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“Okay...” Kim exhaled. “Yes, of course. I will do my best to answer them.”

“I would prefer to meet in person. I can come to you now if that’s okay.”

Kim could just ask her to the office. She should definitely tell her that. But it was late, and she was tired, hungry, andfeeling strangely alone. With all that, she found herself issuing a shocking invitation.

“There is a place downtown called G4GIRL. Can you meet me there?”

It was Miller’s turn to hesitate. Only briefly, to be said, but enough for Kim to understand that she must know the place. She shivered with a sudden rush of adrenaline but just managed not to gasp in reaction.

“Alright,” Miller said. “I can be there in twenty minutes.”

“That’s perfect.” Kim swallowed, fighting a slight tremor in her right hand.Just stress,she told herself.Steady up.

???

Cody realized it was a first for her, meeting in a lesbian bar with a…What?she wondered. Potential witness? Suspect? Informant? Throughout the day, as she conducted her investigation, all these terms did apply at some point or other. At least, she no longer considered Kim Reed a suspect in the case. Which made it okay and above board, she told herself, to meet her here on a Friday evening. She caught sight of the woman as soon as she walked in. Taken aback once again by the sheer power of her presence, just like the previous night when she had first laid eyes on her, she stopped for a moment to observe. Reed had selected one of the booths at the back of the room. Good choice, Cody thought, as they would need some privacy to discuss abduction and murder topics. Dressed in an emerald-green skirt, matching heels, and a fitted blazer, Reed sat with her elegant legs crossed and a glass of white wine in front of her. She appeared rather lost in thought as she gazed across the rest of the room, not looking at anything or anyone in particular. Detached. Remote. Very beautiful. Cody noticed that she attracted plenty of looks and interested glances from themany women here tonight. A tall one in jeans and a black leather jacket, butch as they come, finally worked up the nerve to go and chat with her. Sliding onto the opposite couch seat without even asking, she leaned with her elbows on the table and flashed the kind of smile that would make plenty of women swoon. Cody was both interested and amused to see that Reed seemed totally unaffected by it. Though too far to hear what she said to the woman over the music, it was enough to make her potential suitor nod, smile again, and move away swiftly. Reed handled herself with the ease and confidence of a woman used to being in this kind of place. Cody also experienced a startling sense of satisfaction at her seeming lack of interest in the other woman.Steady up. Don’t forget this is work, not a personal date!But her resolve not to feel anything faltered as soon as the lawyer zeroed in on her from across the room. Reed’s previously blank stare lit up. Those dark amber eyes fired in recognition and a puzzling flash of heat. Again!For me?Cody could not help but wonder. Such sizzling intensity, she reflected, was attractive and hard not to respond to. She made her way to the booth, oblivious to the many admiring glances she drew as well.

“Detective.”

“Ms. Reed.”

“Any news?”

For sure, Reed did not beat around the bush. As she joined her at the table and slid across from her on the wide seat, Cody noticed that she looked intense, at once hopeful and anxious in equal measures.

“I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “Not yet.”

“Maybe that’s good.”

“In what sense?”

“Perhaps I did not interpret the vision correctly.” Reed bit nervously on her bottom lip as she contemplated the possibility. “I was so sure, and it felt so real! But, you know… Maybe.”

Cody was tempted to rest a hand over hers in reassurance, but she held back. Instead, she gave her a blow-by-blow account of her investigation.

“The husband doesn’t have a criminal record. I—”

“Are you sure?” Reed blinked in astonishment. “It seems a little hard to believe.”

“Maybe, but it is true.” Cody nodded. “I spoke to him and got a detailed account of his activities since the last time you saw Cassie. Everything seems to check out.”

“Right.” Reed digested the information. “That’s… good.”

“I visited Cassie’s place of work as well and spoke to her colleagues. I ran background checks on every single one, and did not find any red flags there either. I don’t think she had much of a social life outside of work, is that correct?”

“Yes. Her husband would not allow it.”

chapter 8

“He told me Cassie has mental health issues.” Cody reminded herself to speak in the present tense about the woman. At this time, Cassie Winters’ whereabouts were not known. This made her a missing person, not a dead one. “Can you confirm or deny this?”

Reed’s golden-brown eyes flashed again, this time in fury.

“No, she does not have mental health issues. The only thing Cassie suffered from was an abusive asshole of a husband. Of course, he would tell you otherwise! She was terrified of him, Detective, but also lucid and smart enough to realize that it was time, finally, to break free of the relationship.” She slapped an open palm on the table. “And take action on it despite her fear, for God’s sake! In my opinion, this makes her wise. And brave. Not crazy. Jesus!”

She drained the rest of her wine as she finished the rant and stared hard as if daring her to object. Cody had no intention or desire to do so.

“I agree with you, Ms. Reed,” she answered in a calm voice. “You’re preaching to the choir here.”