Page 69 of Hunting Justice

“Thought you did prayer.” He smirked.

She rolled her eyes. “Ever hear of something called an expression? Now, come on.”

A minute later they stood inside Body Murals. Unlike the last two places, chairs and tables filled the interior. The buzz of the tattoo guns hummed in the air, several clients in the middle of a tattoo.

A burly guy that reminded Jonah of Popeye stalked toward them. Jonah leaned close to Noelle. “This could be fun.”

Noelle backhanded him in the stomach. “Knock it off.”

“Morning, y’all. How can I help?” The man’s easygoing tone shocked Jonah. He’d expected the guy to be grumpy, or at least brusque.

“We’d like to see if you recognize the artist who did this Chinese symbol.” Noelle held out her phone.

The man gripped her wrist and lifted for a better look. The gesture had Jonah ready to defend if the guy moved wrong. “Hmm. Looks a bit like Vincent’s work.”

Now they were getting somewhere. Jonah leaned his hip against the counter. “Does Vincent have a last name?”

“Nah. That’s his artist name. As in Van Gogh.”

“Oh.” The defeat in Noelle’s tone was noticeable.

“His given name was Richard Nelson.”

“That helps. But you said was.”

“Yeah, the guy walked out of here about eight years ago and never returned. Left all his gear here, too. Oddest thing.”

“Why wouldn’t he take his things?” Jonah flipped the information around in his mind.

“Not sure. The equipment is expensive.”

“Where is it now?” Noelle slid her phone into her pocket.

“I stored it in the back for six months, then sold it. Kept the cash for another three months, but when he didn’t call or come by…” The guy shrugged.

“I get it.” Jonah straightened. “Thanks for the information.”

“Anytime.”

Energized for the first time all day, Jonah and Noelle headed to her car and got inside.

“We finally have a name.” The smile that graced her face made his insides turn to mush.

“It all fits. The timing. The artwork. We might just solve your cold cases yet.” He couldn’t help but share her enthusiasm. Her delight was contagious.

The atmosphere in the car as they drove through the backroads heading to the main part of town had changed. Happiness replaced the intensity that had overwhelmed them both.

“Call the team and let them know.” Noelle slipped her phone from her pocket—not an easy feat considering she was driving—and handed it to him.

He tapped on the screen to open her favorites on the phone. “I’m hoping they’ve made progress too.”

Her eyes darted from the rearview mirror to the side mirror and back.

“What is it?” Jonah glanced over his shoulder.

“A truck, coming up on us fast.”

Jonah huffed. “I knew the peaceful day was too good to be true.” A long horn blast jerked his attention to the road ahead. He grabbed the armrest on the door. “Noelle. There’s a train crossing on the tracks ahead of us.”

---