Cold Pursuit - Carla Neggers [47]
Jo wasn’t surprised. No one liked to see Hannah worry. But she said, “Nora was in Black Falls in April when Drew Cameron died.” Jo felt Elijah’s stillness next to her. “Did she and Devin meet then?”
Hannah didn’t hesitate. “No. They didn’t.”
“What about you, Hannah?” Jo asked. “Did you meet Nora?”
“I did, but I meet most people who come to town. Because of this place,” she said, indicating the café. “Nora stopped by with her father.”
“When? Was it before or after the search for Drew started?”
But it was Beth who answered. “After. They got here right after the storm. The search-and-rescue team was already mobilized. Jo…”
She kept her eyes on Hannah. “Were you aware Devin went up the north side of the mountain? That old logging road must have been barely passable. He was just a senior in high school. You’d think he’d have told someone what he was up to.”
Hannah’s impressive control didn’t falter. “You were eighteen once, Jo. You must remember what it was like to want to be on your own. To live your own life.”
Jo stayed cool. “Does this mean no, you didn’t know Devin had decided to hike up the back side of Cameron Mountain to look for Drew?”
She thought she heard her brother inhale behind her, but Elijah remained motionless, his eyes on Hannah Shay. Hannah tossed her head back, tears shining in her eyes now. “Correct,” she said stiffly. “I didn’t know. Happy now, Jo?”
“Nora was here with her father that day. Did they help in the search?”
“Ask them. Or ask your brother or your sister, or Scott. Don’t ask me. I didn’t do a damn thing to help find Drew except keep this place open for the search teams and reporters.” She took in a deep breath, tucking strands of hair behind her ears. “It was a difficult time. I’m glad you weren’t here.”
In her own quiet way, Hannah could slice someone to ribbons, Jo thought. The budding prosecutor. “If any of us could go back in time, Hannah, we’d put ourselves in Devin’s place that day, just so that he didn’t have to be the one to find Drew.”
Hannah’s tears spilled now. “I have to go,” she mumbled as she bolted for the side door. “I promised I’d help Toby with a history paper.”
“If you hear from Devin,” Jo said, “let us know.”
Hannah didn’t respond as she retreated upstairs to her apartment.
Zack carried the cleaning bucket over from the riverside tables. “You’re tough, Jo. Phew.” He set the bucket on the floor next to the table with the supplies. “Remind me not to cross you.”
“What? I just—”
“Hannah won’t admit it,” Beth said, wiping her hands on her apron, “but she really is worried about Devin. And about Nora, too.”
Jo nodded, aware of Elijah silently eyeing her. “Rough day.”
“Hey, Jo,” her brother called to her.
She turned just as he tossed a wet rag at her, grinning. She caught it and whipped it back at him, water dripping onto the floor between them. He dodged out of the way, and the rag bounced off a chair, making her laugh, which, she knew, had been his intention.
Beth just shook her head and grumbled about having to mop.
In the meantime, Elijah had left. “I have to go,” Jo said.
Zack scooped up the washrag, his blue-green eyes on the door as he addressed his older sister. “Jo—you know Elijah…”
“Special ops, shot, at a loose end.”
“Still in love with you,” Beth said half under her breath.
Jo pretended she didn’t hear her and said good-night, heading back out to the street.
Elijah was still there, standing by his truck in the harsh light from the café. He raked an unrelenting gaze over her. “You got pretty tough on Hannah.” He yanked open his truck door. “It would have been worse if it’d been coming from me.”
“She’s loyal to her brother. That’s not a bad thing.”
“She knows something. Just like he does. You, too.”
“Elijah, what are you doing? Why—”
“What are you having for dinner?”
“Don’t try to change the subject.”
“I’m not trying. I just did change it. So, dinner?”
“I just ate a brownie.”
“A scone for lunch and a brownie for dinner. What kind of buff Secret Service agent are you? You need nutrition. Getting shot in the line of duty takes something