Page 103 of Lorenzo

“What did she do?”

“We’re trying to find that out.”

“That sounds like trouble.”

“She may be in danger.”

His expression changes slightly.

“She stayed here,” he says. “A few times.”

Donna and I exchange a glance.

“Under what name?”

“She didn't give a name. Paid cash.”

“When's the last time you saw her?”

He hesitates and looks toward the office window, though no one is outside.

I step closer to the counter.

Donna does not look at me, but I see the slight shift in her shoulders. She knows exactly what I am doing and has decided not to stop me.

“A few weeks ago.”

“How many?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did she always pay cash?”

“Yes.”

“Did she always come alone?”

“As far as I know.”

He answers too quickly.

“Was she always alone?” Donna asks again.

The television continues in the back room, filling the silence with canned laughter.

The man rubs his jaw.

“People come and go. I don’t watch every door.”

“But you watched hers.”

His eyes move toward her.

“She was memorable,” Donna says. “You recognized her from one glance at a shitty picture.”

He rubs one hand over his mouth.

“Maybe someone came by sometimes.”