Chapter 15

He pictured her sitting across a little table from him now, her beautiful face lit by candlelight as she listened appreciatively to his description of his meeting with Augusta. His pulse quickened at the thought, and he smiled.

He decided to text her. Hi! I've got some news about your case. When would be a good time to talk? Happy to buy you dinner if you haven't eaten.

A few seconds later, the pulsing ellipsis appeared. Then, Now is fine. I'm at University Grounds. The ellipsis appeared again before he could respond. With Beckett.

Hez reached University Grounds after a five-minute walk. Strings of patio lights cast a warm yellow glow on the wrought-iron tables and chairs on the broad porch of the old hotel that housed the coffee shop. The tables were mostly full of students and faculty, and it took Hez a few seconds to spot Beckett and Savannah. They sat close together in a dimly lit corner along the porch rail, chatting and laughing. Beckett had his arm on the rail behind her—not touching her but familiar and possessive. Savannah noticed Hez and waved him over.

"They really do." Savannah took a long sip as if to illustrate the point. "You said you had news. What's up?"

So she wasn't going to invite him to join them. Maybe that was because the porch was crowded. Maybe.

She gave a relieved smile. "Excellent—for both of us. You must be looking forward to getting back to Birmingham."

"I, uh, haven't made a decision about that." Hez cleared his throat. "You know, Tupelo Grove has been growing on me."

"Thanks for stopping by," Beckett said, his frown now transformed into a smug grin.

A hint of concern showed in Savannah's eyes. "You just finished work?"

Savannah stared down into her cup again and said nothing.

Hez decided to leave before things got even more awkward. "Have a good evening." He turned and walked away.

Before he'd gone a hundred yards, Hez realized he was heading in the wrong direction. He was walking toward downtown Nova Cambridge, which had a collection of restaurants catering to faculty and students. But that was the last place he wanted to go now. His gut felt like it was full of cold gravel, and he couldn't think of anything more depressing than sitting alone in a restaurant while Savannah was out with Beckett. Besides, he needed to get back home to Cody, who hadn't been out since noon.

The guy ran his fingers through shaggy hair—and Hez knew why he looked familiar. His hand shook and his movements were jerky and fidgety. Hez had seen it at least a hundred times in the past two years: The guy was an addict going through the first symptoms of withdrawal. He was hours past due for his next fix or drink, and it was starting to affect him. So why was he out here rather than feeding his craving?

Part of the reason he could picture the man's face so clearly was that he'd seen it before in better light. But where?

***

Beckett's arm dropped from the back of her chair enough for his hand to settle on her shoulder. "You okay?"

Maybe he'd gotten the wrong idea from her invitation. "I'm fine. It's getting chilly."

His arm didn't return to its former position. "Supposed to go down to forty-eight or so tonight."

The warmth radiated off his skin, and she leaned forward to curl her cold fingers around her mug of hot cider. When she leaned back, he'd pulled his arm to his side. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Her phone dinged with a message. She snatched it out of her purse with relief she struggled to hide. It was from Hez.

You okay? I spotted an addict watching you. I've seen him before, but I can't think where. Wavy brown hair, glasses, dark brown eyes, thin nose and lips, early thirties, about 5'2". Want me to check out your house?

No thanks, I'm still with Beckett, and he will make sure I'm safe.

The way her pulse blipped when she hit Send told her she wanted to upset him. Sometimes she didn't understand her own behavior.

She exhaled and told Beckett about the man Hez had spotted. "It's probably nothing."

"I'll walk you home," he said. "Let's get out of here before he comes back."

Marley sneered in the way only a dog can, and she sighed. "Yeah, I know that's a crazy thing to say. You adore Hez and always have. I'm sure he loves you more than Cody. A guy never forgets his first dog."

"Stay," she said.

The door opened, and Beckett gestured for her to join him. She loosened fists she hadn't realized she'd clenched. "All clear?"

"Anytime."

His strained smile didn't reach his eyes. "I sure wish you were single, Savannah," he said in a husky voice. He went down the two steps on the porch and walked away without looking back.

She rubbed her forehead and went inside. The investigation had enough drama on its own without adding more.