Page 49 of Critical Doubt

"I'm sure there's more you can give us," Savannah said, flashing her killer smile at Vic. "We're trying to help Todd. The police are looking into the circumstances of his disappearance, and, well, I'm sure you don't want to have to talk to them, do you? Wouldn't it be easier just to speak to us?"

Her Southern accent seemed especially thick now, and Ryker wasn't surprised to see Vic's attitude change. He appeared almost bemused, as if he didn't know what had hit him. Ryker knew that feeling well.

"We'd be so happy if you could help us," Savannah added. "We don't want to cause you any trouble, Vic."

"Look, I don't know anything," Vic said. "I made some bets for him. He lost. Our association ended."

"When did it end?" Ryker asked.

"About a week ago. We were supposed to meet. He didn't show up. I haven't seen him since. Judging by how many bets he lost, he might have just run out of cash."

"Did he ever talk to anyone else when he was in here?" Ryker enquired.

Vic hesitated. "He had an intense conversation with a guy named Hank a couple of weeks ago. I didn't recognize him."

"Did you overhear anything they were talking about?"

"I'm not sure. I think Hank wanted Todd to ghost some girl. Todd kept saying he wasn't ready. That's all I got. Now drink or leave. What's it going to be?"

As a cheer lit up the room at the end of a three-point play by the Atlanta Hawks, Ryker decided he'd rather leave. He tipped his head toward the door and Savannah nodded.

"Thanks so much, Vic," she said. "If you hear from Todd again, will you tell him that his friends are worried about him and to come home?"

"I don't expect I'll see him, but sure."

As Vic moved down the bar, Ryker headed for the door, letting out a breath of relief when they got outside. He actually felt a little victorious that he hadn't had another attack. But the cool night air was still welcome. It helped clear his head.

"Are you all right?" Savannah asked.

"Do you know how much I hate that question?"

"I'm guessing a lot."

"You'll know when I'm not okay. So, I'll drive. Are you comfortable with that?"

"I am."

"Good." As they started across the street, a car came racing around the corner on two wheels, heading straight for them. He gave Savannah a hard push, sending her flying into the space between two cars and then he leapt out of the way as the car sped past them. "Stay down," he told Savannah, putting a hand on her shoulder as she started to get up. He looked down the street, but the car was gone.

An older man came running across the street to ask if they were all right.

And for the second time in less than a minute, he had to say he was fine, as he and Savannah got to their feet.

"That car almost hit you," the man said. "He was driving like a maniac."

"You didn't happen to get a license plate, did you?" he asked.

"No, sorry, it was too dark. You should call the police."

"We'll do that. Thanks." He took Savannah's hand and they hurried down the block to his rental car. Once inside, he flipped the locks and gave himself a second to really look at her. Her eyes were wide and bright in the shadowy light, but he didn't see any new injuries.

"I think you saved my life—again," she said.

"That car was out of control. Maybe they were drunk."

She stared back at him, her gaze serious. "They weren't drunk, and they weren't out of control. We need to get out of here, Ryker. You need to drive. Now."

Her tone got him moving. He started the car and drove down the street, keeping an eye behind them. "Where do you want to go?"