Page 14 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

“It’s the only working theory we have for now. I’m just grateful that Brook is bringing Nathaniel on board. If she can persuade him that there is sufficient evidence pointing to Mitch Norona’s involvement, Nathaniel can finally present a warrant to Judge Colletti. Bit can then investigate Norona’s finances. Nathaniel could collect DNA samples to compare with anything they might discover during today’s recovery mission. And who knows, maybe a search of his home back in Baltimore could link him to Jacob and their time in Alaska.”

Theo led the way to the front entrance of the diner, but the sound of Sylvie’s phone chiming once more brought her up short. She couldn’t go an entire day avoiding Derek’s call.

“Would you mind getting us a booth? I need to take care of something. It won’t take long.”

Theo nodded without hesitation. She figured he was aware of who was trying to reach her so early in the morning, especially after their conversation with Graham last night. Anyone dear to them could be in danger, and that was a threat that needed to be taken seriously.

“Hi,” Sylvie greeted softly after accepting the call. She monitored Theo as he entered the diner, his absence leaving her standing alone in front of the display window. Facing the street, she noticed the dense forest in the distance. Brook would be hiking in similar terrain later this morning, hoping to locate Lusa Kalluk’s remains. “I assume you got my message.”

“Is there anything you need from me?” Derek asked, his voice gentle and laced with sympathy. “Anything at all?”

“Listen, Derek, seeing as we only met twice for coffee, I doubt that you need to worry about?—”

“You wouldn’t have felt the need to warn me that my life could be in danger if it was only about coffee.” Derek’s sigh was audible, but it was the most patient exhale she had ever heard. “Truthfully, I’d love to raise the stakes by having dinner with you upon your return. Damn. That came out wrong, and I didn’t mean to minimize?—”

“It’s okay. Really,” Sylvie said as she heard the rumble of an engine. It wasn’t long before a Subaru Outback drove slowly past the diner. An older woman was behind the wheel and met Sylvie’s gaze with genuine curiosity. A stranger standing in front of a local diner was bound to spark some chatter, reinforcing the assumption that someone inside must have encountered Jacob at some point years ago. “I understood what you meant, and…”

Sylvie had intentionally been taking things slow with Derek. Regardless of Bit’s opinion, Derek Haze was way out of her league. He moved in different social circles, and his wealth far exceeded what her father had built and subsequently burned to the ground before his death. Plus, she wasn’t even certain that he liked cats. Somehow, pets hadn’t come up in their conversations.

“Do you like cats?”

“Cats, dogs, and even guinea pigs,” Derek listed, unfazed by her sudden question. “The list goes on, and I'd be happy to share that curated list with you over dinner.”

“Okay,” Sylvie replied with her first smile in twenty-four hours. “Dinner. I’ll let you know when I’m back in town.”

“Please do,” Derek said before following up with something about a grocery run. She had to be mistaken. “Also, you?—”

“Wait,” Sylvie directed as she continued to observe the Subaru Outback fade from view. “Did you say you are cooking me dinner?”

“It pains me that you think so little of my capabilities, Miss Deering.”

Sylvie couldn’t prevent her smile from widening, and her chest finally filled with something other than grief.

“I’ll touch base with you soon, Mr. Haze.”

Sylvie disconnected the call before he could say anything else. He had been on the verge of telling her to be careful, and she didn’t want to be distracted by his concern. She would take their newfound friendship one day at a time. Kate would be the first to advise her not to mess things up.

Slipping her phone into the back pocket of her jeans, she turned toward the front entrance of the diner. The moment she opened the door, the enticing aroma of bacon and grease filled her senses. There was no low hum of conversation, which wasn’t surprising at all. Although there weren’t many vehicles parked out front, those dining in the establishment didn’t bother to hide their interest in two strangers who stuck out like sore thumbs.

Theo occupied the booth immediately to her left, directly in front of the display window. The red leather seats were cracked from years of use. A cup of hot coffee sat in front of him, and she could only assume that he had already ordered her a cup of English Breakfast tea.

“I feel like I should whisper,” Sylvie murmured as she moved the silverware off the white napkin. She then opened the folded flimsy material and smoothed it over her lap.

“Must be my eye patch,” Theo quipped as he reached for his coffee. “The middle guy at the counter. Do you recognize him?”

“Bit and I saw him at the convenience store yesterday.”

Three older men sat on red leather, backless stools at the long counter. Two were still eating, while the other was finishing his coffee.The waitress, whose name was Beth according to her nametag, approached the table with a practiced smile. By the time she set a cup of tea in front of Sylvie, it was clear her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Thank you,” Sylvie murmured as she reached for her spoon.

“What can I get the two of you this morning?”

“I’ll have today’s special,” Theo said, glancing at Sylvie. She nodded in agreement, indicating she would have the same, and he made sure the waitress doubled the order. Sylvie noticed that his billfold, which held his credentials, was on the table. She wasn’t surprised when he held it up and presented it to Beth. “We were also curious if you know Mekhi Hale. He wasn’t very welcoming or open to a conversation yesterday. We have a few questions about someone who assisted him with his fishing charters back in 2014 and 2015.”

Sylvie found it very interesting when the man who had been finishing his coffee abruptly set the mug on the counter. He mumbled a few words to the other men before standing and pulling his wallet from his pocket. Taking out what looked to be a twenty-dollar bill, he tossed it on the counter.

“I wouldn't know anything about that,” Beth replied, her voice steady but clipped. She once again forced a smile. “Two morning specials, coming up.”

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