Page 31 of Lenkov

Chapter Five

Rylee

“You’re a hard woman to reach, Mrs. Pauslon.” I don’t like the tow-haired officer with the close-cropped hair, tan skin, and bulky frame. There’s no compassion in the depths of his blue eyes or the sharp white smile that makes me think of a predator. I shift in my seat and straighten, remembering Lenk’s coaching. They can smell fear.

“If you recall in your notes, I’ve been recovering from a severe concussion.”

“Huh. I’m just wondering how that happened. I don’t remember witnesses reporting you falling.”

“Have you ever run from bullets flying in pure terror, Officer Matthews? It makes for clumsy feet as the adrenaline surges and wanes. I tripped on the uneven sidewalk some distance from the restaurant.”

“Is that right?” He inclines his head.

“Yes.”

“Then how were you able to contact Mr. Orlov?”

“I wasn’t knocked unconscious. I was just severely slowed down. That’s what it means to have a moderate concussion.”

“Well, you did your homework at least,” he mutters.

“Excuse me?”

“I said that lines up with what I know about that particular injury, ma’am.”

His aggressive behavior makes me nervous. “It wouldn’t have been wise to give a statement while I was compromised, would it?”

“No, ma’am, it wouldn’t.” He shakes his head.

Tense, I watch him, unsure what game he’s playing. Is this because I’m connected to Lenkov, a case of prejudice because my skin tone dips into the brown spectrum, or a round of good cop, bad cop?

“Now, this woman. She wasn’t a regular?”

“I don’t remember seeing her. But she might have been coming during the morning shift.” I shrug.

“And she just went off and tried to attack you for no reason?”

“As far as I can tell.” I frown as I remember her sunken eyes and waning color. “She looked tired and worn. Maybe she was coming down off something?”

“And the men who took her from her seat. Who were they?” Officer Matthews looks up from his notepad.

“Concerned citizens who were walking by, as far as I can tell. I’d never seen them before, but I would not look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Huh. That’s convenient.” He chuckles.

“Some would call it a blessing or good karma.”

“I don’t much believe in all that, ma’am.”

“Funny. The description others gave seems to match the Orlov you’re shacking up with.”

“Life’s strange that way, isn’t it?”

“Uh-huh. You’re aware that The Diner has no surveillance cameras.”

“I am. We never felt we needed it. The neighborhood is friendly, and we operate on a system of trust among the workers.”

“I’d say that’s going to change.” He grins evilly. “Anything you can tell us about the car?”

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