tell me.â
âYes, sir. I understand,â 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.
âAre you okay to leave?â Trey asked. âI need to run something by you.â
âYes. Iâve been here ever since I got back from seeing Lainey.â
Trey heard something in Samâs voice that he hadnât heard in years. âSo how did that go?â
Sam shrugged. âJust about how youâd expect. She slapped my face, threw a coffee mug at me and then cried. I wonât go into details, but right now I guess I hate myself more now than I did when I was hurt.â
âIâm sorry,â Trey said.
âYeah, so am I,â Sam said, then turned and gave Trina a kiss on her forehead. âRest and get well, little sister. Know that you are safe.â
They left together, saving their conversation until they were outside the hospital, when there was no one around to overhear.
âHave you had lunch?â Trey asked as they exited the building.
âNo stomach for food,â Sam muttered, then kicked at the melting snow. âAt least this is going away.â
âYou need to eat something, and Iâm hungry. Meet me at Charlieâs Burgers. You can eat pie. I want real food.â
* * *
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.
âHow goes it, Sam?â
Sam shrugged. âOkay.â
âSo howâs Trina? Is she still in a coma?â
âSheâs stable, and yes, theyâre still keeping her medicated.â
âStable is good,â the killer said. âJust know my prayers will be with her.â
âThanks,â 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. âI need you to do something for me.â
Sam nodded. âAnything.â
âI need you to go to Momâs. I know you donât 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 donât know if what I have is all she wrote. You know?â
âYes, Mom was big on journals.â
âIf you find anything even remotely referring to her memory issues, bring it.â
âI will, but Iâll need a key.â
Trey took his key from the ring and handed it over. âKeep mine. Dallas has another. I can make a copy.â
âAre there still cats in the barn?â Sam asked.
âYes, Dallas and I have been feeding them, but thereâs no livestock on the place anymore.â
âIâll check on them and feed them today,â Sam said. âFood still in the same place?â
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 wouldnât disturb the other diners.
âYou are a good man, Trey. I donât think I ever thanked you and Trina for taking care of Mom.â
Treyâs voice broke. âI didnât do a very good job of it. And Iâm not doing a very good job of finding her killer, either.â
âDonât talk like that. From what Iâve heard, both the city and the county are at a loss on
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