Page 37 of In Cold Blood

“I bet you do. Let me guess, you’re pulling in over a hundred grand a year, you get two months’ vacation and you only sleep alone when you want to. Luke told me all about your high-flying life as a State investigator.”

Noah laughed. “I think you’ve been watching one too many crime shows. It’s hours of boredom and minutes of sheer terror, the rest is a crap load of paperwork. I’m a glorified pen pusher. I envy you to be honest,” he said as he backed out.

“Me?”

“All that freedom. No one to answer to.”

“That’s what you deduced from my flea-infested chunk of rust on wheels?” Dax laughed. “So, how have you been doing?”

“I’ve seen better days.”

“Look, I’m really sorry about Luke. I was only talking with him a week ago.”

Noah nodded, focusing on the road as he pulled out onto NY-86. “So, where are we heading?”

“Saranac. I know a good breakfast place.”

“I figured you were a High Peaks man all the way.”

“I only step in that town when I need to, otherwise I give it a wide berth. Too many bad memories, too many bad…” He stopped short and glanced at Noah. It made him wonder what he’d seen and how the town had changed over the years. “Well let’s just say it’s not the old town you left behind.”

“That’s what I’ve heard.”

“Oh, by the way, who gave you my number?”

“Alicia.”

A smile formed. “Ah, I figured. I haven’t spoken with her in a while since she got that gig as a game warden. Keeps her busy at all hours of the day and night.”

Noah accelerated. “And what about yourself?”

“Me? I’ve bounced around the job scene. Right now I’m working at High Peaks Pub and Brewery. Cleaning dishes out back and helping with food prep but that’s only a few hours a week. I do some odd jobs around town, but, well, I don’t need much to live off. As long as I have fuel in the tank and food and water, I’m all good.” He took out a pack of smokes. “Do you mind?”

“Be my guest.”

Dax cracked the passenger side window and lit one. “What about yourself? I heard you followed through with the military. Marines, right?”

“Eight years.”

Noah focused on the road ahead that snaked north hedged in by a wall of green pines on both sides. A bright baby blue sky stretched out above them with a few puffy white clouds in the distance. They passed a logging truck, a vital part of the economy.

“I heard about you and Lena. Bumped into her a few monthsago. She showed up at the pub for lunch with some new fella. Aiden West. You know him?”

“The name is vaguely familiar.”

“He’s an outdoorsy type. Gives tours in the area and takes people on camping retreats. Not a bad guy. However, I didn’t take Lena for that kind of woman.”

“Nor me.”

She’d never been much of an outdoorswoman even though she’d grown up in the area.

“So, you been seeing anyone?”

“It’s only been two years since she left. Work has kept me busy.”

“Right. Well, I’m sure in time you will get back in the saddle again.” The conversation went quiet for a moment or two and Noah could tell he was about to ask him. Everyone did. “So why did you and Lena break up?”

“She was doing her thing; I was doing mine. I guess you could say we just grew apart. We’re still on speaking terms. Well, that is if I can get her to pick up her phone. Been calling her since I arrived. She’s not answering.”