Chapter 26: Answer Me

A bird flew overhead and squawked as if laying claim to some morsel of food no one else could see. Parking lot gulls she called them.
“I told you. Dolores gave it to me.”
“She says she didn’t.”
“She did. Maybe she forgot. She is pregnant.”
Zach’s hands clenched to fists, but Grace felt no fear. He wouldn’t hit her. “She told you that?”
“Yes. And I think you and I need to talk. Can I buy you a drink? I’ve had a rough day looking in a dumpster for someone’s ear.”
His stare went through her again. You’d think she’d asked him to strip naked in the parking lot. Not that she wouldn’t have enjoyed a private showing of the Zach Holten show. She missed his touch, even if it sent her brain into a frenzy of colors. “Okay,” he said after a long silence.
He met her at the coffee shop next to the Robber Baron in downtown Mill Hall, a borough just south of the Glen Hills.
She led him to a table in the back corner of the smoke-free coffee bar. The place was in the lull between people on their way home and those coming out for dessert. This place had the best cheesecake she’d ever tasted.
Grace ordered a cappuccino, but Zach only wanted seltzer water. “So speak.”
“You’re going to think I’m nuts, but I believe that Dolores is in danger.”
He didn’t’ flinch. His expression didn’t change. Only his eyes flicked from his hands to her face. A small smile formed indicating he liked what he saw. He shook himself, reforming his expressionless face. “Danger from what?”
“From whom. I don’t know. She’s going to be murdered.”
If she could only kiss him and make him remember what they’d shared, maybe he’d believe her. Everyone else had amnesia, but her.
He almost stood. She could see it in the stiffening of his spine. “Are you threatening her?”
“No, and I know it seems that way, but I’m not. Someone is going to kill her.”
Zach looked around the well-lit shop as if he were afraid someone heard her. He leaned closed so she could smell peppermint breath. “How do you know this?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“That’s obstruction of justice. Aiding a felon, too perhaps.”
“Zach, just listen. I realize you aren’t going to believe me, but I need to talk to your ex-boss.”
“My old boss? How do you know who my boss was?”
“I just do.”
“Miss, this is nuts. Why do you need to talk to my boss.”
“Because he might be the father of Dolores baby.”
He smacked his forehead then rubbed a hand down his face. “He’s a happily married man.”
“Humor me.”
Zach’s head shook, sending his now dry ebony curls in all directions. “No, you will not sully his reputation with these half-assed ideas. Did Dolores tell you he was the father of her baby?”
“Not exactly.”
Well she did, but not in this go round. Of course he wouldn’t understand that. She searched his face. There was no recognition of her, none of the tenderness they’d shared. Her heart hurt. She’d never wanted to rewind again. Maybe after today became tomorrow and she turned thirty she wouldn’t have to, but would Zach ever all in love again?
“For your information, I’m the father of her baby.”
If he were so sure, he wouldn’t be looking at Grace as if she were the only woman in the room. “You’re not.”
“I think Lors should know and she told me I was.”
“You aren’t. She’s too pregnant.”
“What? How can you know that?”
“I can’t answer that.”
The drinks arrived and Grace took a healthy swig of hers. The liquid scalded her throat like the reality she was facing. This part wasn’t getting any easier. Zach thought she was even nuttier than he did last time she was through this.
He sipped at his seltzer then set it on the table as if it were fine china. His long fingers traced a circle around the condensation on the glass. “Look, I don’t know what your game is, but maybe you need some help.” His hand snaked across the table and covered hers. She braced for the colors to come. They did, but she was able to keep her focus on his words.
“You didn’t need to concoct such a convoluted story to get me to go out with you. Grace, you seem like a sweet person, but I’m not the white picket fence type.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You think. That I.” She struggled to finish her sentences. “I didn’t do this to ask you out. If I’d wanted that I would have asked the question point blank.”
He withdrew his hand. “Then this isn’t a guise to get me alone.”
His face fell a little as if he’d been hoping that she had been interested in him. Could she use this to her advantage. Her mind searched for ideas to no avail.
“Zach, I’m telling the truth.”
His face hardened. “You haven’t told me much, Grace. Just some suppositions. Look, I’m hungry. I’m going home to eat.”
He stood and dropped some bills on the table.
“You might want to ask Kent Winger why he was at Dolores’ house last night,” she said.
Taking one last look at her he left.
Grace was at the bottom of a hill with no transportation to the top.
***
Zach finished his yoga, but his mind wasn’t settled. When he’d touched Grace’s hand he felt a warmth and sincerity he’d never seen in anyone. Not even Dolores and he’d married her.
His brain still not silent, he went for a walk in a local park.
Grace sat slumped on a bench, gripping her cell phone, a frown creasing her face. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so harsh on her.
“You okay?”