Page 14 of The One I Love

“It’s old, you know, like the ones you restore, like the cars people display at those car shows you like to go to.” June’s voice quivered. “Heck, you might even know the owner of this car.”

“You’re right. This may be the break we’ve been hoping for.” Gary’s gaze never left her face, and she could see she had his full attention. “Tell me the specifics.”

“You probably can visualize it, but just in case.” June reached into her purse and pulled out her printouts. “This is a 1959 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe. The taillights are exactly the ones that Anson recalled seeing.”

Gary barely glanced at the pictures, confirming he knew vintage cars inside and out. “Why is he just now coming forward with this information?”

“He didn’t think he had any valuable information to share.” June wished Gary would show a little more enthusiasm. “There can’t be that many cars like this in Colorado.”

“No,” he agreed. “Not many. Did he see the color?”

June shook her head. “Just the taillights.”

“You realize this person could have had nothing to do with the accident—”

“That’s what Anson said, but, Gary, I feel it in my bones that this is the break we’ve been hoping for.”

“The person driving it may no longer own the vehicle, or someone other than the owner could have been driving it.”

“I realize that, but I think it’s worth investigating.”

When the detective said nothing, only lifted one of the photos and studied it, June shifted uneasily in her seat. “You will check this out, right?”

“I will,” he promised. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“They are already up.” She smiled. “You wait and see. We’re finally going to know who killed Aubrey.”

* * *

Gary waited until June had driven off before striding into his garage. He tried to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

The just-waxed blue paint of his fully restored 1959 Impala Sport Coupe glistened in the overhead fluorescent lights.

Pulling open the door, Gary sat behind the wheel to figure out his next step.

* * *

The rich wood and hushed elegance of the Denver Country Club wrapped around June as she hurried down the hall toward the dining room. Cameron’s grandmother had invited her to lunch today, and she’d found herself excited by the prospect of renewing the friendship they’d forged last year.

Her side trip to see Gary had been worth being a few minutes late for lunch. He hadn’t reacted with as much enthusiasm as she’d imagined. Then again, he likely didn’t want to get her hopes up.

In her summer dress and heels, June approached the hostess stand.

“Good afternoon. I’m meeting Halcion Driskill for lunch.”

The woman smiled pleasantly. “Mrs. Driskill is already seated. Let me take you to her.”

June followed the woman to a table near a group of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Hal’s lips widened in a smile the second she saw June. She rose and opened her arms for a hug. “June. How lovely to see you. Thank you for meeting me.”

The hostess waited for June to step back from the hug before pulling out June’s chair and placing a napkin in her lap after she was seated. “Enjoy your lunch.”

“Thank you.” June flashed the woman a brilliant smile.

“You seem in a fine mood today.” Hal took a sip of water and studied June.

“I am.” Though June knew it was poor manners, she couldn’t stop from leaning forward. “We’ve had a break in my sister’s case.”

---