Page 112 of Deep Tide

“Let’s go.”

A cool fog had settled over everything, and the streetlights below made hazy white orbs. He waited on the landing as she locked the door and then preceded him down the stairs.

She glanced over her shoulder at him. “Are you parked on the street or—”

“The lot behind the bike shop. I parked beside your car.”

The sidewalk was deserted except for a homeless guy stretched out on a bench. Sean peered into doorways as they walked, trying to penetrate the thick shadows. They rounded the corner and walked in silence toward a pothole-filled lot that smelled like piss and garbage. The only other car parked back here besides his and Leyla’s was a white hatchback with a crumpled bumper.

She popped her locks with a chirp, and Sean reached around her to open her door.

“I’ll follow you,” he said.

Her eyebrows arched. “You mean to work?”

“Sure. It’s on my way.”

He wanted to make sure she got there safely. Plus, he wasn’t the most romantic guy in the world, but he knew better than to say good-bye to her by a dumpster.

She slid behind the wheel and glanced up at him. “Thanks.”

He closed her door and looked around the shadowy lot again as he unlocked his SUV and got inside. He hated that she parked her car here.

Sean followed her out of the lot and checked his phone as he tailed her across downtown. Nothing from Moore yet, which was a small miracle given that he had meetings stacked one on top of the other all morning as everyone scrambled to analyze the implications of last night.

Sean watched Leyla’s taillights through the fog as he followed her through town. The streets were empty except for a few stray cars. Sean scrubbed his hand over his bristly chin. He felt like he’d been hit by a truck. And it wasn’t just his head. His entire body felt it.

What the fuck now?

In the past twelve hours, he’d achieved every goal he’d been working toward for weeks and months. And that included Leyla.

So, now what?

The coffee shop was dark except for the two new floodlights shining down on the parking lot. Leyla parked in her usual spot beneath a twisted oak tree. He swung in beside her, and she looked amused as he got out and walked over.

“I do this every day, you know.”

“I know.” He caught her hand in his and felt her tense as they approached the door.

She was nervous, and he thought he knew why.

She stopped on the sidewalk and looked up at him. “So... I’m glad you came over.”

He felt like she left the second part unsaid: Even though I’ll probably never see you again.

“I am, too,” he said. “Are you working tonight?”

“I’ve got an event.” She paused. “When are you leaving?”

“I don’t know.”

She searched his eyes, as if trying to read more into that. “You really don’t know, or you don’t want to tell me?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ve got meetings this morning, so I’ll probably find out the plan. Soon, I’m guessing.”

She looked away. “Okay, well—”

“What time does your event end?”

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