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“Good, now, let me tell you what I know.”
“Have things changed?”
“No, not regarding theinvestigation or scheduling, but some of the key players are missing.”
“Missing?” I asked as my legs began to tremble. I was glad I was sitting down. “Missing how?”
“Hard to trace kind of missing. He’s likely underground somewhere, so no need to worry, but I’m putting it out there. We’re looking for him.”
“Do I need to worry?”
“Not yet, but that’s why we’re keeping you on a tight leash and have people nearby to help you if need be.”
“January is a long way off, Cliff,” I said, glancing at the calendar that still said September.
“As you know, Dr. Felding was a white-collar criminal, not a violent one. Do I think he’s coming your way? No. I think he’s headed for a country without extradition, but that’s our problem, not yours.”
“It’s my problem if he comes for me first,” I answered between gritted teeth.
“He’d have to work hard to find you and as you know, he doesn’t like to work. Relax, follow our guidelines and you’ll be just fine.”
“Heard and understood,” I said, still unsure but knowing there was nothing I could do about it. “Our time starts over now?”
“Yes, a week from today, I’d better see your number on my caller ID and earlier if there’s a problem. SOS if there’s an emergency, such as being knocked unconscious and breaking your hand.”
I could almost hear his eye roll, but I didn’t care. I was technically following his guidelines. No crime had been committed to my knowledge. It was nothing more than an unfortunate accident.
“Noted. Talk soon, Cliff,” I said, before I closed the phone and lowered it to the table.
Felding was gone, which meant one of two things: this was almost over or it was just getting started.
Chapter Three
Thankfully, by the time we arrived at the diner, the breakfast crowd had dispersed and the lunch crowd hadn’t arrived yet. Hazel pulled the door open and held it for Star to pull me through the opening. I was used to people having to open the door for me, but it was frustrating when the kit to make doors accessible was less than a thousand dollars and DIY to install.
I rolled forward and waited for her to close the door behind me. “Where would you like to sit?” I asked, motioning her down near me so I could whisper. “I’d suggest the back of the diner. You’ll be less noticeable to everyone who comes through the door.”
Her laughter followed her as she stood up again. “That works for me. Less sun right now wouldn’t be bad for my head either.”
“Let’s do booth six then,” I agreed, urging Star forward and stopping by the booth at the back that had no windows. I matched the chair up to the booth seat, locked the wheels, released Star’s leash, and prepared to transfer. When I swung my legs over the hangers on the chair, Star walked under them for support until I was on the seat and comfortable.
“Rest time, Star,” I said, and the dog lay down near my feet.
Hazel was shaking her head when I glanced up from the menu. “What?” I asked. “Do you need to leave?”
“No,” she answered as she leaned forward on the table. “I’m always so in awe of what Star does to help you.”
“He’s a good boy,” I agreed with a smile. “On occasion he has to be my footstool if my feet can’t touch the floor. If there’s no brace for my feet, I’ll slide right out of the seat.”
“Why don’t you just stay in your chair? It would roll under this booth,” she said, checking to see where the table leg was.”
“It sure would,” I agreed but bit back the eye roll. “That said, it looks rather unprofessional to eat like this—” I brought my elbows up to my ears and imitated eating.
Her frown told me the visual was all she needed to understand. “You’re right. The table height is wrong. Man, people really need to do better.”
“I don’t say anything. Ivy is too sweet and it would bother her to know it’s a problem.”
“But you can’t make a change if you don’t say something, Irving,” she scolded.
