Page 127 of In Cold Blood

Trinity was cupping a hand over a cigarette when he approached. She blew out smoke and glanced off to her right then looked back again as if she’d seen a ghost. She picked up her pace but her heels were challenging to walk in.

“You’re not in trouble. I just need to talk.”

She slowed her pace before turning.

“A moment of your time. That’s all.”

Trinity sighed. She nodded and led him toward her suite which was accessible from the outside. All the suites were on ground level. She swiped a key and entered, flipped a light on, and tossed her bag onto a white duvet. The room was spacious, and clean, with sleek, modern furnishings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls had a calm shade and were sporting abstract artwork, giving the space a contemporary and sophisticated feel. Certainly not what he expected her to be staying in. The queen-sized bed was made with crisp white linens and fluffy pillows.

“I believe these are yours,” he said, handing her the mail.

She scoffed. “Should have known.”

“She cares.”

“Not enough to keep her mouth shut.”

Noah surveyed the room. It was equipped with the latestamenities, a flat-screen TV, and a fully stocked minibar. The bathroom had gleaming black marble countertops, a walk-in shower, and premium toiletries. Trinity opened the sliding doors to a small balcony that provided a picturesque view of the town, then returned and sat on the edge of the bed, twitching.

“So, you work for the restaurant?”

“A few times a week.”

“And this place?”

“Temporary. I have an agreement with the owner.”

He nodded but didn’t probe on what kind of agreement. She didn’t look him in the eye. She bit down on the corner of her lip, glancing up a few times.

“Friday, June the third. What were you doing out there?”

“What do you think?” She took a breath and released it, then reached into her bag and took out a pack of Marlboro Lights and lit one. He knew the place was nonsmoking, but she didn’t seem to care. “Cops had moved me on from some of the regular spots I used to meet clients. I started using Route 73 because it was remote. You rarely get anyone out there. Especially the law. I would park at Chapel Pond Trailhead. It’s set back from the road. Close to the water. It offers enough privacy.”

Noah had seen it. He’d been up and down that road multiple times.

“And so?”

She shrugged. “I was with a client. He got a little too heavy-handed with me. I had to deal with it.”

He gave her a puzzled look. She reached into her handbag and tossed a canister on the bed. “Pepper spray. I don’t have to use it a lot but it’s gotten me out of a few sticky situations.”

“Smart woman. Go on.”

Trinity lifted her eyes, taken aback by his words as if she’d never been paid a compliment. “Anyway, I kicked his ass out of my truck and tore off heading southeast.”

“Do you remember the time?”

“I don’t know exactly. I remember I met the guy a little before midnight. We were there maybe ten minutes before I drove off.” She tapped ash into an empty coffee cup on the side table. “Then I saw it. The cruiser. The lights were on. I was going to turn around and go back but I did that once and was pulled over. Cops seem to watch for things like that. And at night. That late. I figured I would just drive on but…”

“You saw him.”

She nodded. Looking at Noah. “You are the spitting image.” She shook her head. Her hands trembled hard. He could see the emotion surface. A few tears welled in her eyes. Noah reached for a tissue and gave it to her. She thanked him and dabbed at the corners of her eyes.

“Was he dead when you reached him?”

“Yeah.”

“Was there anyone else around?”