Page 96 of Obsession

“I have a pickup I use for dirty work.” He pushed the start button and pulled away from the curb.

Emma tried to picture him in a pickup. Corey Chandler just didn’t seem the type. “I gather it isn’t a monster truck.”

He laughed. “You are delightful. No, it’s a late-model four-wheel drive.” Then he turned somber. “I want you to understand I wasn’t listening to your phone conversation, but I got the feeling you’d gotten bad news.”

She’d tried to keep her voice down, but the apartment wasn’t that big. “I have a couple of friends in the hospital, and I’d hoped to hear they were better.”

“They’re not?”

“No. Still critical.” Emma didn’t want to get into particulars. She held the armrest as he made a sharp turn and drove toward the downtown area.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. Oh, my mom said to tell you hello.”

He stopped for a traffic light, and Emma sensed Corey looking at her and turned toward him.

“Your mother remembers me?”

“Yes, and she spoke highly of you.”

53

Sam had arrived back at Emma’s apartment building with the two license plate readers in time to see Corey Chandler’s white Lexus pull away from the curb. With darkness closing in, he’d been tempted to wait until morning to install the cameras, but he was here and he had a good hanging lantern he could use. By the time he’d installed and synced them, it was almost seven.

Sam’s stomach growled. Emma’s sandwich hadn’t stuck with him, and he was tempted to drop by the Guest House and grab a bite before he entered the data into the programs. But if Emma happened to see him, she would assume he was jealous. And he wasn’t. Sam simply didn’t trust the attorney.

Instead he drove to his sister’s house and was glad to see Jenny’s car wasn’t parked out front. He might as well enter the data into RISS and ViCAP from the house. He set his computer on the bar and noticed Jenny had cooked, and whatever it was smelled delicious. While the computer booted up, he peeked inside the pots on the stove. Green beans, a roast, and potatoes. She hadn’t mentioned company was coming. He was tempted to fix himself a plate, but she may not have expected him to eat, and so he settled for another sandwich and took it to his room. He’d just finished it when the front door opened.

“We’re home,” Jenny called.

“I’m in my room.”

A minute later his sister knocked softly. “I didn’t think you’d be back so early.”

Jace pushed past her. “You should’ve been at practice! I made two goals.”

“Son, don’t bother your uncle. He’s busy,” she said.

“I’m not busy yet.” Sam snapped his laptop closed and shifted his full attention to Jace. “Say practice was good?”

The boy nodded. “Coach is letting me start tomorrow’s game.” He turned to his mother, who was chewing on her thumbnail. “I’m hungry.”

“Well, we can’t eat until Granna gets here. Did you wash your hands after you got home?” His nephew looked down at his hands and shook his head. “Go and wash. Now.” Jenny pointed toward the bathroom.

“Aww, I wanted to tell Sam about the game and—”

“Now, young man.” She looked up but avoided Sam’s eyes. “Flu is raging in this town.”

He could tell something was bothering Jenny other than her son’s hands. After he left, Sam said, “Mom’s coming for dinner? Something special going on I don’t know about?”

“Uh ... no.” Jenny took a deep breath. “Dad’s coming too.”

Sam stared at her. “Did you say...”

She lifted her chin. “Yes, that’s exactly what I said. Dad’s coming with Mom.” She checked her watch. “And they’ll be here in ten minutes. I almost didn’t tell you because I really wish you would talk to him...”

Sam’s jaw went rigid, and he pressed his lips in a thin line. “How can you—”

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