Page 44 of The Last Close Call

“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked.

“I think I’m supposed to buy you one. Especially considering the crappy week you’re having.”

His expression clouded, and she regretted saying anything. He took the cue from her hand and replaced them both in the rack on the wall. Then he grabbed his jacket, and they stepped over to the bar, where a pair of seats had just been vacated.

Rowan scanned the room for Skyler, but she wasn’t in sight.

“Lila, have you met Jack?” Rowan asked when Lila put coasters in front of them.

“Good to meet you.” Lila smiled and pretended she knew nothing about the mysterious detective she had been teasing Rowan about for days. “What would you like?”

“A Shiner Bock, if you have it.”

“Bottle okay?”

“Sure.”

“Rowan?”

“Diet Coke.” She looked at Jack. “I’m the driver tonight.”

He didn’t seem to mind her order, but when she reached for her wallet, he waved her off and handed over his card.

Lila slid their drinks in front of them, and Rowan pivoted on her stool to face him. He seemed uptight still, despite walloping her at pool. She sipped her drink and watched him.

He looked good, and she felt a ripple of excitement that he’d come here to see her. Even if he’d come to talk about the case, she was still glad to see him.

“You know, I might be able to help,” she said, setting her glass on the coaster.

“With what?”

“If you give me the name, I could do some research for you.”

“Research?” He tipped his beer back.

“It’s what I do.”

“Thanks for the offer.”

“But you’re not interested.”

“No.” He set the bottle down. “But thanks.”

She tamped down her frustration and stirred her drink with the straw. Was he being stubborn because he didn’t want to reveal the suspect’s name? Or because he didn’t think she could help? Either way, it irked her. If she hadn’t run up against the adoption issue, she would know the name now anyway. So why did it matter if he gave it to her?

“So, how’s the search angel business going?” he asked.

“Good. Great, actually. I’m swamped.”

He sipped his drink, watching her.

“I just got a referral from a former client,” she added, since he seemed interested.

“You’re making a name for yourself.”

“Finally. Seems like it’s taken forever.”

“Another adoption case?”

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