“You don’t sell to the normal reader. Your book buyers are either tourists who need a book to read right away, or locals who are part of your book clubs or who haven’t gone to the e-reader craze. I don’t think you need to be worrying about this.” He took his own slice of bread. “What does Jackie say? I’m sure she’s examined the numbers closely.”
“We’re up from the last year, and the year before. But you know how things go.” I’d read all of the reports my aunt had shoved in front of me in support of her argument to expand, but my gut told me it was too much, and too soon. I watched as the server delivered the shrimp nachos and then I filled my little appetizer plate. Waving a chip at Greg, I continued. “Besides, maybe I want to use that money for something else, like a new house once the wall gets certified. I may need to turn Miss Emily’s house into some sort of tourist attraction, and then I’d be homeless.”
Greg nodded. “The mission wall project may take over your life, I’ll give you that. But for now, you need to worry about today and not all these maybes. You’ll be frozen and not wanting to take any action if you don’t stop worrying.”
I thought about what he said as I consumed the chips and cheese and baby shrimp on my plate. My aunt had made the same argument. Maybe I should be more open to considering buying the truck.
We didn’t talk about the issue any more that night. I tried to put my worries on the back burner and enjoy my time with Greg. We’d finished planning our next trip to the city and all the things we wanted to do when his phone beeped. I watched him read the text as I sipped on the coffee we’d ordered with a couple of blueberry shortcakes for dessert. When he sighed, I knew our evening was over. “Work?”
“Sorry. The DA wants me to go over the case with him tonight. He’s planning on filing charges in the morning.” Greg put his phone away after texting an answer and finished the last couple bites of his dessert. “Looks like I’ll have a long night after I drop you off at the house.”
“Charges? Against who? I didn’t think you had enough evidence against anyone for Kacey’s death.” I finished my coffee, knowing that we’d be leaving sooner than later.
Greg waved the waitress down and gave her his credit card for our bill before he answered, “We didn’t until we got the background report on Austin.”
“I don’t understand.” I slipped on my jacket and snagged my purse.
Greg signed the slip and stood, holding out his hand to help me out of my chair. “Dustin Austin isn’t his real name. They found an old report attached to his fingerprints. He’s been hiding under an assumed name for the last forty years, and he’s wanted for questioning by the FBI.”
CHAPTER 11
I was at Amy’s desk with a box of cookies at five after eight the next morning. She stared at me when I walked in. “Hey, I thought you might need these when I heard about Austin. How is he? Have you talked to him?”
She watched me set the box on her desk, then shook her head. “Your boyfriend won’t let anyone talk to him. Officially, he’s not being charged with anything, just held for questioning. I’ve called his lawyer, Wilson, and he’s coming in from the city. I guess he’s some big shot who had a case on trial and had to ask for a stay so he could come save Austin.”
“I’m glad he has someone good.” I didn’t sit, not knowing if we were really talking again, or if Amy was too upset about Austin to be mad at me. “So, did you know about this FBI thing?”
“You’re kidding, right? I don’t even believe it’s true. Austin wouldn’t hurt a fly. Besides, what could they want to talk to him about? He’s been living here for ten years running a bike rental shop. What kind of criminal runs a bike rental shop?” Amy was close to tears now. “The guy has been like a father to me since I moved here. He’s always fixing up something in the apartment to make life easier, or just to make me smile. He’s a nice guy.”
“Look, I’m sure there’s nothing wrong. I mean, you don’t think he killed Kacey, do you?”
“Of course not.” Amy’s voice hit a pitch I hadn’t ever heard from her. “Austin is the sweetest, kindest man in the world. He loved Kacey, I know it.”
“Like he loved Sadie?” The question was out of my mouth before I could stop it. Amy’s eyes flared at me, and I knew the cookies weren’t going to make up for my second mistake in less than a week. I’d never known Amy to be this sensitive about things.
“You can leave any time.” Amy didn’t even look at me; instead, she focused on her computer.
Now I sat down. “Look, I didn’t mean to suggest that Austin is guilty of murder. He just wasn’t very up front and honest with Sadie when they were dating. Even you can’t argue that point.”
Amy gave me a slight nod, and instead of shutting up, like I should have, I kept going. “So, do you know anything about his past? Did he say where he was born, or where he went to school? Anything?”