Page 60 of Nicole's Shelter

“Hero face. You put it on the first time when my face was plastered all over the news. You were wearing it yesterday when you left the interstate. And I might not have been able to actually see it, but it was in your voice when Doc stitched me up.”

“Huh.” He tried to grin, but whatever happened on his face, it only made her laugh. Still, laughter beat analysis every time in his book.

“So, hero. What’s the other thing you’re calculating?”

He might as well tell her and let her decide. “We choose a place and bring Clifton to you.”

“How? Should I send him an engraved invitation to tea?”

“You could. I was thinking we’d put some information out in the world and make him panic.”

“So he’ll make a mistake that will land him behind bars.”

Or dead. But he kept his preferred outcome to himself. “Do you know anything about the neighbor who was killed?”

“No.” She sighed, shifting restlessly as if she couldn’t get comfortable. “Well, not really. Is it normal to feel worse the day after being blown into a tree?”

“Always.”

“Goody.” Scooting around, she finally drew up her long legs and propped them on the dash. He could just imagine what Bart would say, but he wasn’t about to tell her no and interrupt a potential breakthrough.

“What do you remember about your neighbor?”

“About all I know is Mr. Chan was a nice guy. My friend mowed his front lawn, just because Mr. Chan knew he needed the job. He had one of those elaborate oriental gardens in the back yard. He gave out the good candy at Halloween. Full size candy bars. His huge tabby cat sat in the front window and watched us go to and from school every day.”

It was hard to imagine a man with that sort of neighborhood reputation crossing paths with Clifton, much less participating in criminal activity worthy of an execution. Of course, perception and reality often differed. “He lived alone? No wife or kids?”

“It was just him and the cat. He walked to and from work every day.”

“Wow. Where was work?”

“A little interior design shop in the village.”

He could almost hear the click of a real connection in his head. “Let me guess. He had some valuable antiques along with oriental rugs and more affordable pieces.”

“How could you know that?”

He chuckled. “It fits with the name and description you gave. An older man with experience in art and all that.”

“He wouldn’t do anything illegal,” she protested.

“Hey, ease up. I’m not accusing him of anything. There are a dozen scenarios that end with him at the wrong end of Clifton’s gun. We just have to figure out what you saw and what led up to it.”

Nicole fisted her hands on her knees and pounded lightly. “It would be nice if I could figure out what I’m seeing now.”

“Nothing to see but miles of trees separated by the road. We’ve got a long ways to go.”

She turned, staring at him, slack-jawed.

“What?”

“You always say ‘almost there’.”

“Huh. Never noticed. But considering I don’t know exactly where ‘there’ is…” he trailed off, hoping she’d volunteer an address. At least something more specific than Myrtle Beach.

“I’ll fill you in on the details when we’re closer.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve never been to this place?”

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