Page 139 of Head Room

“Why?”

“Don’t know about the library, but he wanted to date the woman.Name of Kam.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

After Tom droppedme at the station parking lot, I got in my SUV and started praying.

I’d already made my decision to try the library first.If at all possible, I hoped for more information before I talked to Kam Droemi again.

First, I prayed that Nance had, in fact, gone to the library.That he hadn’t changed his mind, decided somewhere else would suit his needs better, procrastinated so long that he died before he got there.

Second, I prayed that the driving gods who so thoroughly blessed Diana would look kindly on me for this trip, because I was pushing Diana-like speeds.

Mom and Dad would arrive any time.

Luck was with me.The SUV and I arrived at the Cottonwood County library building intact.And Ivy Short was behind the main desk when I entered.Also, she was the sole staff member there and no other patrons were within earshot.

“Ivy, I need you to tell me if you know anything, anything at all about what a patron did here at the library.Yes—” I held up a hand to stop her protest.“—I know it’s against policy.But he’s dead, Ivy.You heard about the body found at Frank Jardos’ cabin after the fire there.”

“Frank—”

“No.It wasn’t Frank.I can’t give you details now, but it absolutely was not Frank Jardos and it was Ron Sam Preet, known as Nance.It’s not official yet, but I swear it’s true.And I need to know as much as you can tell me about what Nance did here at the library.”

“Elizabeth—”

“Ivy, what you know and what you tell me could make all the difference between justice being done and a major miscarriage of justice.”

Hey, it was a wedding emergency, with my parents arriving in— no, I would not look at the clock, I would not do the math.

“I don’t know much and—”

“Anything.”

“—itisagainst policy.But I know you wouldn’t abuse my trust and—”

“Never.”

“—it’s so little I don’t know how it can hurt.He came here to use the Internet to look up things about the Wyoming Secretary of State and registered agents for businesses.”

I would have kissed her, if the counter between us wasn’t too wide to prevent that without unbecoming — to both of us — gymnastics.

****

As I joggedout of the library, my phone rang.

“We’re here,” Mom announced gaily.

“In town—?”

“At your house.Everybody’s here — Tom and Dad are grilling and Tamantha and I are making a salad — everybody but you.”

I stopped.

But not for long.

Maybe if I knew more, were closer to answers...Maybe if it weren’t my family, my wedding...

“I’m on my way, Mom.”