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Instead of searching for a nearby coffee shop, I text him the address of the hotel. They have a little café on the first floor, and with Carl still on the loose, I shouldn’t be wandering around.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in regular clothes.” Chip chuckles as he walks up to the table wearing khaki shorts and a striped polo. He puts his coffee down, and I stand to give him a hug.
“It’s my day off. They told me I could come in street clothes. Lucky me,” he says. His eyes scan the busy café, studying each person. “You here by yourself? Why didn’t they assign someone to you?”
I shrug. “They offered. I’d rather them use their manpower finding Carl. And Ari.” He twists his lips, disappointed. “I don’t have any plans except to have lunch with Paxton.”
“That’s the guy you were with yesterday, right?” I nod, taking a drink of my coffee. “Are you guys together?”
After his confession in my hotel room, I don’t even know.
I shake my head. “I don’t even live in Texas anymore.”
“Really? Where’d you move? What’ve you been doing?”
I give him a quick snapshot of my life, not really feeling like diving into my life. I thought I’d feel better being with someone that I’ve known forever, but it’s just a reminder of Pearl. And how close I was to her. But Chip is close to her too. This has to have thrown him for a loop.
“I can’t believe what Pearl did to me.”
His lips form a hard line, and he shakes his head. “It’s incomprehensible. I’ve seen a lot of shit in my days, but I’ve never…” His words trail off in a heated growl. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.”
Story of my life.
“Yeah. And now my best friend is missing. Did you ever see Pearl with her ex, Carl? She says he found her, but I never saw a strange guy hanging around.”
He looks at me over the rim of his coffee mug. He swallows. “Not that I was ever at her house, but I never saw him around town. Did you know he’s a retired cop? From up in Oklahoma. Makes it worse that one of my brothers was able to do this. It’s a shame.”
“He was a cop?”
Chip nods and checks his watch. I glance at my phone to see the time. “How are you getting to the station?”
“I’ll call a ride share.”
“The heck you are. I can take you. It’s almost eleven already, so you shouldn’t have to wait long. I’d much rather you be sitting up at the station than having a stranger take you places.”
“All right, Dad,” I joke, finishing off my coffee. “I’m ready when you are.”
He holds the door open, and I step outside, sliding my sunglasses down from the top of my head to shield my eyes from the never-ending sun.
“I’m parked down the street,” he says, pointing to the left.
I nod and gesture for him to lead the way. As we walk, he glances down at me with a sad half-smile, and I wonder what thoughts are running through his head. We just had a great conversation.
“If I’m ever in town, I’d love to meet for coffee again,” I say, linking my arm through his.
He pats my arm. “I’d like that.” I’m surprised when I hear him sniff. I glance up to see the big guy wipe his eyes and then cover them with sunglasses. Is he crying? He clears his throat and says, “I’m right there.”
A Blackburn cruiser is parked on the road. “Don’t you have a normal car?” I joke.
“Nope,” he replies, opening the back seat door for me.
“Well, this is one experience I never expected to have. You going to cuff me too?”
He chuckles. “Sorry. It’s protocol. Considering we’re going to the station, it’s best I don’t break it.”
I settle onto the hot black faux leather seat, grateful for the sun hitting the other side. Playfully, I grab onto the grill separating the front and back seats. “But officer, I swear I didn’t mean to run down the street naked. It was so hot.” Glancing at the seat, I think about all the people who’ve sat here and wonder if I’m occupying the exact spot that a murderer once did. How surreal. “Ouch!” I yelp, holding my hand to my neck where it stings, receiving a familiar pinch. “What the hell was that?” The door slams shut. Chip jumps into the front seat, starting the car and pulling out. “Chip!” I scream. He ignores me. I search for the handle, but there isn’t one. My purse is gone too. He must’ve snatched it before shutting the door.
“Calm down, Kali. You’re going to be okay.”
