Page 43 of Race to Save Her

The detectives walked back to their car. Katie hesitated, looking at the coffee place.

“What?” said McGaven.

“Let’s get a couple of coffees.”

He smiled, seeing where she was going. “You can never have enough caffeine when you’re a cop.”

“Trust me, the last thing I need this morning is more caffeine.”

They walked around several small bistro tables to the front door. The interior was fun with lots of colorful decorations. There was modern music playing and the conversation level was high.

“I’ve never been here before,” said McGaven. “I usually go to Java Junction on the way to work.”

“I haven’t been here either. It’s usually really busy and parking is a pain.”

They made their way to the counter to order.

“One black tea with milk,” said Katie.

“I’ll have a mocha latte.”

“Hey, wait a minute,” said the barista with a nametag that said “Mike.” “I know you guys.”

Katie was puzzled. “You do?”

“You’re a couple of Pine Valley’s finest.”

“Yes. Detectives,” said Katie, feeling a bit conspicuous as others turned to stare at them.

The man behind the counter had shoulder-length blond hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He looked to be about twenty-five. “Well, we’re glad you’re here. Your drinks are on us.”

“Oh no, that won’t be necessary,” she said.

“We have this.” The blond man pointed to a small bucket where people could drop a few dollars for coffee for police officers. He reached into the bucket and took out what the two drinks cost.

“Thank you,” said McGaven as he tossed money into the tip jar.

The barista yelled the orders. He looked back to Katie and McGaven. “So are you on a case?”

Katie nodded.

“Can we help?”

“You haven’t noticed anyone who seems to be obsessed with the yoga studio?” said McGaven.

“You mean like staring and sitting in the same place outside, strategically positioned to watch the studio?”

“Yeah, actually, something like that,” said McGaven.

“I have, a couple of times. He seemed weird, and he seemed to keep an eye on the studio the whole time he was here. At first, I thought it might be a boyfriend or husband of someone there, but he always left alone.”

“And?” said Katie. “What did he look like?”

“Average, brown hair, slim to athletic build, always wearing a leather jacket.”

“Anything else?”

“Nah, I’m sorry. That’s pretty much it. Oh wait, I think I’ve seen him delivering packages before to the other businesses along here.”