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Imogene quickly scanned the menu.
“A coffee, please, and um…” She was starving but focusing more on the prices than the actual food items. Eating out had become a luxury she rarely indulged in. Her finances had taken a hard hit in the last few months, and strict budgeting had become a way of life.
“I’ll have two eggs, scrambled, and rye toast.”
“Do you want bacon, sausage, or ham with that?”
Imogene’s gaze drifted to the small print. An extra three dollars? She folded the menu, handing it to the girl.
“No, thank you.”
The waitress smiled, glancing over to Erik. “Refill?”
He placed his hand over the top of his cup and shook his head. Then they were alone. Imogene tucked her hands under her thighs and raised her shoulders to her ears.
“What did you order?”
His stare hardened. “A breakfast burrito and hashbrowns, which I ate fifteen minutes ago. And this” —he lifted his mug— “is the third cup of coffee I’ve had while waiting for you.”
Oh shit! She’d pissed him off, which was not conducive in this situation since she wanted to ask for a favor.
Imogene leaned forward, offering an apologetic smile. “Again, I’m so sorry, Erik. I really thought I gave myself enough time. I’m not used to city traffic.”
“Then maybe city living isn’t for you.”
She flattened her lips. “I think I just need some more time to find my way.”
His eyes narrowed, and she was thankful for the mini-interruption when the waitress delivered her coffee. She grabbed the sugar and creamer, fighting against her rising anxiety. This wasn’t how she wanted their meeting to start.
“Imogene?”
She peered up through her lashes.
Erik cocked his head and pulled back his sleeve. “I have about fifteen minutes left, so if there’s something you wanted to discuss, I suggest you get started soon.”
He knows I want something. Of course he did. He was a detective. It was his job to know things and read people. But still, she tried to play it off.
“What makes you think I want something? Maybe I just want to catch up. I mean” —she shrugged— “we are family.”
“Distant relatives.”
She knitted her brows. “Cousins.”
“Second,” he countered.
True. Erik’s father and her mom’s dad were brothers. Not close due to an argument stemming back to their early twenties. That strife made reunions scarce, according to her grandparents. Imogene never knew the catalyst behind it, and from Erik’s demeanor, he wouldn’t be sharing.
“How’s work? Catch a lot of criminals?”
“Imogene.” He sighed, and for a brief second she expected him to roll his eyes. He didn’t. Instead, he looked down at his watch again. “Thirteen minutes.”
As he so rudely pointed out, time was ticking. It was now or never. That wasn’t an exaggeration. In the four months she’d been in town, he’d only agreed to meet with her three times. Though she’d asked triple that. Imogene understood. He was busy with his job. He didn’t owe her anything. In fact, up until a few years ago, they’d never even spoken.
It had been complete chance that she’d found his contact information while going through her grandparents things after they’d passed away. It was a business card. Detective Erik Murdoch. It took a few voicemails for him to finally reach out. The initial call had been formal. Much like she’d expected from a stranger. But it didn’t matter much to her. With barely any living relatives, she was just happy to connect with him. They’d only spoken a handful of times. Imogene was always the one to initiate it. He didn’t share much about his life. It was always superficial whereas she shared more, which led to him helping her a few months ago.
It was actually Erik who drew her into moving to Lawry. In desperate need of a new start, what better place than close to her only known living relative? He seemed less than thrilled when she’d told him. He hadn’t exactly warmed up to her, but he had helped her. She was pretty sure his recommendation was what landed her the position at the public library. Given that, she was hoping he would do another favor. It was a big ask. He’d made his thoughts known, and told her exactly what he’d thought of her father and his impending case years ago.
She straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat, cupping her mug between her hands.
