Page 57 of Condemned By Secrets

What are they talking about?

“If this cop starts digging too deeply . . .” He let the threat linger before continuing, “I’m not the only one with something to hide.”

Anna didn’t like where this conversation was heading. She ducked back into the trees for cover but kept her ears open.

“I’m aware of that, Gerald.” The mayor sounded calm now. “But going after a police officer . . .”

Her voice trailed off, and Anna imagined her shaking her meticulously-styled head.

“That’s not what I agreed to.”

“You agreed to do what was necessary to push my development projects on the town. Taking care of this Monroe—”

They’re talking about Luther!Anna gasped and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. They didn’t seem to have heard her as they continued their conversation.

“—is part of that.”

“I won’t sully my hands with this.” The mayor’s voice turned shrill.

“Yes, you will. Get rid of this cop. I don’t care if you have to put a bullet in his head yourself.” The man she’d called Gerald hissed. “Do it. Or ourfriendwill hear about your noncompliance.”

At ‘bullet’, Anna’s blood started roaring in her ears.

They’re talking about killing Luther!

Anna’s breathing accelerated as fear swamped her, and she stumbled backward. She had to get out of here and warn him. Turning to flee, she got no more than a step before pain exploded in the back of her skull and the world went dark.

CHAPTER 22

Luther checked his watch again and frowned. There was a steadily growing pit in his stomach filling with unease. He was leaning against the counter at Daisy’s Diner, the best restaurant in town. It wasn’t the best because it was fancy. There were no white tablecloths amongst the bright red booths and stained concrete floor. But it had the bestfoodin town—food he’d been looking forward to sharing with Anna.

It wasn’t like her to stand him up, at least not without a text—a call—something. Luther checked his phone, but there were no messages. She was now twenty minutes late. Unable to stop himself, he glanced at his watch again.Make that twenty-two minutes.

“Luther, you’ve looked at your watch five times in the last few minutes. Is everything all right, boy?”

Luther turned to the elderly man seated on a red stool next to where he was standing. The man’s white tufts of hair stuck out from under his faded Chicago Bears cap. It was Mr. Delacourt. Everyone in town knew him. He practically lived at the diner, at least it seemed that way since he was always there. While Luther usually wouldn’t have minded chatting with the man, his thoughts were swirling down a dark hole. If Anna wasn’t here, something had to be wrong.

Luther’s expression became pinched as worry set his nerves on edge. He didn’t try for a smile, just nodded. “I hope so, Mr. D.”

Mr. Delacourt frowned. “Date stand you up?”

Luther’s brow wrinkled. “Looks that way, doesn’t it?” But he didn’t think it was that simple. A quiver in his gut told him otherwise.

Mr. Delacourt clasped his shoulder. “Happens to the best of us, boy.” He slid his plate closer to Luther. “Have half my Reuben. It’ll help take the sting out.”

Luther managed a small smile. “No thanks, Mr. D.” He pushed off the counter. “I’m going to find out where she is.”

Mr. Delacourt saluted him as he headed for the door. “Good luck.”

Luther said a silent thank you and hoped he wouldn’t need it.

When he reached his car, he called Anna, but it went straight to voicemail. Frowning at that, he left a quick message asking her to call him back, then he cranked the engine to head for their apartment building.

If he was lucky, she’d be there. Maybe she’d lost track of time or had gotten held up at work . . . yeah, and maybe pigs could fly. Luther ran a jerky hand through his hair. If that had been the case, she would’ve texted . . . or answered her phone. He prayed he was wrong as the worry in his gut turned into heartburn and seared its way up his chest.

???

Luther?

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