Redemption (Amos Decker #5)(27)

“Mary initiated this whole thing, Amos. It wasn’t my idea. But I have a life to live.”

“What about Sandy?”

“We’re splitting custody, but I’ll have her more. Mary’s schedule is too crazy.”

“And she’s okay with that?”

“She suggested it.”

“What’s going on with her? Why the divorce? Why letting you get Sandy? This isn’t making sense.”

Earl looked uncomfortable. “She’s a cop. She’s got…It’s a lot of pressure.”

“Do you want to get divorced, Earl?”

“I don’t have a choice, do I? It’s not like I can stop her.”

Decker glanced at the woman again. She smiled, but when he didn’t return it, she abruptly looked away.

“Well, regardless, I think you’ve already made your choice.”

Earl’s features turned angry. “I don’t need to be judged by you, okay?”

“I’m not judging anybody. I’m simply making an observation. If I’m wrong, tell me so and I’ll say I’m sorry.”

Earl’s anger dissipated. “Look, it’s true, Nancy and I are seeing each other. But Mary and I stopped…well, we stopped living really as husband and wife a while back. If you know what I mean. And I didn’t start seeing her until Mary told me our marriage was over. I swear to God.”

“I believe you. And how is Sandy taking it?”

“She doesn’t really understand.”

“I think she probably understands more than you think.”

“We’ll get by. We have to.”

“No argument there. Hope everything works out for you. All of you,” he added.

“I know why you’re in town. Mary told me. The Hawkins case. You know one of the victims, David Katz, owned this place?”

Decker nodded. “And now his widow does. You know Rachel Katz?”

“Yeah, I know her. She’s involved in lots of projects around town.”

“She apparently has big plans for Burlington.”

“Well, the town needs a shot of energy. Glad she’s doing what she’s doing.”

“Okay,” said Decker.

“I, uh, better be getting back. Good to see you, Amos.”

“Yeah.”

Earl retreated to his table, where Decker watched him and the woman named Nancy talking and snatching glances at him. He picked up his menu and waved the waitress over after he’d made his decision. She was in her thirties, tall and skinny. A young man was behind her. She introduced him as Daniel, a trainee. He looked to be in his twenties, with dark hair and sharply defined features. He smiled shyly and then watched the waitress, his order pad held out like hers.

When Decker ordered, she smiled and wrote it down. “That’s a lot of food.”

“Well, I’m a lot of guy,” replied Decker.

Daniel laughed along with the waitress.

When his meal came, he ate it methodically, all the while looking around the restaurant. When Earl and his friend left, they did not look in his direction, for which Decker was glad. He was not adept at these moments. Things he could say before his brain injury were impossible to get out now, even if the underlying emotions were inside him. Or else he would blurt out the wrong thing and make everyone uncomfortable.

Mary divorcing. So that was the explanation for her odd behavior. He felt sorry for both Earl and her. Yet he felt sorriest of all for Sandy. He would like to talk to Mary about it but was afraid he would just botch it.

He finished his meal and ordered a cup of coffee. Whenever the door opened, a chilly wind leaked into the space. He would have to get a heavier coat if he was going to stay here much longer. He wasn’t that far removed from the days when the only clothes he had were the ones he was wearing.

As he was drinking his coffee, a voice said, “Why do I think you’re not really here for the food?”

Decker looked up to see Captain Miller standing next to his table. He was dressed in a suit, but his necktie was loosened. He might have just come from work.

He sat down across from Decker.

Decker said, “I saw Earl. And his lady friend, Nancy.”

Miller slowly nodded. “Okay. Then you know.”

“I know they’re getting divorced. And I heard his side of things. Not Mary’s.”

“Then you need to ask Mary for her take, if you want to. I suggested that to you back at the police station. So, any startling revelations come to you about this restaurant since you were here last?”

“The coffee still sucks.”

“Anything else?”

Decker looked around the mostly empty space.

“Why does Rachel Katz still own it?”





Chapter 16



COCOON, THOUGHT DECKER.

At their meeting Rachel Katz had crossed her arms and legs before settling in to answer his more serious questions. People often cocooned like that when they were getting ready to lie, or at least be evasive. It was as though they were wrapping themselves in themselves, to keep everyone else out. It was an instinctual physical reaction with people, and even though it wasn’t a foolproof indicator of someone lying, Decker had found it pretty accurate.

So, what was she lying or being evasive about?