You Can't Run by Hope Davis (best way to read books .txt) 📗

Atlas came up next to her. “What are you thinking?”

“I think he knows we’re out here. I think he leaves them for us. There is no other explanation.”

“I think you’re right. This is starting to feel a bit personal.”

Naya looked down at the woman who was so white she was almost transparent.

“I think we answered one question though.”

He looked at her with a question in his eyes and she gestured to the body.

“She looks almost bloodless. That is part of his ritual.”

“I hate that it took another young woman to die before we found out, but you’re right.”

“I hate it too.” Naya looked at her watch and shook her head. If she didn’t leave soon, she would not be making those dinner reservations.

Atlas shielded his eyes and looked out at the horizon. “As soon as the crime scene techs arrive, you can go. I’ll stay here while they process the scene, and we can reconvene in the morning.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. It’s not like we do much except stand awkwardly out of the way anyway.”

“Good point.”

A few minutes later the forensics and coroner’s vans turned off the main road, headed towards them.

Shortly after Naya gave a brief statement as to how they found the body she was in her car and speeding towards the restaurant. She would just barely make it.

Her stomach grumbled and she had to admit she was a bit excited for the restaurant her parents had chosen, the restaurant was known for their large portions and delicious cannoli’s.

She pulled up in the parking lot just as her parents were helping Vance into his wheelchair. She noticed there was a fourth figure with them and even from behind she could tell it was Kevin. She wondered how he had found himself with an invite to dinner.

She stepped out of her car and Kevin gave her a small wave. She waved back as she walked over and her parents both smiled when they saw her, she gave them each a long overdue hug.

“Naya.” Her dad whispered in her ear. “It’s good to see you.” She smiled and said the same thing back to him.

She knew he was curious about her case, but she really didn’t want to discuss the case with him at dinner, when she had just spent the last ten hours on it. Especially since she knew that she would go home and think about it more, only to wake up tomorrow to go to work again.

Kevin wheeled Vance in the restaurant, and Naya was a bit surprised he hadn’t tried to walk, but then again, this was probably better for him.

They were greeted by the host and led to a table in the corner for five. One chair was quickly removed so that Vance could be pushed directly up to the table.

“Wow, this is quite convenient.” He laughed, spreading his napkin over his lap as everyone else took their seats. Their mother tried to force a chuckle at his joke, but she could tell that her parents didn’t think Vance’s condition was a laughing matter.

Vance rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on, that was a great joke.”

“It was.” Naya agreed.

Naya conveniently ended up with Vance on her left and Kevin on her right.

As she began to skim the menu, her eyes caught on the eggplant parmesan. The server came over to ask about drinks and her parents ordered two bottles of red wine for the table in short order.

“Just water for me.” She whispered to the server as they went to set a wine glass in front of her.

“No wine?” Her mother questioned, she knew it had once been Naya’s favorite.

She shook her head. “It’s been a rough day. I’ve got to keep my head clear, and I’ll probably have to be up early tomorrow.” She took a quick peek at her phone to see if there was an update from Atlas. Nothing yet. Not that she expected much from the scene, it was probably just as clean as the last two.

She picked the menu back up and Kevin lifted his eyebrow as she caught his eye. She shook her head slightly. She didn’t feel like discussing it with him right now. She had noticed he had texted her a couple times throughout the day, but she had just been too busy to look at the texts. Now she felt a little guilty about not answering with him sitting beside her.

“Anyone want eggplant parmesan with me?” Naya asked. The portions here were family style, so she needed at least once person to go in with her for her to be able to justify ordering it.

“I’m in.” Vance smiled and put down his menu. “Everything looks so good that I’ll just dive right in with Naya.”

Naya smiled, but it felt fake, she knew Vance would eat next to nothing.

The server approached the table with the wine and quickly poured everyone except her a glass. Her parents ordered the classic spaghetti and Naya ordered the eggplant parmesan for her and Vance, Kevin decided to go big and try to conquer the clam spaghetti all by himself. The server offered to see if the kitchen could do a half-portion, but he told her not to bother and that he would enjoy the leftovers.

After the waitress left the table, Kevin and her parents began to chat about the weather and the differences between La Junta and Denver. Naya took the opportunity to talk with Vance.

“So how do you like Elliot?” She took a sip of her water.

“He’s nice. Him and Derek are both great.”

“You’re not just trying to make me feel less guilty, right?” Naya searched his face looking for any sort of deception.

“Now, would I ever do that?” He teased, reaching for a slice of bread from the basket