Page 129 of See You Again
Cami tucked it under her arm. “Let me grab the notebook and microphone from my desk, and we can get on the road.”
When she was gone. James turned to the receptionist.
“Thanks again for the heads up yesterday.”
Gerry’s normally cheerful expression sobered. “She’s always looking out for everyone else. Someone needs to look out for her now and then.” He stared pointedly at James. “She’s special.”
“I know.”
“Ready?” Cami appeared again, a sunny smile on her face. “I can’t wait to show this to Mark.” She looked at Gerry. “I’ll be back after lunch to record the next episode. Anything new on the tip lines?”
“Just the regular weirdos. Nothing new.” Gerry didn’t look at James.
“It’s okay. I told him about the threats and the flowers. Now that we are pretty sure it’s Crawford, that kind of threat doesn’t seem like his style.”
James couldn’t help the sense of foreboding, even as he agreed. “He’s more a come-right-at-you type.”
“Looks like it was a basement dweller, after all. Come on. I don’t want to be late.”
James wished he was as confident as she was that there wasn’t still a threat.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
James pulled open the glass door of the diner and then stepped back to let Cami enter in front of him. She easily spotted Mark in a booth against the back wall. Cami gave a little wave as she walked towards him. Mark grinned at her, his face falling when he saw James close behind.
“Mark, this is James. James, this is Mark, Detective Barlow. He’s in charge of Amy’s case.”
Mark lifted partly out of his seat and shook James's hand when he offered it. “Nice to meet you.” His jaw set. “Do you work on the podcast?”
James smiled.
“No, he doesn't work with us. He gave me a ride today. I’ve been having car issues,” Cami explained.
The detective’s shoulders relaxed, but his expression was still cautious. Cami almost jumped when James's hand closed over hers on top of the table.
“I couldn't leave my girlfriend stranded, could I? Today was too important.”
Mark looked down at where their hands were joined, and his mouth turned down. Cami couldn't yank away without causing a scene.
Was James still jealous? And why did that thought send a thrill through her?
“I didn't realize you were in a relationship.” Mark's voice was carefully neutral.
“It's fairly new,” Cami said, hoping to soften the blow.
“New this time.” James’s thumb stroked over her fingers, sending tingles of electricity up her arm. “But we've known each other for a very long time. When I ran into her recently, I realized I couldn’t miss my chance again. She’s not the type you let slip through your fingers.”
“That’s sweet,” she said with a tight smile.
What the hell is he doing?
“I see.” Mark sat straighter.
Cami stepped on James's foot underneath the table. He released her hand, and she swiftly pulled it into her lap.
“I met with the Hawthornes this morning. I let them know that we were pursuing further DNA testing, but I didn’t tell them about the partial match.” His tone was professional, but his normal friendly manner was gone. “Unless we come up with something to match, it doesn’t do us much good, and I don’t want to get their hopes up.”
The server arrived. “Turns out I only have time for a coffee.”