Page 27 of Liar's Point

He looked her over as he picked up his beer. “You just get off work?”

“Yeah. Why tomorrow? I thought they wanted to meet tonight.”

“They called and changed it. Said they prefer to come down here.” He slid the pitcher toward her. “Want a beer?”

“No. Thanks.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I’m meeting up with Siena and Kate.” She turned back to Emmet, and he was watching her closely.

She didn’t know what to make of the fact that he was here tonight. If she’d been leading the case, she’d be at the station house right now, either running leads online or combing through everything that had come in today.

“Relax, Nikki.”

“What’s that mean?”

He set down his glass. “I can see what you’re thinking, and I’m still working. I’m here to see Lainey.”

She frowned. “Who?”

“Lainey Wheaton, Aubrey’s manager.” He nodded toward the bar. “The bartender tells me she’s on her way in.”

“Oh.” Nicole crossed her arms, feeling bad now for thinking he was here wasting time. “You want my help with the interview?”

He smiled slightly. “Think I can handle it. Go hang out with your sister.”

She glanced back at Kate and Siena. They had scheduled this meetup days ago, and Nicole knew they couldn’t wait to hear all about her big date, but she was dreading talking about it.

She turned back to Emmet. “So.” She snagged a fry and dipped it in ketchup. “I’m striking out on teal green pickups.”

“Oh yeah?”

“There are only two registered in the county, and I checked both of them.”

“Maybe the guy’s a tourist.”

“Great. Another dead end.”

Emmet shrugged. “Not necessarily. We could try the hotels, see if they have a record of him.”

“Or he could be staying at a rental. Or here visiting friends.” She blew out a sigh. “I’m frustrated. I was excited about that lead. Green Pickup Guy was our only potential witness.”

“Don’t forget the yoga teacher.”

Owen walked over. “Yeah, how did it go with her? You went to see her at home, right?”

Emmet looked surprised. “You did?”

“I wanted to follow up, see if she remembered anything new.”

“Did she?” Emmet asked.

“Not really.” She popped another fry in her mouth. “Once again, she seemed squirrelly.”

“Squirrelly?” Owen asked.

“Yeah, evasive. I can’t tell whether she’s genuinely flaky or hiding something she knows, for some reason.”

“Why would she?” Emmet asked.

“I don’t know that yet.”

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