Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“Zahra is legendary,” Felicity said. “I hear her name all over town.”
“She’s the chief administrator at the hospital. Without her, we wouldn’t have the amazing trauma center that we do. No one is better at securing grants and fundraising than she is.”
Tyrone seated the four male students from the university at one of the window tables, handing out menus and chatting briefly before leaving them to their waitress. Shabina had the same reaction to the four men she’d had before Rainier’s arrival. Her heart accelerated. It was difficult to breathe. She instantly felt on guard.
Shabina was disappointed in herself. She kept her mask on, murmuring her replies to the two women with a smile before she took her leave and went on to the next table to greet her customers. She would have to say hello to the men from the university. They had come into her café several times now and had taken the bird-watching tour. It was clear they enjoyed the cuisine she included from the Middle East as well as the specialty coffee. They ordered it each time they came in. Jules Beaumont had switched from the Middle Eastern cuisine to her Belgian waterzooi, a creamy stew made with chicken, cream, vegetables and eggs, at lunchtime. He seemed to really savor the dish. She had put it on the menu when he’d mentioned that he came from Belgium.
Raine and Zahra entered the café, and Vaughn hurried to help Raine to their favorite table in the back. Shabina brought them their usual drinks, grateful for their reassuring presence.
“Can you sit a moment?” Raine asked. “I want to catch you up on the latest.”
“I only have a few minutes. We’re filling up,” Shabina said, slipping into the chair beside her.
Raine leaned close to her. “A member of the rescue team didn’t check in last night. They always search in groups, and they check in with one another and their team leader.”
Cold fingers crept down Shabina’s spine. “It’s too soon. He must be lost. The murderer wouldn’t kill again this soon, would he? And how would he find the opportunity with so many people searching the trails?”
“We don’t know for certain he’s been murdered.” Zahra was practical. “He could have gotten turned around.”
“You don’t believe that,” Shabina objected. “Who, Raine? He must be local, or he wouldn’t be on the Search and Rescue team.”
“Lucca Delgotto. He’s a waiter at the Grill. His family moved to Knightly when he was eight. Two brothers, one sister. Both parents are alive.” Raine had no expression in her voice.
Shabina scrubbed her hand down her face. She not only knew Lucca, but she knew his entire family. “Has Vienna been in touch?”
“Only to send news of Lucca,” Raine said.
“And to tell me she needs more time off. Harlow returned to cover at the hospital,” Zahra interjected.
“We’ve got to figure out who’s doing this,” Shabina said. “We can’t wait for the FBI or Rafferty. Raine, we have to put the clues together and stop him. I know we can do it; we’re smart. If we all work at it, we should be able to figure it out.”
Patsy arrived to take their orders. “Sorry it took so long. We’re one waitress down, and I’m covering outside as well.” She gave Shabina a sober, questioning look. “Your partner took Chelsey outside for a talk. It didn’t go well. He looked scary. She cried a lot. She apparently was fired?” That was a question.
Shabina nodded. “Yes. I’ve got three interviews this afternoon after work. I’ve talked to them before, and all three seem good candidates. I’m sorry I didn’t have time to warn you, Patsy. I’ll get moving in a minute.”
Patsy waved the suggestion away. “We can handle it right now. You visit for a minute. If we get too overloaded, I thought we might tell Mr. Hottie he has to wait tables.” She winked at Shabina. “Can you imagine the women fainting when he walks in?”
“I can’t imagine anyone telling him to wait tables,” Shabina said. “That idea leaves me a little faint.”
Patsy laughed again and hurried away to put their orders in. Silence followed her departure. Shabina felt color rising under her skin and creeping up her neck and face. She tried not to look at Zahra and Raine, but it was impossible.
Raine regarded her with a mixture of amusement and what could have been satisfaction. Zahra had her infamous expressive eyebrow lift and shock on her face.
“Partner?” she challenged. “You have a partner, and your besties don’t know?”
“We were discussing murder.” Shabina tried her best to be nonchalant.
Zahra waved the subject away. “Not nearly as interesting at this time. Explain the partner.”
“You aren’t the most observant woman in the world, little mama,” Shabina said, calling her by the familiar endearment she often used for her. She placed her left hand on the table between them, so that her ring caught the light. She had no doubt that Raine had seen the ring the moment she sat down.