“Yeah, it’s coming back to me now. But still...”
“We have two missing girls with at least a personal connection, not to mention complementary skill sets in art and design.” Lotham shakes his head. “Honest to God, the more I learn in this case the less anything makes sense. But having said that, I think we should return to Livia’s school. Determine exactly what kind of mad skills she had, not to mention if she ever had Angelique with her in the classroom after hours. The fake bills have to mean something, though I’ll be damned if I know what.”
“We are going to visit Livia’s school?”
“In the interest of public safety, I think I should keep you close. Can’t have too many shootings in one day.”
He says the words lightly, but he’s tossing me a bone and we both know it. I’d like to say it’s all due to the power of my charm, but more likely it’s pity. Beggars can’t be choosers, so I don’t argue.
I push slowly out the booth. A final chug of coffee. A last cinnamon sugar Munchkin. My hands are still shaking from the morning’s misadventure. My stomach has a hollow, sick feel. But my job is my job. And given all the past mistakes I can’t change, thank God I still have this.
I rise to standing.
Lotham slings on his blue sports coat and leads me out the door.