Dark Hearts by Sharon Sala

tell me.”
    â€œYes, sir. I understand,” Mike said, and then sat back down as Trey went inside.
    Trey glanced at Trina, and then raised an eyebrow at Sam to ask how she was.
    Sam just shook his head, indicating no change.
    â€œAre you okay to leave?” Trey asked. “I need to run something by you.”
    â€œYes. I’ve been here ever since I got back from seeing Lainey.”
    Trey heard something in Sam’s voice that he hadn’t heard in years. “So how did that go?”
    Sam shrugged. “Just about how you’d expect. She slapped my face, threw a coffee mug at me and then cried. I won’t go into details, but right now I guess I hate myself more now than I did when I was hurt.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Trey said.
    â€œYeah, so am I,” Sam said, then turned and gave Trina a kiss on her forehead. “Rest and get well, little sister. Know that you are safe.”
    They left together, saving their conversation until they were outside the hospital, when there was no one around to overhear.
    â€œHave you had lunch?” Trey asked as they exited the building.
    â€œNo stomach for food,” Sam muttered, then kicked at the melting snow. “At least this is going away.”
    â€œYou need to eat something, and I’m hungry. Meet me at Charlie’s Burgers. You can eat pie. I want real food.”
    * * *
    As Sam was walking toward the café, the killer was walking out. He paused, hoping the expression on his face was one of concern and not panic.
    â€œHow goes it, Sam?”
    Sam shrugged. “Okay.”
    â€œSo how’s Trina? Is she still in a coma?”
    â€œShe’s stable, and yes, they’re still keeping her medicated.”
    â€œStable is good,” the killer said. “Just know my prayers will be with her.”
    â€œThanks,” Sam said and went into the café as the killer walked to his car.
    He waved at Trey Jakes, who had just pulled up, and then got into his own car and drove away.
    * * *
    Trey walked inside, saw Sam at a booth and quickly joined him.
    The waitress came with menus and coffee. As Sam began to relax with his brother, he decided to eat something after all. By the time the waitress came back, he was ready to order.
    As soon as she left, Trey leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I need you to do something for me.”
    Sam nodded. “Anything.”
    â€œI need you to go to Mom’s. I know you don’t want to, but consider this part of the investigation. Go through the house with a fine-tooth comb. You know what to look for. She was keeping journals about her dreams. She brought me several, but I don’t know if what I have is all she wrote. You know?”
    â€œYes, Mom was big on journals.”
    â€œIf you find anything even remotely referring to her memory issues, bring it.”
    â€œI will, but I’ll need a key.”
    Trey took his key from the ring and handed it over. “Keep mine. Dallas has another. I can make a copy.”
    â€œAre there still cats in the barn?” Sam asked.
    â€œYes, Dallas and I have been feeding them, but there’s no livestock on the place anymore.”
    â€œI’ll check on them and feed them today,” Sam said. “Food still in the same place?”
    Trey nodded.
    Sam threaded the house key onto his key ring, and then reached for his coffee. It was hot and fresh, and it took the chill off his mood. As they sat, he watched Trey fielding texts and then turning the sound down on his handheld so the radio traffic wouldn’t disturb the other diners.
    â€œYou are a good man, Trey. I don’t think I ever thanked you and Trina for taking care of Mom.”
    Trey’s voice broke. “I didn’t do a very good job of it. And I’m not doing a very good job of finding her killer, either.”
    â€œDon’t talk like that. From what I’ve heard, both the city and the county are at a loss on