Page 104 of Cougar Point

“One last question, Larry. Was Lucas’s wife right- or left-handed?”

“Now you’re getting it. Left-handed. Look, I got to go. Good luck. We didn’t talk.” With that he hung up.

Ronnie puts her phone away. “Do you think Larry or Lieutenant Sitzman will tell Lucas we were asking questions about him?”

“Larry? Hell no. Sitzman? I’m counting on it.”

SIXTY-EIGHT

MARCH 2023

Whatcom County

As soon as Lucas walked through the doorway of Dr. Wright’s office, he could sense things were different today. It was hard to articulate but it was like the sun had come out after a spell of bad weather. He noticed that the bookshelves behind her were empty. Cardboard boxes were stacked in the corner of the office.

Stephanie Wright was wearing a teal blouse today and, for the first time, a welcoming smile.

“Thank you for coming in,” she said, standing up and beckoning him in. “I appreciate you moving our session.”

Lucas closed the door behind him, “Not a problem, I was in the neighborhood.” He glanced at the pile of boxes. “Moving to a bigger office?”

“Moving to a bigger state.” She smiled.

Lucas paused for a second as he was pulling out his chair to take this in, then nodded and sat down.

“Guy could take that personally, you know.”

Wright beamed, and Lucas suddenly realized this must be what she was like when she was talking to someone she actuallyliked spending time with. The severity in her demeanor was completely gone,

“A position came up in LA. My fiancé lives down there, so it’s a no-brainer.”

“Congratulations,” Lucas said. “It’s great news.” No lie.

She smiled again and put her hands down on the desk. He noticed her notebook was nowhere to be seen. “Anyway, I wanted to see you before I left, because I wanted to know that you’re still making progress.”

“I’m getting there, Doc.”

“And the case you’re working?”

Lucas shrugged. “It’s a challenge.”

“You’re not getting anywhere?”

“Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

“Aren’t we here to talk about me?”

“Thisisabout you. You coming to see me was a condition of you returning to work so rapidly after your tragedy. The work is a part of that.”

Lucas spread his hands in surrender. “I can’t really talk about it.”

“I understand. But if it would help, youcantalk about it. I can’t divulge any information you give me, whether it’s about a live case or anything else.”

Lucas watched her face. For the first time, he felt like he had a slight edge on her. He sensed something in her: a curiosity. Perhaps if he indulged that curiosity, she would give him something too.

He leaned forward. Glanced at her pad. “How do you think I’m doing. Really?”

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