Page 45 of The Last Close Call

“This one’s a little different. It’s a guy who’s been estranged from his family for quite a while. But now he needs a bone marrow transplant, and he’s looking for relatives.”

“ ‘Estranged’ like a deadbeat dad?”

“I don’t know the full story, but I get the impression it’s something like that. His grown kids want nothing to do with him, for whatever reason. So now he’s looking for other potentially eligible relatives.”

“Doesn’t sound like a joyful family reunion.”

“It’s not. And to be honest, this guy strikes me as kind of a jerk. But his situation is pretty dire, and if he can find someone willing to help him, it might save his life.”

He nodded. “Noble work you’re doing there.”

She rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t call it that. It’s not like I’m helping him for free.” Although, she was giving him a discount because she felt bad about his situation. So many of her clients had deep regrets, for one reason or another, about losing touch with their families. Rowan wasn’t close to her family, either, and sometimes she wondered whether she’d look back someday and wish she’d done things differently.

“Still, you’re helping him,” Jack said. “Sounds like more than his kids are doing.”

“I don’t fault the kids, really.” Rowan sipped her drink. “Sounds like he’s the one who broke off contact when they were little and needed him. Now they’re grown and they’ve moved on with their lives. That’s what people do.”

Jack pulled his phone from his pocket and muttered a curse. Rowan hadn’t heard a ringtone, so it must have been on vibrate. His brow furrowed as he read the message.

“You need to go?”

The look in his eyes answered her question.

“Sorry,” he said, tucking the phone away.

“No worries.”

Lila had stashed his card and receipt in a glass in front of him. He signed the tab, leaving a big tip.

“Sorry,” he repeated.

“It’s fine. I need to get back to Skyler, anyway.” She glanced around the bar. “I’m her ride tonight.”

“She left, I think.”

“What?”

“She went outside with someone ten minutes ago.” He slid off his stool.

Rowan caught Lila’s gaze as she poured vodka with an elaborate flourish.

“Hey, did Sky leave?” she asked over the noise.

“Yep.”

Rowan glanced at Jack. “Guess I’m out, too, then.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, it’s late anyway. Catch you later, Lila.”

“Later, babe.”

Jack stood beside her as she slid off the stool and grabbed her purse. He steered her through the crowd, making a path for them without touching anyone. They stepped through the doors into the cold air, and Rowan wished she’d brought a jacket.

She glanced across the parking lot and noticed the black Jeep beside her car.

Hugging her arms to her body, she set off across the lot.

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