Page 67 of The House Beyond the Dunes

“Glad you asked.” I smile, though I’m not sure if it exudes friendliness. “I’m trying to catch up with Nikki.”

Jana stiffens. “I moved out of our place last week. Haven’t seen her since.”

“Why’d you leave?”

“Why do you care?”

“Wondering if your move had anything to do with the blood on Nikki’s bed? Maybe you saw the blood and decided to take off.”

Her complexion pales. “Are you a cop?”

I laugh, feeling genuine enjoyment. “God, no. My name is Stevie. I worked with Nikki at Joey’s Bar. She’s a good kid, and I’m a little worried about her. When she unexpectedly missed work, I went by your place and saw the blood on the bed. I also noticed your room was cleaned out.”

She crosses to the counter and grabs her purse. “I don’t want trouble.”

“Neither do I. I want to find Nikki.”

“Really? Seems to me you’re looking for trouble.”

“Nope. Just Nikki.”

“I don’t know where she is.” Keys rattle as she fishes them out of a large brown purse. “Have you asked Pete?”

“Pete with the black truck?”

“That’s the guy. She showed up two weeks ago, and Pete was days behind her. I didn’t like having him around, so I left.”

“I hear what you’re saying. He’s not one of my favorite people. In fact, I took out his right knee with a baseball bat.”

Her gaze pins me with fresh interest. “Then you know he’s no good.”

“Does Pete have a last name?”

“Griffin.”

“He has Virginia plates on his truck.”

“That’s right. He drives down here for business a few days a week. He’s an electrician. Lives in Chesapeake, I think. Beyond that, I don’t know anything. I’m not sure how he hooked up with Nikki.”

“Was she seeing anyone else?” I ask.

“Not that I know of. She’s young and cute, so if she did, I wouldn’t be surprised. Why not, right?”

I hold up my hands. “Preaching to the choir, Jana. Was there anyone who maybe wasn’t nice to her beyond Pete?”

The woman eyes me. “Sure you’re not a cop?”

“Keep that up, and I’m going to think you don’t like me.” I pick up a shot glass that readsCorolla.

“The last guy she brought by the apartment was about July 2. He was older. Seemed to have money. Drove a nice car.”

“But this was after you moved out, right?”

“Yeah. But I’d left a few things behind, including a bear that has a nanny cam inside. I got sick of my shit walking out the door, so I set up the camera.”

“And you taped Mr.Wonderful?”

“I didn’t think much of the recording as I was watching it. Nikki was with a new guy. No big deal. So, I deleted it.”

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