Page 77 of Kiss of Deceit

We peered through the café window, the three bodies at the register catching my attention immediately. Their backs were turned toward us, and I stared at the two men who were wearing blue suits. Their long jackets were folded over their arms as they ordered. A woman was standing next to them, wearing long slacks with heeled black boots. Her coat was thick, and she had a pair of leather gloves in one hand.

“I’m guessing they aren’t locals here,” I muttered, noticing Adella and Riggs staring at them in shock.

“Definitely not from here,” Adella confirmed under her breath.

“Interns, maybe?”

Riggs answered my question with a shake of his head. “Only one bus of interns every year or two.”

Hallie handed them each a hot coffee in a to-go cup. “Maybe the FBI is finally getting involved because of the murders.”

Riggs glanced at me, a frown on his lips. “Harry would never call for help.”

“Why?” I tossed back. “These weren’t some accidental deaths. There is someone trying to terrorize this town. When things like this happen, things escalate.”

Their silence made my suspicions soar. What the hell was wrong with this town? Before I could voice my questions, the three strangers exited the café, striding past us without so much as a glance our way.

“Well, I guess I’ll find out if they’re here for the murders if they show up at the clinic to talk to Harry.” I pulled open the café door. “I need a large coffee to survive today.”

“You and Kole staying up late together?” Adella asked, her voice teasing. “He’s been coming into work tired. And I’ve noticed I’m on schedule for more night shifts than usual.”

My cheeks flushed, and I walked into the café without looking at her. “We’re just roommates, Adella. What Kole does in his spare time is his business.”

Riggs didn’t say a word when she giggled from behind me. Hallie gave me a bright smile, already moving to make my usual order. Kole was tired from spending time in my bed every night. We weren’t even having sex. He was letting me sleep. Blissful, uninterrupted sleep. When he was in bed with me, I wasn’t terrorized from my past.

Sure, the nightmares were still present, but not as often. For the first time in years, I slept longer than three hours. The last few days had been the best sleep I’d had ever since my attack. When the nightmares came, Kole chased them away with his soft touch. His gentle voice. In the morning, he never asked what was haunting me. He didn’t pry or question anything.

I was already growing accustomed to it. Which was a problem.

“Morning,” Hallie greeted us, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Who was that?” Adella asked as she pulled off her scarf.

Hallie’s smile faltered slightly. “I don’t know. Ordered coffee and that was it. They weren’t very friendly though.”

Adella’s gaze slid to me. “If they’re at the clinic, I expect a detailed report when you come to the bar tonight.”

I scoffed. “I’m not going to contribute to the rumor mill. If they’re here for official police business, I won’t be able to say anything anyway.”

“Fine. No more free drinks for you.” The twinkle in her eyes proved she was messing with me.

Hallie handed me my hot coffee, and I paid her before wandering closer to the window. I still had a half hour before I was supposed to meet Harry at the clinic but now wanted to get there early to see if the newcomers would be there.

“Looks like shift is about to start,” Hallie commented, as she looked out the window. “More than a few are going to be late. Half of them usually come in for coffee.”

I followed her gaze, watching the twenty or so men rush down the street. From what Harry told me, over two hundred men and women worked at the factory. It was almost half the town. It was what kept this place going, according to him.

A face caught my attention across the street, and I shifted to see past the crowd of men. The man seemed to be staring my way, leaning against the brick side wall of the grocery store, half covered in shadows. I narrowed my gaze, my heart beginning to race. His long brown hair made memories flash before my eyes, and I stumbled back a step. Shaking my head, I caught sight of him again, this time his vile smile pointed right at me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

dani

“No,”I croaked out in a tortured whisper. He was too far away to see anything else, but evil brown eyes and yellow teeth formed in my mind.

Something crashed to the floor, and I didn’t realize it was my coffee until the hot liquid splashed on my pants.

“Dani,” Adella gasped. “Are you okay?”