Page 83 of The Last Close Call

“How long has she been doing this?”

“About five years.” Rowan turned to look at the house. “This office space is new, though. She moved in here over the summer. I helped her move her stuff in.” She looked at Jack. “Thanks for asking me to come.”

“She’s your contact. I figured you’d want to be here.”

He gestured toward the sidewalk, and she walked ahead of him.

“Have you met her in person?” she asked.

“Not yet. I hired her over the phone. I filled her in on some basics, and she said she’d take it from there.”

“Did you explain the case you’re working on?”

“No. Just told her I needed a locate and that you recommended her.”

“Well, did you tell her it was urgent at least?”

“I think she got the idea.”

Rowan hiked up the wooden steps to the wide front porch. On either side of the door were clay flowerpots filled with wilted geraniums. She saw Jack noticing them.

“It’s a shared workspace,” Rowan said. “They’re not real big on amenities.”

Rowan opened the door, and they were greeted by an electronic bell as they stepped into a waiting room furnished with faux leather chairs.

Dara stuck her head out of an office down the hall.

“Oh, hey.” She smiled. “You’re here.”

She stepped into the hall and strode over. Dara had a petite build and dark hair, and people sometimes mistook her and Rowan for sisters. Today she wore her typical hoodie, jeans, and combat boots.

“Detective Bruner.” Dara thrust her hand out. “Nice to meet you.” She turned to Rowan. “Glad you could come, too.”

“Sure.”

They exchanged a look loaded with communication. Rowan hadn’t seen Dara since the start of her whirlwind romance with the software guy. And Dara had no doubt heard about Jack from Skyler and Lila.

“You guys want some coffee or anything?” Dara asked, motioning to the Keurig in the waiting room.

“No, thanks,” Jack said.

“Rowan?”

“No.”

“Come on back, then. I’ll show you what I found.”

They followed her down the hallway past a closed door, where a man could be heard talking on the phone. That would be the personal injury attorney, one of her two office mates. The other one was a female accountant.

“Forgive the mess,” Dara said as they stepped into her office.

The room was spacious, but most of the area was taken up by an enormous desk made from an unfinished wooden door. On the desk were Dara’s three computers—two notebooks and a desktop.

“I’ve been camped out here all day,” Dara said, tossing a Starbucks cup into the trash. “I’ve got a report due to a client Monday morning.”

“Thanks for making the time,” Jack said, and Rowan caught the hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Sure. Have a seat.” She gestured to a pair of side chairs. Rowan took the seat closest to the door so Jack could have a better view of the computer screens.

---