Page 28 of Shadowed Witness (The Secrets of Kincaid #2)

Allye dropped her glass. Sweet tea and ice cubes sloshed across the table, spilling into her mom’s lap. Her mom sprang to her feet, whisking most of it away with her napkin before it could soak into her expensive cobalt suit.

“Oh no.” Allye grabbed the pile of napkins—already half soaked—and tried to head off the stream still dripping to the floor. The napkins helped, but they weren’t nearly enough. “Sorry. Sorry.” Why did she have to be so clumsy?

“It’s okay. No harm done.” Her mom blotted the remaining drops on her skirt, then added her napkin to Allye’s efforts. “I needed to have this suit cleaned anyway.”

The waiter appeared beside them, towel in hand. “Here, let me.”

They stepped back and allowed him to mop up the puddle on the table.

“I’m so sorry.”

“No problem. Would you like to move to the next table while we get this area cleaned up?” He gestured to an area behind him where their boxed pizza sat.

Allye’s cheeks burned as she took a seat at the new table. If they hadn’t already ordered dessert, she’d be tempted to toss a couple of twenties on the table and make a beeline for the door.

Her mom laughed, not seeming to share her embarrassment. “That wasn’t the reaction I expected you to have.”

Oh. That.

She wanted to deny the admission had anything to do with her clumsiness, but it had.

Twenty minutes ago, it wouldn’t have bothered her.

She’d have been happy for them. Now ...

now she was so confused. She tried to pull her thoughts together.

Her mom was still waiting for a response.

“I guess I didn’t realize you two were getting so serious. You really think he might propose?”

“I have no way of knowing for certain, but like I said, it wouldn’t shock me.”

“If he does, what will you say?”

Her mom either didn’t notice or pretended not to notice the slight edge to her voice. Her shoulders lifted in a graceful shrug. “I think I’d accept.”

Allye’s stomach bottomed out.

Her mom studied her, likely taking in the alarm that had to be splayed across her face.

“I’m lonely, Allye. When your dad first died, I had you and your brothers.

The last few years since you moved out, I’ve busied myself in church work and the housing market.

Now that things are slowing down, I’m beginning to notice how quiet the house is. ”

“I could visit more.” Allye knew as soon as the words left her mouth how oblivious she sounded. Game nights with the daughter weren’t a replacement for a husband.

Her mom reached across the table and patted her hand. “I’d love that, but I’m ready to move forward when he is.”

She swallowed. “Are you sure about him?”

“He’s a good friend. I’ve always thought highly of him. Your dad did too.”

So had Allye before all this started. Maybe she still should.

“Do you have a problem with Raymond?”

Yes. Maybe. She wasn’t sure. And she certainly couldn’t go into the details of her concerns without owning up to what she’d been facing lately. She wasn’t about to open that can of sardines right now, especially not in public.

The waiter deposited their tiramisu and a fresh glass of tea. Allye picked up a spoon, grateful to have something to occupy her hands. She stole a glance at her mom, who was still waiting for an answer to her question.

Allye sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve always looked up to him, thought he was good for this town. But ...” How did she say what she was thinking without giving too much away? “Do you think he’s changed lately?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. He just seems different.”

Mom took a bite and thought for a moment.

“Well, he has seemed a bit distracted. But like I mentioned earlier, the campaign has kept him busy. Running for state senator is much more involved than running for mayor in a small town. I think he thrives on the excitement and challenge, but it’s taken a toll on him too. I think it would on anyone.”

True enough. Allye dug her spoon into the tiramisu. “For the record, I’m not opposed to you getting married again if you choose to. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

Her mom gave her a sad smile. “I appreciate that. And ‘for the record,’ I’m not planning on getting hurt, but hurt is a part of life. Our family has seen more of that than most.” She blinked against a sheen of tears. “But I refuse to live in fear.”

Allye nodded, swallowing back her own tears. They finished off their tiramisu in companionable silence, but Allye hardly tasted the creamy dessert. She had a lot to process, and her headache had progressed from teasing to a boxing match.

