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“I am sorry.”
He handed her a plate of steaming eggs over medium. She put two pieces of the buttered toast on his plate, and they sat at the bar eating quietly.
Finally, Tiberius spoke. “We’ve been thinking about this killer. It’s possible he’s infiltrated your life. Any new clients lately or within the past year?”
“If he’s a former cult member, I’d know him.” She tore off a piece of toast and swiped it through the yolk.
“Not necessarily. Only if he lived in the gated community, and maybe not even then.” He sipped his coffee. “We have to think of every possibility.”
“I always have new clients, but the lion’s share are women. No one is on my radar, but I’ll go through and look. Thanks for breakfast, by the way, and spending time with Josiah. He kick your butt in Call of Duty again?”
“Well, of course. You talk to him about the drinking?” He mimicked her toast-dipping action.
“I did. It wasn’t a pretty confrontation, but what teenager wants to be reprimanded? I think he’ll adhere to the rules.” At least, she hoped he would. A roaring out front caught her attention, and she frowned and headed for the front door.
Seemed a little early for mowing, especially small lawns with very little grass. She peeked out the front door. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“What is it?”
“Not it. Who. Milo Brandywine. My client who walked in on us the other day. He’s out here trying to mow my yard.” She threw open the door and waved him down. He wore a faded blue Charlotte Hornets T-shirt, jeans with the knees worn, and grass-stained tennis shoes. His push mower was ancient, and he wore earbuds in his ears.
With a boyish grin, he shut down the mower and removed his earbuds. “Hey Miss Hemmingway. I drove by the other day and noticed your yard needed mowing. Thought I’d help you out.”
Milo had no reason to be driving by her house when he lived on the other side of the island. “That’s kind of you, but I can mow my own yard.” After he burst into her office the other day, she had a feeling something like this might happen. “Really. It’s Labor Day. Go home and relax. I’ll see you in a few days for your appointment.”
He pulled a face and held his hands out. “I wanted to do something nice for you, Miss Hemmingway. You’ve been good to me. You deserve to be taken care of, you know?”
Tiberius stepped up behind her, and his chest grazed the back of her head, his body heat radiating. “Problem out here?” he asked. She elbowed him in the gut.
“No. Milo was being kind, but it’s unnecessary, right, Milo?”
“I guess.” He leaned on the mower. “You’re that guy yelling at Miss Hemmingway the other day, aren’t you?”
“Milo, that’s none of your concern. I’m completely safe. I’ll see you at your appointment, okay?” Bexley said again with more insistence.
Reluctantly, Milo pushed his mower toward his beat-up truck. “Fine. But I don’t think anyone should be yelling at you.”
“I agree and appreciate that. See you soon.” She closed her door as Milo clambered into his truck. Inside, she spun on Tiberius. “You’re here about Ahnah and the person who abducted her. Not my personal life. Milo is sensitive and needs to be handled with care. He’s no threat.”
Tiberius shot her a warning look. “Everyone, until they’re ruled out, is a threat. My job is to deal with threats.” His phone rang. “Hold on, I’m not done.”
“I am.”
“Finish your eggs, Bex, and quit being bratty.” He answered. “Hey, Bear, what’s up?” His face paled and his jaw hardened. “Okay. I’m coming to you.” He ended the call.
“What is it? What’s happened?” She clutched the counter, her heart beating wildly out of control, and her muscles turned to lead, so heavy. Every limb of her body tugged her down as if the floor would open and suck her in.
“Another woman has been found. At Bodie Island Lighthouse. We don’t know who she is.”
“That’s the north end of Cape Hatteras island. Nags Head. Can I come? What if it’s—” She couldn’t bring herself to say Ahnah’s name. But it could be her. It might be her.
What if it was her?
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Monday, September 3
