Page 21 of My Killer Blind Date

My heartbeat ratchets up. This could be it.

‘Did she mention anything else about him?’

He shakes his head. ‘Can’t remember. But I still think you’re jumping to conclusions. Maybe she just wanted to reinvent herself. People do that. I imagine there are plenty of people in my hometown who figure I’m dead too.’ He crushes the cigarette butt with the toe of his shoe. ‘We should get going. But let me give you some unsolicited advice.’

‘OK …’

He skewers me with his gaze. ‘If you really think something bad happened to Zoe, and this Liam character was involved, stay away.’ He jerks his thumb to the van where Mrs Baughman now lies. ‘Everyone ends up here eventually. It’s just a matter of time. You should stay alive, as long as you can. Don’t go looking for trouble. Be smart.’

My blood is suddenly boiling.

We get into the van and start the drive back to the funeral home. Devin plays his loud music again and I look out the window and seethe.

Don’t go looking for trouble? Fuck that! I’m looking for justice. For Zoe. Zoe wasn’t looking for trouble either. She just didn’t want to be put down any more. She was looking for freedom.

And stay away from Liam? Hah. What I need to do is the opposite. Get closer to Liam. Figure out what his game is and what he did to my friend. As soon as possible.

But where to start? I could get Liam’s number from Arjun and see if I can get a second date … Or I could go back to Wine & Thistle first and ask some questions. Starting with our server Alex. I still think it’s a reasonable theory that Alex is colluding with Liam, helping him get women nice and drunk.

As soon as Devin pulls into the parking lot behind the funeral home, I tell him I need to step aside and take a call.

I hop out and move to the far side of the parking lot, with enough distance that Devin can’t overhear me, and dial the restaurant.

‘Wine & Thistle, can I help you?’

‘Hi, I was wondering if Alex is working tonight?’

‘May I ask who’s calling?’

‘Oh … Alex is my favorite server. I was just wondering.’

‘Let me check the schedule …’ There’s some rustling. ‘Yes, he’s on tonight. Would you like to make a reservation?’

‘Sure. Do you have openings at six thirty?’

‘Yes. How many in your party?’

‘Party of one.’

‘Great! What name?’

I pause and look at Devin, who’s setting up the gurney. ‘Dawson. Zoe Dawson.’

Chapter Seven

Wine & Thistle is glowing in the dark as I run across the street ahead of oncoming traffic. I adjust my ponytail as I approach the entrance. To the left, in the window table, two glammed-out women are laughing together over drinks. They look effortless, like it’s not hard to be them. How I wish that was me and Zoe, just enjoying the good things of life without a worry in the world. Was that ever us, though?

As I step inside the restaurant, delicious smells envelop my senses – bread, garlic and … chicken? My stomach rumbles.

The hostess is seating someone else, so while I wait, I pluck at my flannel shirt and readjust the shoulders.

‘Hi!’ I say when the hostess returns, plastering on a smile. ‘I have a reservation under Dawson.’

She checks her tablet. ‘Right this way, Zoe.’

At the back of the restaurant, she seats me at a tiny table by the restroom, which suits me just fine – all the better for having a discreet conversation. I hide behind the menu until I hear the server approaching.

‘Hi, my name is Alex, and I’ll be your …’