Page 34 of Backdraft
"Sure it is?—"
"Hey, I see you didn't wait for me." Shannon nudged me from behind and raised her finger to the bartender.
"About time. Sit, sit," I told her and then looked at the guy whos name I still didn't know. "My friend is here." I hoped he’d take the hint.
He slowly stood, his eyes shifting between Shannon and me. Yeah, the sooner he's gone the better.
She looked at him with a smile and then dismissed him by seating herself and focusing on me.
"You're late." I lifted my glass and took a sip, giving her a look. Over her shoulder, I watched the guy walk away.
"I know, sorry. I got tied up. I was hoping to stay for another few days, but I actually have to go tomorrow. There’s another case, and it's a long drive. Flying will be too much of a headache because of all my crap I need to— Hey, what’s wrong? You haven't heard a word I said."
"I'm sorry. That guy just creeped me out. I'm glad you came when you did."
"What guy?" She looked over her shoulder. "Oh, him." She waved her hand. "He's harmless, a local firefighter."
"You know him?"
"No, but I've seen him around." She pulled the cocktail napkin closer to her. "He's kind of a clinger-oner, but for some reason, he doesn't blend well with the crew but he tries."
I looked over at him and found he was watching me. What the hell?
I swiveled my gaze back to Shannon. "Oh, okay. So no need to worry about him then? Even though I feel like he’s stalking me?"
"No, but why would you think you need to worry about him?" she asked, took a drink, and then her mouth shaped like an O. "The notes, tires… I get it." She shook her head. "Why would he do anything like that? He's been here for a while, so we'd have seen signs of it before now. I’m confident he is not your guy. Did you get another one?"
"Why does anyone do anything? People can be deceptive. Anyway, that makes me feel a bit better. Sorta." I nodded. “And yeah, I did, and before you jump all over me, yes, the cops have it.”
"Good, and why only sorta?" She sipped from the straw of her fancy cocktail.
"Because that means he's ruled out.” I tipped my head in the dude’s direction. “Which means the culprit sending me notes is still out there." I picked up the menu.
"Ah, yeah, I get it. Just watch your back, huh? I don't want anything happening to you."
"You and me both." I lifted my glass, and we clinked.
We decided to get a few appetizers and split them since we couldn't decide on a dinner plate.
A conversation behind me drifted into my awareness when I heard Taylor's name. My ears perked up. I tried to listen and tune out all the other bar noise so I could hear what they were saying.
I leaned back on the barstool, hoping not to appear too obvious I was eavesdropping.
Taylor?
Yeah, was an ER doc. Good-looking guy too. I wonder if he's single?—
Chair legs scraping on the floor drowned out the next few words. I made a tsk sound and turned my head in order to hear better.
Someone died and he took blame. Killed…
My heart leapt out of my chest. What the hell.
No, nothing like that. It was?—
There were more bar noises, and chills ran down my spine. What happened to him? Why was he blamed, did he kill someone?
Changed to coroner.
