Page 16 of Sully

“No. I mean, unless you bring a dog into my work… or frequent the local book or craft stores…”

“Seems like I’m hanging out in the wrong places,” he said, smile curving up, making his eyes crinkle just a little bit.

He was one of those guys.

The ones who couldn’t help but flirt with every woman he crossed paths with.

I wasn’t immune to the effects.

Even if I knew it wasn’t personal.

“I haven’t possibly… dated or hooked up with your friend, sister…”

“I don’t have a sister. Or, well, friends. Save for my boss. I mean… maybe you know Courtney,” I said, thinking of her active social life. “If you have your phone, you can look up the spa. Her picture is on the home screen.”

“Hm,” Sully said a moment later as he stared at his phone. I didn’t see any recognition in his face. “I don’t think I’ve seen her before either. That tattoo on her arm is memorable.”

It was a work in progress featuring all the dogs she’d had in her life. She was still getting the fifth—her current senior dog—filled in.

“You don’t think he chose me randomly?” I asked.

“It’s possible. I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t some obvious connection we were overlooking. I’m gonna assume you also don’t have any ex-boyfriends that fit this guy’s descriptions? Any old acquaintances that have something against you?”

“But the message was for you.”

“True,” he agreed, nodding. “Just covering all bases here.”

“No, I don’t… no.”

“Oh, come on. Surely it needs more thought than that. You gotta have a whole trail of heartbroken guys in your past.”

“I… no. Nope. And I would have recognized the voice.”

“Right.”

“Shouldn’t I be talking to the police?”

“You can, sure,” he agreed.

“You’re not going to talk to the police?”

“No, I’m not. Unless they need to talk to me after you give a statement.”

“Why not?”

“Are you from this area, honey?” he asked.

“Navesink Bank? No. I mean, not originally, no.”

“Where are you from?” he asked, interest piqued again.

“Pennsylvania. On the Ohio border.”

“Think the guys around here call that Pennsatucky,” Sully said with a little grin.

“Are you from here?”

“I’m from… all over,” Sully said. “My old man traveled for work a lot. How long have you been in town?”

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