Page 75 of Midnight Auto Parts

“Will do.”

A memory of the purple ribbons on Pink Panic surfaced in my mind, and I Googled to see what the color signified. Several illnesses and causes shared it, but the one that caught my eye was domestic violence.

Proof the Ezells supported abuse awareness and prevention had been there in the paint job all along. That, paired with the brochure, had me second-guessing myself. Had Tameka been a victim of abuse?

At the time of her death, she was single. Her only serious relationship had been with Keshawn’s father. But since Keshawn had never met Tey Rose, and Tameka severed contact with him years ago, I let it go.

Had her advocacy been her link to the other missing women? Or had her past led to her abduction?

Pedro and Kierce exited the men’s room, interrupting my jumbled thoughts, and Pedro’s jaw fell open.

“Ay, dios mío.”He winced at our ride. “That’s the ‘small side job’?”

“That’s her.”

“Does it handle better than it looks?” His fingers twitched with the urge to get started. “Kierce, you like it?”

“I prefer it to the alternative,” he said grimly, no doubt flashing back to sitting behind the wagon’s wheel.

“He made the drive without any hiccups today.” I let Pedro climb in next to him while I took up position on the driver’s side, the better to coach him while I walked home. “This is a better investment than the car.”

“You might be right,mija.” Pedro’s expression shifted into thoughtful lines, and he tapped Kierce on the shoulder. “The car would still be a worthwhile investment. If you’re ready to upgrade when the time comes, you can. If you prefer the golf cart, you can keep it and sell the car for a profit.”

Having seen the tree trunk at Bonaventure stuffed with gold, gems, and cash, I knew money wasn’t a concern of Kierce’s. But I wouldn’t steal Pedro’s excitement to work on a new project car if Kierce had no objections.

“I like the idea.” Kierce offered Pedro a hesitant smile. “Options are good.”

“There we have it.” Pedro rubbed his hands together. “We’ll overhaulbothvehicles.”

For a man who worked on cars for a living, his excitement at the prospect of more work was endearing.

We made it halfway home before a flicker of purple caught my eye, and Vi fell in step beside me.

A new crucifix adorned her neck, no doubt a gift from a client. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Good morning to you too.” I checked her over, but she could manipulate how she appeared, which meant I couldn’t gauge her health based on her projection alone. “How are you feeling?”

“I drank a pot of chicory coffee this morning and ate my weight in fresh beignets.” She did a little dance. “I feel like a new woman.”

“That’s the caffeine and the sugar talking.” I couldn’t help the pang of longing that pierced me to be so far from her I couldn’t bask in her comforting warmth whenever I was on the receiving end of one of her legendary hugs. “Not to be a party pooper, but didn’t we agree to a nice, safe video chat?”

“Some things are best taught in person.” She fidgeted with her bangles. “I can’t get used to the sight of you. You’re so bright. Makes me wish I had worn sunglasses.” She drew a circle with her finger. “But there’s darkness too. How does it shine so?”

“The halo thing?”

“Your soul.” She clucked her tongue. “We need to get you upstairs and into bed to begin.”

Sure enough, we had already reached the shop. I hadn’t noticed the looseness in my gait as my muscles stretched during the short walk. I needed to start running again. Get back into a routine. So much was clogging my brain with no way to flush it with my schedule so packed with such dire tidings.

Pedro inclined his head to Vi in a show of respect then set out for the garage.

Josie wouldn’t be here for an hour or so yet, and after last night, her absence ached like a sore tooth.

“I examined your dirt,” Vi said as I hit the stairs leading up to the apartments. “There’s so much divine contamination, I couldn’t sense any other energies or magics.”

“Thanks for checking.” I let us into my apartment, holding the door from habit. “I appreciate it.”

After climbing in bed to prevent my body from taking a nasty tumble, I settled in for instruction.

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