Captivating Witness

But who?

Clearly the police were out of the question.

“We have to go back,” she said again, this time in a mumble.

“I get the feeling that would be a bad idea.”

“We have to. I have to.”

“We’re over halfway to my cabin.”

“Your cabin?”

“Wasn’t sure where else to take you.”

“Oh.”

“You need to tell me something?”

She chewed her lip nervously, trying to decide what to say. “Someone’s life might depend on whether or not I go back.”

He met her gaze in the rearview mirror, and he didn’t look as startled as she thought he should. “And your life?”

“What?”

“That cop back there...”

Those four words were enough to make Reggie’s heart beat at double time, and her hands tightened on the blanket. “Yes. That’s Chuck Delta.”

“Well, Officer Delta had your shoe.”

Reggie glanced down at her feet, then recalled one of the slip-ons had fallen off during her hasty escape. And it wasn’t exactly good news that it was now in Chuck’s possession. But even that wasn’t the most pressing of her issues right then. She needed to help the victim. If he could still be helped.

“Bad time to play Cinderella,” the big man pointed out, then sighed when she didn’t respond. “All right. You tell me where you need me to go and I’ll circle back.”

“The Frost Family Diner.”

“Got it. But the second I see anything I think is dangerous, I’m hitting the gas. That includes running into the cop again.”

Reggie breathed out, glad he’d conceded, even with his conditions. “Okay.”

She closed her eyes, letting the rhythm of the tires under her back lull her. After a few silent moments, though, one of his statements came back to her.

His cabin.

And finally she placed him.

“Tuesday, table five. Two eggs, over easy, dry toast,” she said, opening her eyes again.

A smile tipped up both sides of his mouth and showed a row of nice even teeth before his gaze went back to the front windshield. “I usually go by Max. But that works, too.”

Reggie felt her face warm. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. It’s not like customers wear name tags.” His teasing gaze found hers in the mirror again. “Actually, I’m kinda flattered you remembered my meal.”

“You left one of the girls a twenty-dollar tip when she complained about the price of diapers. She talked about it—and you and your plans to start a bed-and-breakfast—for an hour after.”

“Ah. My wanton display of wealth. Should’ve known.”

“Generosity with no strings,” she corrected, then blushed a little more at how emphatic she sounded.

“Always glad to help,” he said with another glance at her in the mirror. “Never any strings.”

She sensed a question in the words, and she wasn’t sure what it was. Which made it even harder to answer. After a moment, she settled on something easy.

“Thank you. For picking me up and for taking me back, too.”

He replied just as simply. “You’re welcome. And speaking of which...we’re here.”

She fought the dizziness and propped herself up to look out the window. The street was eerily empty. And even though she knew it was because Jesse Garibaldi owned the whole block and all the owners were probably just getting ready for his party, it still made her shiver. Even the familiar sight of her family’s restaurant couldn’t help her shake her unease.

“See anything you don’t like?” Max asked.

“I don’t see anything at all,” she admitted. “But I still don’t like it. Could you drive around to the alley?”

“Sure.”

Very slowly, he guided the car to the end of the road. Reggie didn’t have to strain to see that it was as empty as the street.

Unless there’s a body behind the Dumpster.

She swallowed nervously and reached for the door handle.

“What are you doing?” Max demanded immediately.

“I need to get out and check.”

“Check what?”

Ignoring his question—mostly because she wasn’t sure she could answer without panicking again—she pushed open the door. From the front seat, the big man muttered something unintelligible, and before Reggie could even get both feet on the ground, he’d flung open his own door and made his way to her side of the car.

He positioned himself in front of her, arms crossed over his wide chest as he repeated, “Check what?”

She met his gaze as steadily as she could manage with her head swimming the way it was and made herself say the words. “Check for a body.”

Max’s eyes widened, then darkened as he shook his head. “We’re not checking for a body.”

“We have to.”