Page 14 of Colton's Second Chance
Heat stung her cheeks, and she flashed a grin of appreciation. “Um, thank you. I wasn’t sure these slacks were classy enough for this place, but since the only other dressy clothes I brought was a black dress for the funeral, I didn’t have much choice.”
He gave her an odd look, then a forced smile before returning to his chair.
“What?” she asked.
“Whatwhat?” he returned, lifting an eyebrow.
“That funny look you just gave me. Something I said bothered you. What and why?”
He sighed. “Your comment about bringing a black dress. It just…” He made a weary buzzing sound with his lips. “I’ve been immersed in crime scene photos this afternoon and—”
She gasped. “Oh, that’s right! You said the victims were all dressed in black dresses.”
His brow creased. “Did I tell you that?”
She put her napkin in her lap. “Didn’t you? Or did I read that in a write-up online?” She seized the opening. “I know the coroner’s report I received said Allison was in a black dress. But the other victims were wearing similar dresses, too, weren’t they? Isn’t that one of the details that links the victims?” She gave him a level stare. “Am I right?”
His hand was resting on the table, and he tapped an index finger, a clear indication of his agitation. Which meant she was right. She sat back in her chair and tried not to look self-satisfied that she had been correct.
“Yes,” he said, his tone flat. “You’re right.”
“It seemed a logical assumption. If the killer went to the trouble of dressing Allison in a little black dress, and the press reported he’s putting fake engagement rings on all of them, it wasn’t a stretch to guess they’d be dressed similarly.”
Eli only grunted in acknowledgment of her assertion.
The waiter arrived, delivering glasses of water and a basket of rolls, then asked for their drink order. Once the waiter left, Eli inquired about Noelle’s day.
“It was depressing. But don’t change the subject. We’re supposed to be talking about the progress of investigation.”
“Now, wait a minute. You can’t tell me your day was depressing and expect me to brush over that. What happened?”
She rolled her eyes. “Funeral arrangements. Probate issues. My aunt and uncle have already filed a lawsuit to prevent me from inheriting anything, and I’m anticipating further interference with custody of her remains. So, nothing I want to talk about any further, because it will spoil my appetite.”
“And discussing the details of a serial killer’s modus operandi and forensic evidence won’t?”
“Well, discussing the case over a meal wasn’t my first choice.” Noelle gave him a pointed look. “I wanted to talk in your office or Scott Montgomery’s. Dinner was my backup plan.”
“I’ll give you that one.” Eli’s attention was fully focused on her, and he gave her a half smile. “You haven’t changed a bit since college. You’re just as beautiful, just as dogged, just as decisive as I remember.”
Noelle blinked and gave an awkward chuckle. “If not for the beautiful part, I’m not sure I’d take that as a compliment.”
“Definitely meant as a compliment. You knew your mind and were fiercely independent and self-assured, and I see no evidence that’s changed. I remember you taking on the administration regarding the distribution of leftovers from the dining hall to food banks and the homeless. You didn’t give up until changes were made. I was so proud of you fighting for a cause you believed in.”
She shrugged. “If you give up easily, is it really a core belief or just a passing fancy?”
“You’re right. And I remember how glad I was that the administration finally listened to your concerns, because I did not want to see you chain yourself to the dining hall doors and risk arrest. How would it have looked for me, pursuing a career in law enforcement, to have been dating someone arrested for trespassing and disturbing the peace?”
She frowned. “Would that have mattered to you? Was I supposed to abandon my cause to keep from embarrassing you?”
He shook his head, his smile fading. “Not at all. I was teasing. I never wanted you to change anything about yourself for me.” His expression grew more serious. “Which is why I never understood why you ended things with me. All you ever said was that you could never be what I needed or wanted. That we were too different. But I never asked you to be anyone but yourself.”
Noelle’s heart tripped, and her palms grew clammy. “Please, let’s not rehash our breakup. That’s hardly pleasant dinner conversation, either.”
“Don’t I deserve to understand why you cut me out of your life? We had something good. No, somethinggreat. And then it was just…gone in an instant.”
Noelle took a moment, staring down at the starched white tablecloth. “You do deserve to understand. So I will try to explain it before I leave town.”
“Good.”
