Connections, Conflict & Murder (A Stacie Maroni Mystery Book 4) by Christa Nardi

Author:Christa Nardi [Nardi, Christa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

H alsey handed the young woman her beer as Trina approached her and identified herself. The two of them walked off to a high top table in the shadows. We all crowded around as Halsey provided information as he mixed drinks. He’d done due diligence and carded her.

“Name is Eva Maldonado, age 22, lives in Reston. I asked about her job. She said she works at some research center in DC. That’s all I got.”

O’Hare nodded. “That’s good.” He’d written down what Halsey said and added her description. Hispanic, long brown hair pulled back, brown eyes, average height, average weight. She was dressed as would be expected for someone leaving work to go to happy hour, in nice pants and a top, a small purse hanging across her chest. Other than at Creekview, which catered to an older crowd, Eva would blend easily into a crowd.

“There are two guys at a high top in the other corner. I spotted them when I visited the restroom. Jolene served them.” Marina nodded in Jolene’s direction as she approached the bar.

She chuckled. “When you folks all show up? The night tends to become very interesting.”

O’Hare cleared his throat. “The two men in the corner?”

“Never saw them before. They’re drinking beer. They stop talking when I walk over to check on them. Not very chatty and that’s okay with me.”

“Description?”

She hesitated. “White, early to mid-thirties? One has on glasses and strikes me as a nerd. He hasn’t said a word to me. The other is the one who orders and talks until I get in earshot.”

O’Hare nodded to a small group at a table. Marina smiled and Jolene’s face lit up.

“Them? They might as well reserve that table. Interns and residents at the hospital. For the last two weeks, they’re here almost every day for happy hour. Numbers vary and who makes it, but they’re regulars. And surprisingly, not bad tippers.”

Marina and Halsey nodded agreement. O’Hare stiffened as the door opened. Some of us weren’t as good as he was at not looking to see who arrived. I groaned to myself and tensed up. Rick.

“Hi, Murdock. Thanks for stopping by.” O’Hare watched for my reaction and I relaxed. Rick was backup and not stalking me.

We all chatted and waited for Trina. Jolene made the rounds while we listened to the music. To not be too obvious, O’Hare pulled Marina onto the dance floor. Rick looked at me and I shook my head. Jillian caught our interaction and stepped in. “Come on, we can’t leave them alone out there.”

I watched them dance until Halsey whispered, “Heads up. Door.”

I casually glanced around and smiled at Jolene kidding with the hospital crew. Then, I looked to the end of the bar and back to Halsey. “Another, please.”

He chuckled and added more wine to my glass before walking to the other end of the bar to get the man’s drink order. Dressed in jeans and a sports shirt, there was nothing distinctive about the man, other than that he rested on his elbows, effectively blocking a view of his face from my position.

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