Page 42 of Save Her Life

“Nothing noticeable,” the barista said.

Then he was likely from around here, but that certainly didn’t narrow things down.

“Ladies.” A woman in her late thirties walked to the front, clearly the one in charge here.

Sandra was ready with her badge. “FBI, ma’am. I just had some questions for them. Are you the manager, Charlene?”

“I am, and I’d be fine with them talking to you if it wasn’t for the line forming behind you.” She raised her eyebrows and pointed.

Sandra turned, and as she did, she made the briefest eye contact with Eric. He gave her a pressed-lip smile. He’d poked her shoulder earlier to alert her to waiting customers. The woman directly behind them rolled her eyes. Facing the manager again, Sandra said, “Could we talk with you in your office?”

“Certainly. Follow me.”

Sandra and Eric were led to an office in the back of the store. The space was compact but organized and tidy. Charlene took a seat behind the desk and leaned forward. “I’d offer you a seat, but as you can see…” She opened her arms to indicate the lack of any other chairs in the room.

“Not a problem,” Sandra said, “but thank you for thinking of us. We need to see some video footage from earlier today.”

“Yeah, well, I’m going to need more than that. Our entire corporate mission statement is about protecting people’s rights.”

Sandra had a feeling they might run into this issue. “I’ll get you a warrant.”

“You’ll need to, otherwise this will never fly with corporate.”

Sandra could relate. She had to watch her steps with her job to make sure the FBI didn’t face backlash. “We’ll get you one and come back.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t just handle this for you, but if we don’t stand up for others, who will?”

What about standing up for victims?But Sandra didn’t respond. Instead, she led the way from the room and headedto the barista. She was frothing milk, and the woman who had rolled her eyes at Sandra was standing there waiting along with a few other people. “Excuse me,” Sandra said to get the barista’s attention.

She stopped what she was doing and looked up at Sandra.

“Just one more question. Did you happen to notice if that man left after Olivia?” If she could confirm that it would go toward supporting a warrant request. Right now, they had a suspicion and a probability.

“I saw Liv leave and, come to think of it, I don’t think he was far behind her. She was just out the door when he popped up.”

“Good memory,” Eric put in.

“It helps with the job.” The barista smiled.

“I bet. Did you notice if he followed her down the sidewalk?” she asked.

“I’m going to be here all night,” the customer mumbled.

Sandra turned to her. “FBI, ma’am, but we’re almost done here.”

The woman didn’t say anything, but her cheeks flushed.

The barista was shaking her head at Sandra. “Sorry.”

“Okay, thank you, and here”—Sandra pulled out a ten-dollar bill from her pocket and handed it to the woman—“your next coffee’s on me.”

The woman glanced down at the bill in her palm and smiled. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Sandra left the store with Eric.

“Not sure if that statement is going to help with getting a warrant approved,” he told her.

“I have to try.” She pulled her phone and called a judge who she knew and had worked with for years. Nigel Morse had started out as a friend of a friend back when she was attending George Washington University. They’d stayed in touch over the years, and he often extended her leeway. The number she wascalling was his personal cell phone. When he answered, she got to the point. Their friendship didn’t trump the man’s desire for succinctness. “It’s Sandra. I need warrant approval for video footage.”

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