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“It’s easy to think you have a corner on sorrow until you meet someone in worse straits.”
She peered at him in the darkness, but his features were shadowed. “Are you saying you’ve had a tragic loss in your life?”
His step faltered for a millisecond, but he quickly recovered his gait. “I doubt anyone reaches their thirties without experiencing some measure of sorrow or loss. I’ll get the door for you.” He picked up his pace toward the car, moving ahead of her. Ending their conversation.
Hmm.
What trauma was he nursing that he didn’t want to talk about?
He didn’t give her a chance to probe, because as he slid behind the wheel, he changed the subject. “Why don’t you direct me to your house while we discuss our meeting with Mr. Wallace?”
Despite her curiosity about his past, she went along with his suggestion. “Go straight on to the T intersection, then hang a right. What did you think of his story?”
“If what he told us is accurate—and I have no reason to doubt his sincerity or truthfulness—there are disconcerting inconsistencies in his daughter’s case, just like there are in the Kavanaugh fire.”
“I know. My top priority tomorrow is to dive into Les’s list. If I can match up names and cases, I’ll go through the case reports with a fine-tooth comb, searching for parallels or similarities. Les would have done that too, but I have more information than he had—from his own case.”
“If you want me to review any cases you find as well, I’d be happy to.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
“Moving on to practicalities for the moment, would you like a lift in to work tomorrow? Your office isn’t far from mine. I could also give you a ride after work to pick up your car, if it’s ready.”
Bri hesitated. Jack would be happy to do both, but for all she knew, he was still working the double murder. When he finally did get home, he’d crash. Asking him to rise at the crackof dawn to deliver her to the office would be inconsiderate. Especially with another offer on the table from a man who wouldn’t have to drive all the way downtown from his usual County beat to help her out, as Jack would.
Her phone began to vibrate. “I’ve got a call coming in. Give me a minute?”
“No problem.”
Alison’s name flashed on the screen as she pulled out her cell. Not a call she had to answer, but it would give her a minute to think through her strategy for tomorrow.
She put the phone to her ear. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Just checking in. You were pretty stressed at our lunch on Friday. I thought you might be glad to hear a friendly voice.”
Bri peeked at her chauffeur. His friendly voice had already boosted her spirits, though there was no need to share that with Alison.
“I appreciate that after the day I’ve had.”
“What happened?”
“Two flat tires.”
“Seriously? That stinks.”
“Tell me about it.”
“So how can I help? Do you want a lift home tonight, or to a garage tomorrow after work to pick up your car? I’d offer to take you to work too, but I’m on early shift.”
Her commuting options had expanded.
“Um ... can I call you back in a few minutes? I’m tied up at the moment.”
“Sure. Sorry you have to deal with such a mess.”
“Could be worse. Talk to you soon. And thank you.”
“Friends help each other out. Ciao.”