The waiter returned with the check and exchanged it for the empty plate. “I’ll leave this for whenever you’re ready, but take your time.”

Allye reached for it, but her mom got to it first.

“I’ve got this one.” She placed several bills in the black book and handed it back to the waiter. “Keep the change.”

Allye took one last sip of her tea, and they rose to leave together. Once in the parking lot, Mom pulled her into a tight hug.

She returned it full force. As they pulled away, she couldn’t help whispering, “Do you love him?”

Mom met her gaze, a smile tugging at her lips. “Yes, I believe I do.”

As Allye climbed into her car, her thoughts whirled, and she wasn’t sure which to snatch for further examination. Her mom was in love with Mayor Jennings. Was that a good thing or a tragedy waiting to happen? Was he who everyone seemed to think he was? Was he involved in something nefarious?

Her head continued to pound. Maybe she’d misunderstood her conversation with him. She needed an objective person to talk to. She glanced at the clock. It was nearing ten. Too late to call Eric?

She didn’t want to chance waking him if he was asleep. But maybe she’d text when she got home.

IT HAD BEEN A LONG, frustrating day. Eric hadn’t slept well last night after scouring the internet for information on MS. He’d tried to keep his mind from constantly straying to Allye and her test, but it had been a struggle.

He’d almost texted her to ask how it had gone, but he doubted she had the results yet.

Instead, he’d thrown himself into his investigations, even returning to the station after dinner.

With nearly everyone else gone for the day, he’d finally hit a rhythm, his concentration only broken when he received Allye’s text asking if he had time to talk.

But he still had no new leads on any of his big cases.

The labs were backed up as usual, so there’d been no confirmation on the identification of the presumed drugs he’d collected from Ashley Harrison’s house.

Dion was still missing. Their John Doe had yet to be ID’d.

The forensic artist he’d hoped to contract to work with Allye was out of town until next Monday.

He resisted the urge to pound on his steering wheel. Investigations took time. He knew that. Usually, he was okay with it. But these cases were different. Some of them were connected—and people he cared about were in danger. He needed these cases wrapped up yesterday.

Allye’s street loomed ahead, and he flipped on his right turn signal.

Whatever had her unsettled probably could have been handled over the phone, but he sensed she needed a face-to-face, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want to see her, especially after what he’d discovered about MS last night.

He’d known the disease was bad. He hadn’t realized how debilitating it could be as it progressed.

Allye had said it could be something else, but he’d heard the resignation in her voice. She knew.

He wanted to be there for her as she faced this, but something inside him shrank back.

Was he really that shallow? No. Allye needed a friend to support her.

He could do that—would willingly do it. But he’d have to keep his feelings in check.

No matter what Bryce had said, he couldn’t allow their friendship to progress to more.

She deserved better than him and all his baggage.

With that depressing thought foremost in his mind, he parked on the street across from Allye’s house. She’d turned her porch light on to welcome him, and before he reached the door, Allye had it open. “I’m so sorry to keep bothering you.”

“You’re anything but a bother.” He eyed the shiny dead bolt on her door. “How’s the new lock?”

“Good, I guess. Only took Bryce a few minutes to install it this afternoon.” She made a face. “Had to dance around why I suddenly wanted one though.” She motioned him toward what was becoming his regular seat.

“Maybe you should just tell him.”

She sighed. “I almost did. Then he started talking about Corina and the baby. They’re finally settling into a normal life, and I don’t want to pull them into this.”

“I can guarantee you Bryce wouldn’t want you to risk your safety for his comfort.”

“Nothing’s happened in the last few days, and I have good locks now.” She frowned. “Don’t look at me like that. I’ll think about it, okay?”

Not quite okay, but he decided to let it drop for now. “Okay. So what’s going on?”

She started toward the seat beside him, then seemed to rethink her choice and dropped into the recliner instead. He almost wished she had joined him on the couch. The recliner was close, but the space it left between them felt like a barrier.

“Let me start off by saying, this may be nothing. But my head is muddled, and I need your perspective.”

