No One Home by Ava Strong

Author:Ava Strong [Strong, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2023-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sofia sat in the driver's seat of her black Dodge Charger, observing the lounge through narrowed eyes. The sun cast long shadows across the nearly empty parking lot, with only a few vehicles scattered here and there—a testament to the quiet early afternoon. A slight breeze rustled the nearby trees, their leaves casting dappled patterns onto the pavement below.

"Place looks pretty dead," Ryan remarked from the passenger seat, his eyes scanning the area alongside hers.

"Perfect time to ask some questions, then," Sofia said. She could feel the anticipation building inside her as she prepared to confront Clark Weston, their latest suspect in this string of murders.

As they continued observing the unassuming exterior of the lounge, Sofia noticed a sign on the window advertising an upcoming poetry slam event. The vibrant colors and bold font caught her attention, and she pointed it out to Ryan.

"Hey, look at that," she said. "A poetry slam."

Ryan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Interesting. You think this Weston guy might be into poetry?"

"Could be," Sofia said, her mind working rapidly. "The killer has written us two poems, after all. If he's our guy, it certainly makes sense."

"Let's hope he is," Ryan said. He opened the car door and stepped out, pausing to stretch.

Gathering her thoughts and steeling herself for the confrontation ahead, Sofia followed suit, stepping out of the car and into the warm afternoon sun. Together, they approached the lounge.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Sofia and Ryan stepped into the dimly lit lounge. The air was cool and filled with the mingling scents of wood, leather, and a hint of cigarette smoke. Soft jazz music played in the background, setting a relaxed atmosphere that seemed to contrast with the tension building in Sofia's chest.

The lounge itself was a mix of modern and old-world charm, with polished dark wood floors and a long mahogany bar lined with plush red bar stools. A handful of patrons sat scattered throughout the room, sipping their drinks and engaged in hushed conversations. It was the perfect place for someone to blend in, to hide behind the veil of anonymity that the low lighting and muted colors provided.

"See Weston anywhere?" Ryan whispered, his eyes scanning the room.

Sofia shook her head, her gaze darting from one face to another. But as she looked around, her attention was drawn to a young waitress carrying a tray of empty glasses toward the bar. She had short, wavy blonde hair framing an oval face with expressive green eyes, a small upturned nose, and full lips. Her black uniform hugged her slender figure, and she moved with an effortless grace that seemed almost hypnotic.

"Let's ask her," Sofia suggested, nodding in the direction of the waitress.

As they approached, the waitress set the tray on the counter and turned toward them, her eyes widening slightly as she registered the determined expressions on their faces.

"Excuse me," Sofia said, trying to sound casual even as her heart raced. "Is Clark Weston working today?"

The waitress hesitated for just a moment before answering, her voice soft but steady.

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