Page 156 of The Chase
“You being here and not on a roof.” I peered at him through one eye.
“Roof?”
“Which I am so happy about. You don’t even know.”
“How much have you had?”
“Of heartbreak?”
“To drink? What did you have?”
“Some magical concoction that helps me see clearly.”
“Are you upset I didn’t invite you?”
“No, I’m busy at work.”
“You’re working now?”
Shit.
He gave a comforting smile and said, “We’re moving at light speed. We have something special. I don’t want to scare you off.”
I gave a thin smile.
“Zara, please.”
“It’s been a difficult week.” I waved my hand to let him know I didn’t mean him.
“What happened?”
“I’ve always loved art. It’s my first love.Before you—” I stared at him aghast. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Say what?” He grinned.
All that stuff about murder and stealing was breaking my heart. “The world is screwed up.”
“You’re worried aboutSt Joan? I know it’s been on your mind a lot.”
“When that stuff comes out about my painting resurfacing—”
“St. Joan’s not coming back.”
His friends were shouting over at him to come back.
“Come join us,” he said.
“How do you know? AboutSt. Joan?”
“A theory.”
Theory...
All I could think about was that scared little girl climbing down a tree to get away from that house fire.
I couldn’t let her name go unsaid, “Do you know the name Sarah Louise Ramirez?”
His frown deepened, proving I was embarrassing myself.
