Page 36 of Hart of Darkness
Syd pressed his fat fingers on the counter. “I don’t keep addresses and phone numbers on my clients, and she was alone each time she came in. Also no upcoming appointments either if that was your next question.”
I got the feeling Syd was in tune to answering questions like this. After all, Detective Hughes had been in the shop once before to ask questions.
I stretched out my hand to Syd. “Thanks for your help.”
He gave me a pitiful look as we shook. “I hope you find her.” Then he grabbed a pen and paper from the counter. “Give me your name and number, and if she comes in, I’ll give you a call.”
After I scribbled down my info, which was barely legible, I stalked to the door, needing to rid my lungs of the cigar smell drifting around.
Syd cleared his throat. “Wait. I remembered something.”
I gripped the doorknob and swore if he said something likeshe was in here yesterday,I would destroy everything in the shop.
“I overheard Emily talking on the phone the last time she was here about meeting someone at a bar called the Crow, if that helps.”
I wanted to scream at him not to call her Emily. I didn’t need a reminder of the woman who had left her children with the monster from hell. I did, however, wonder why Grace would use the name Emily. She hardly knew our mother. Grace had been two when our mother had walked out the door without even a goodbye or an “I’ll be back for you kids soon.”
I thanked Syd one last time and got the hell out into the fresh air before my lungs disintegrated into ash. I didn’t even wait for Maggie. I walked up and down the street, stomping my feet into the uneven pavement and shaking my head as if I were a second away from seriously losing my mind.
Maggie leaned against my car, giving me the space I needed to cool down. I was going to need more than a bucket of ice to temper the madness taking hold of me.
After another round of pacing, I stopped near Maggie, bent over, and braced my hands on my thighs. The woman was seeing me lose my shit, but I didn’t care.
I counted to ten slowly, breathing in the scents of the city, which were far better than the stench of cigars. Then I righted myself and focused on Maggie.
Her braid spilled down her chest. Sparkles glimmered around her eyes from the light-green eye shadow she was wearing that highlighted the dark green in her eyes. Her hands were tucked in her pockets, and she didn’t give me any sense that she felt sorry for me.
“Are you ready to head to the Crow?” she asked.
