Page 40 of The White Picket Fence

“I have one of those, but thank you anyway.” Her therapist was going to have a field day with all of this. She’d almost convinced Charlotte that there was nothing to fear.

Hahaha.

Vito smiled. “Okay. I’ll give Tino the therapist’s name in case you change your mind. Now, next question. How did he know you were back in town? You never told anyone in Memphis where you were going and you’ve done a very good job at covering your tracks. I had a hard time getting through the company you set up for your condo purchase, and I tried very hard.”

“At least I did something right.”

“You’ve done a lot of things right,” Tino said loyally.

Charlotte patted his hand. “And you’re being kind. I don’t know how he knew I was back in town. Could it have been a chance passing on the street?”

“Always a possibility,” Vito allowed. “But you eat out a lot, right?”

“For my job, yes. But I don’t review restaurants in Philly. I eat out here only if I’ve eaten at Dottie’s. If I’m not at Dottie’s, I cook at home.”

Vito tapped his tablet and turned it so she could see the screen. “Ever eat at any of these places?”

Charlotte scanned the list. “Only one. The sushi place. Why?”

“When?” Vito pressed.

Mentally she counted days. “Ten days ago. It was on Saturday night. I’d taken Dottie to the annual flower show and then we watched reruns on TV until she fell asleep. I was famished, and I’d heard good things about the place, so I went. Why?”

“Did you eat in or take out?”

“Ate in.” She scowled at him. “Why?”

“Because Kevin Hale worked there until ten days ago.”

Tino visibly startled. “How do you know that?”

“When you called me and told me Hale’s name, I called the warden where he served his time. He said that Kevin had said that he gotten a job at this sushi restaurant. I went there to speak to the owner before I came here,” Vito explained. “Hale was a waiter, but he got fired after walking out of the Saturday night rush. Offered no explanation. Just walked out.”

Bile rose to burn Charlotte’s throat. “He saw me there.”

“I think so,” Vito said. “Breathe, Charlotte. You’re looking awfully pale.”

Beside her, Tino took her hand and squeezed. “We’ll figure this out,” he promised.

She wanted so much to believe him. “Two people are dead and two others are in critical condition because I wanted sushi.”

Vito shook his head patiently. “No. It’s because Kevin Hale is mentally ill.”

Her eyes widened. “Clinically?”

“Yep. The warden said he was a sociopath who struggled with delusions while he was serving his sentence. The warden also said he was a loner except for the guy he shared a cell with. I’m going to see the cellmate myself tomorrow.”

“I want to go,” Tino said.

Vito shook his head. “Don’t ask me, Tino.”

“I’m asking. I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked me to do. I’ve listened to victims recount their worst nightmares time and time again so that they could get justice. I’ve helped your department so many times. Now I’m asking you for a favor. Take me with you.”

Vito sighed. “I’ll think about it, okay?”

Tino shook his head stubbornly. “No. Not okay. I’m going. And if you tell me no, I’ll figure out how to go myself.”

Vito closed his eyes briefly. “Tino.”

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