He inclined his head, waiting for her to continue.

“I talked to Mayor Jennings tonight, and it was ... odd.” She paused as if searching for words, then blurted, “Something isn’t right.

He tried to discourage me from pursuing answers about the attacks, said I could be putting myself in danger unnecessarily if I’m mistaken about what I saw.

But I did see it. There’s evidence of that now. ”

Eric blinked. Why would the mayor try to discourage a witness? That didn’t make any sense. “Could he have gotten the impression that you were personally digging for answers? Because I would strongly discourage that too.”

“No. At least, I don’t think so. I was only telling him that there is evidence now and that I’m working with you to try to identify my attacker.”

“Perhaps he misunderstood.”

“I don’t see how. He seemed to be warning me against claiming I knew anything—like he was afraid I’d make myself a target and could get hurt because the murderer might think I could identify him when I really couldn’t.”

Her words came out in rush, and Eric had to take a moment to untangle them.

He thought he knew what she was saying. “Okay,” he said slowly.

“Well, first off, I believe you witnessed the murder. Full stop. So your testimony isn’t an ‘unnecessary’ risk.

But he isn’t wrong about the danger. Drug dealers—which is what your attacker seems to be, based on the conversation you heard in the park—can be ruthless.

And if we’re correct, this guy has already murdered at least one man—with his bare hands.

That’s aside from the overdose deaths that this drug ring may or may not be responsible for. ”

Allye visibly swallowed. “I know. But isn’t that all the more reason to make sure he gets caught before anyone else dies?”

“Of course. I wasn’t saying you should cower from the danger, only that you should be aware of it.”

“And I am.”

“Good. You need to watch your back until this guy is caught and we have everything figured out.” He paused and leaned toward her. “Do me a favor. Promise me you won’t go anywhere alone for a while—try not to be alone if you can help it.”

She tilted her head, a half smile curling her lips. “You do realize I live alone, right?”

“I’m being serious.”

Her smile drooped. In fact, her whole body seemed to droop from the weight of their discussion.

“So am I. I know it’s not ideal, but I don’t have much choice.

All my friends and extended family members have jobs or other commitments.

And between all the normal things that keep me running, I’m slipping in doctor appointments and tests right and left. ”

He really didn’t like it, but she had a point. “At least do what you can. Keep your doors locked, even when you’re at home. Try not to go out alone, but if you have to, tell someone where you’re going and be extra aware of your surroundings.”

“All right. I can do that.”

She sounded calm, but he noticed the trembling in her hand when she tucked her hair behind her ear. Was that from nerves, or was it due to her illness?

“But back to Mayor Jennings. Should I be concerned about him, or am I overthinking things?”

He leaned back. “I wouldn’t think too much of the mayor trying to encourage you to be cautious. From his point of view, it very much looked like you suffered an accidental head injury. I can see why he’d have doubts.”

“There’s more though.” Allye’s tone put him on alert. “When he was listing the reasons why I needed to rethink whether my memory could be trusted, he mentioned the green glow.”

His brow crinkled. “From your break-in?”

She nodded. “How did he know about that? I certainly didn’t tell him.”

“Are you sure you didn’t mention it to him? Or to your mom?”

“Positive. I had just told him about the break-in, and he acted like that’s the first he’d heard about it—but I didn’t say anything about the green glow.

And Mom doesn’t know about any of this. The only people who should know that detail are me, you, Officer Moore, and my attacker.

” She paused. “If you didn’t tell and Officer Moore didn’t. ..” She left the rest unsaid.

Eric clicked his pen a few times. Her insistence on still keeping all this a secret from her family was not good, but that wasn’t his call.

“Okay,” he said finally. “I’ll check with Moore if I can get ahold of him.

Sometimes he’s a bit of a gossip around the station, but your break-in happened on the last shift before he left for vacation.

If I know him, he was in a hurry to get everything logged and get home as soon as he clocked out. I doubt he told anyone.”

“And if he didn’t?” Allye’s words were soft.

He blew out a breath. “If he didn’t, then we may have a major problem.”