Emory had been with him for three days, and he hadn’t taken advantage, even when she’d thrown herself at him. You almost got me, Doc.
“What do you make of him, Dr. Smith?”
Emory turned back to the window and watched him scratch the dog behind its ears. He unhooked the chain from its collar. Nuzzling his hand, the dog happily fell into step beside him as he turned and headed back toward the house.
“Honestly, Lisa, I have no idea what to make of him.”
Chapter 16
You warm enough back there?” Sam Knight looked
at Jeff through the rearview mirror.
Riding in the backseat of the SUV, with its official markings on the door panels and light bar of the roof, he felt like a caged animal in a circus parade, part of the sideshow, but disliking it intensely. “I’m fine. Thanks.”
“Still cold as a witch’s tit this morning. But at least the snow has stopped. Let me know if you need more heat.”
“I will.”
“There’s Buddy.”
Knight pulled off the road and up to the entrance of a local bakery, where Grange was waiting out front. He was holding a flat box and a white paper sack in his gloved hands, stamping his feet to stay warm. As soon as the SUV came to a stop, he climbed into the passenger seat.
“Lord! It’s cold.”
“Thanks for volunteering to get our breakfast,” Knight said. “Coffee smells good. Pass a cup on back to Jeff. What kind of doughnuts did you get?”
“An assortment.”
Knight drove back onto the highway but stayed in the outside lane, driving with care. With so much care, in fact, it was maddening to Jeff.
Grange distributed the coffee and passed the box of doughnuts around. Knight, fortified with a bite of his, addressed Jeff in the mirror. “Dr. James called us this morning.”
Grange corrected him, mumbling around a bite. “Dr. Butler.”
Knight turned to his partner. “Huh?”
“Dr. Butler’s the lady. Dr. James is the man.”
“Oh, right,” Knight said. “I keep getting their names mixed up. Anyhow, Jeff, she called.”
“She called me, too.”
“Did she?”
He nodded as he blew on his coffee. “To let me to know that the clinic is offering an award for information.”
“That’s something, isn’t it?” Knight exclaimed. “Twenty-five grand.”
Jeff said, “I’m humbled by their generosity. To think that Emory’s associates would do that for her. For me.”
“Speaks well of both y’all.”
