Page 37 of Raging Inferno

Dominic checked traffic before pulling away from the curb and onto the street. “We’ll head to the chief medical examiner’s office next.”

“It’s lunchtime, and I’m starving. Let’s grab something to eat before we visit her.”

“Sounds good.”

Dom stopped at a pub known for delicious sandwiches and a diverse beer list, though they wouldn’t be imbibing. It was located along the Lakewalk with views of the water. The restaurant was crowded, but they were seated in a booth that provided a modicum of privacy.

After the server took their drink order, Presley leaned forward.

“Something happened.”

Dom’s brows arched. “With Tamera? While I was gone?”

“No. Yes.” She shook her head. “Not today, but years ago.”

The server returned, placed their drinks on coasters, and then took their food orders. Presley chose a grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomato. Dom opted for the Philly Cheesesteak.

When the server left, Dom asked, “What do you mean?”

“There’s a reason Tamera, Jessie, and the others lost touch with each other.”

“People drift apart,” he rationalized.

“That’s what they said,” she mumbled. “And, yes, they do, but I don’t believe that’s what happened. For the most part, they stayed in the same small town. They were as close as sisters once. After Gwen’s death, they quit talking. There must be a reason.”

“Maybe it hit them hard. People react differently to death. Losing someone close to you can adjust your priorities.”

Dom thought about his wife and the guilt he’d felt when he’d found out Lainey had died. He wasn’t remorseful because she was gone, though he had loved her once. Their marriage had been good in the beginning. It was an overwhelming relief that Gia didn’t have to be around her mother anymore and listen to her criticisms. Lainey would have no more influence or control over their daughter. How sad was that? She was her mother.

The night she’d left, he’d found out the extent of Lainey’s treatment of Gia. He’d been livid but he worried that she might decide to come back and take Gia from him. Courts often sided with the mother.

“Death does rearrange your priorities,” Presley agreed, jarring him from his thoughts. “Believe me, I know. That’s not what happened here. I feel it in my gut. Something else in play. They were young. I thought Gwen’s death would’ve brought them closer instead of pushing them apart.”

“What do you think it was?”

She shook her head. “I have no idea, but I plan on prying it from one of them before I leave. There’s something else.”

“What is it?”

“Do you remember Jessie saying someone had asked about me?”

“Yeah, a guy named Andy researching his genealogy.”

“The same guy talked to Tamera.”

Dom nodded. “That makes sense if he was trying to learn more about you.”

“Don’t you think it’s odd that an unknown man goes around asking about me, and then the Cheerios start dying?”

“You think they’re connected somehow?”

Presley slumped back against the seat. “Honestly, I don’t know. I have no impetus to believe they’re related, but what if they are? Am I the reason they’re being killed?”

“We don’t know for sure their deaths aren’t accidental,” he cautioned her. “They’ve been ruled that way.”

“I don’t like it,” she grumbled.

The server returned with their sandwiches and they dug in. While they ate, Presley told him about her job and some people she worked with. He bragged about Gia and her accomplishments. Dom glanced at his plate, shocked to find it empty. He didn’t remember eating. The conversation had been titillating.

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