Page 55 of The Summer Request

Val shrugged. “I guess.”

“What’s the big plan on getting Sam to talk to you about Lou?” asked Michelle. “Do you have anything?”

“Of course I do,” Val spat back. “I’m not an idiot.”

“Okay.” Michelle wasn’t going to ask if she was going to be so sassy about it.

They showered and changed, arriving at the restaurant promptly at eleven o’clock. It wasn’t a fancy place, mostly take-out, with a few small tables.

Val led the way, walking straight up to the cash register.

“What can I get you?” asked the man behind the counter.

“I need to talk to Sam Beverly,” Val said.

“Sam?” He paused, and yelled over his shoulder. “What time is Sam coming in?”

“Not until three. He’s doing deliveries tonight.”

The man turned back to them. “Can I get you something in the meantime?”

Val forced a smile. “No, we’ll be back. Thank you.”

Michelle was sick of riding the roller coaster of Val’s emotions, but at least she was happy for a bit.

They went to Jordan Pond and got lunch at the restaurant there, eating outside with a view of the lake.

According to Zora’s notes, Justine liked to sit here and admire the view. It was lovely, except for Val droning on and on about all the things she was going to ask Sam.

They returned to their Sam search a bit before three o’clock and grabbed a table. Lisa pulled a picture of Sam up on her phone.

Michelle studied his face. He was a young guy in his twenties. He didn’t particularly look like a blackmailer, but what did she know?

When he walked through the door, Val jumped from her seat. “Sam?”

He glanced at her. “Yeah?”

“Hi. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m an admirer of your work.”

A bemused smile broke his flat expression. “Thanks, I guess?”

Val leaned in, lowering her voice. “The work you’ve done with Lou Emerald.”

The smile dropped off of his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Michelle cringed. Was that it? This was what Val had been planning all along?

Val followed him as he walked through the restaurant. “It’s okay. I’m on your side. I’m here to help.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“Well, yes, you do.”

He stopped and looked at her. “What’s your name?”

She flashed a smile. “Valerie Villano, but you can call me Val.”

He nodded, pulling out his phone. “I’m calling the cops, Val. If you’re not gone in five minutes, they’ll arrest you for harassment.”