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With the computer gone, the closeness of their positions became tough to ignore. Lila protected her personal space. She didn’t like to be crowded or hugged. Hated shopping and anywhere bunches of people gathered, walked and stumbled around.
She forced her body to still. Mentally counted down from ten then did it again to fend off the inevitable punch of anxiety she sensed lingering but coming fast.
“Are you handy?” Ginny asked the question in a calm voice, ignoring that they practically sat on top of each other.
Lila rested her hands on her lap and concentrated on not shifting around or rubbing her hands together. “I learned how to put down tile. Hang crown molding. Paint with a finish that looks professional.”
“And Aaron?”
Lila barely heard the words over the whooshing sound in her head. She diverted all of her energy into keeping her voice even. “He preferred to knock things down.”
“Excuse me?”
It took Lila a second to remember what she’d said. Right... “Demolition. He excelled at that and then got pretty good at drywall.”
“There’s no one here with you. I met a neighbor on my way in, but she didn’t follow me inside.” Ginny stood up and took off her glasses. They disappeared back into her pocket as she continued her walk around the living room.
Lila’s chest ached. The force of keeping her relieved exhale trapped inside had her shoulders slumping. “I didn’t think you’d want an audience for our meeting.”
“Do you have family in the area?”
The thumping anxiety subsided. That question proved how little homework the investigator had done. “Other than Aaron’s brother, no.”
Ginny froze and stared down at Lila again. “Does that mean they live in another state or...?”
“What does my family have to do with Aaron?”
“This could get difficult, Lila.” Ginny let out a sigh. “Press. Questions. Search parties. Unless your husband walks in that door soon or calls, that sort of intrusion lies ahead of you, and you might need some support.”
Lila hadn’t associated family with support or peace in a very long time. “I can call my friend.”
“Singular.”
“Nothing on his credit cards either.” The comment came out as a blurt, but if Ginny could leap from topic to topic, so could she.
Ginny hummed. “He could have some you don’t know about.”
“Possible, but since I pay all the bills from a joint account it would be a surprise. I’m not sure he even knows where I keep the checkbook.” She leaned back into the couch cushions, more comfortable and back in control as she crossed one leg over another. “I have a question for you.”
“Go ahead.”
“There’s a woman missing. Disappeared about thirty minutes from here.” It was time to start poisoning the well. Not that it would be hard since the details were all over the news and the headline on that damn podcast. “Brunette. Young and pretty. What we all need to be if we ever go missing because those seem to be the only victims the public cares about.”
Ginny didn’t even blink. “Karen Blue. What about her?”
Lila dropped her foot back to the floor and leaned forward with her elbows balanced on her knees. “If you’re the lead investigator, why aren’t you working on that case?”
Ginny made a face, almost a wince, but quickly schooled her features again. “Maybe I am.”
“You think the same person who took Karen, a female college student, also took Aaron, a thirtysomething male teacher?”
“Despite what television suggests, we work on more than one case at a time.”
“You’re not on the task force?”
“There are also jurisdictional issues. Her case is outside of mine. It’s a different county.” Ginny crossed her arms in front of her. “How were things between you and Aaron last night?”
Look at that topic pivot.Blow landed.Now Lila knew where to hit next time. “The usual.”
