[Harbinger 01.0] Plain Jane by Carolyn McCray

Author:Carolyn McCray [McCray, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: international thriller
Published: 2013-11-16T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 57

Nicole’s ankle hurt, yet she walked on. Perhaps if the detective had known the second Starbucks was quite this far away, she might have reconsidered the closer coffee shop.

She had wanted to stretch her legs to get some relief from the awkward truce with Ruben. But now she found herself far outside Nancy’s block. Closer really to Rebecca’s neighborhood.

The street was dark and more than a little menacing. Most of the businesses were long closed. If she were not armed, Nicole might have even felt a little spooked. The only thing that kept her moving was the bright green and white neon sign at the end of the block. Hot coffee beckoned.

Slightly winded, she entered the aroma-filled restaurant. The place was empty except for a lone employee mopping the floors. Her grandfather would have called this type of guy a beatnik. Nicole would say he was more of a heroin chic.

How looking like a junkie became fashionable, she would never know, but this young man fit the bill. Fine, straggly hair. Thin, almost to the point of gaunt. The forest green and tan uniform did nothing for his sallow complexion. Yet for all those faults, the guy was attractive.

As a matter of fact, the more she looked at him, the more he fit Ruben’s profile. Could the killer be someone this innocuous? There were so many Starbucks in town that he could transfer all over the city, and they wouldn’t know it.

Nicole chided herself for letting her imagination run away with her. The walk in the dank night had made her more than a little paranoid.

Clearing her throat, Nicole said, “When you get a chance, I’d like a tall latte.” Then thinking about the long, late night she added, “And a double shot of espresso.”

The employee turned. “Sorry, we’re closed.”

Confused, Nicole looked at the door. But he was right. The place closed at midnight. Her memory had failed her. It was the store just a block and a half away from Nancy’s house that was a twenty-four-hour one.

Okay, she wasn’t going back to Ruben without coffee.

“Look, I know you’re closed, but I just walked… Like a hell of a long way. I’ll take anything you’ve got.”

“It’s the bottom of the pot.”

“Even better.”

This got a brief smile from the brooding youth. “It’s your intestinal lining.”

“I’ll take the risk.”

Nicole rubbed her hands together, trying to prepare for the long walk back as the employee poured her a tall coffee. He was about to throw out the rest of the pot when Nicole spoke up. “Is there enough for a second cup?”

The guy swirled the pot. “If you count the sludge.”

“We’ll have to make do.” Nicole watched as he stirred in the hot milk. How she wished Kent were here. He could tell her everything she needed to know about this guy. Like why did he dress like a slacker when obviously he had some intelligence under that grossly over-moussed hair? Guess maybe he thought it would help him score with the hipster chicks? Nicole seriously doubted it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.