My usual route is about five miles, but I’ve got another one, a longer one, that I decide to take today. Turning left in front of my house instead of right, I jog down to Lincolnway, which is one of the main thoroughfares in Ames. From there, I head west past some of the dormitories and Welch Avenue. I’m tempted to stop at Cy’s to… what, talk to Luke? Have a beer? But, I don’t. Instead of turning onto Welch Avenue, I continue west.
By the time I’ve jogged to the large grocery store in west Ames, I know I’ve reached the halfway point. With my hands on my waist, I bend to take in some air. So far, all this run has done was wind me. My head’s still full of… well, full of thoughts I can’t seem to organize.
“Gage?”
Hearing my name makes me jump a little. It’s unexpected. Pulling myself up to stand, I look left.
“Over here.”
To my right, I see someone familiar. “Oh, hey, Kat.”
Stepping over to me, she smiles. “What’re you doing?”
I point to my attire. “Out for a run.” I look at her clothing. She’s got on a sweatshirt and exercise pants along with a cool pair of running shoes. “What about you?”
“Also out for a run.” She laughs. “The Beedle Babes have been taking morning walks for a while now, and it’s been good, but I decided to up my game and added a run to my routine twice a week. I’m working up to doing a 5K next spring.”
“Good for you.” I smile. “I’ve done a couple of those.”
“And would recommend them?”
“Sure. It’s a great goal.” I can’t think of anything else to say.
“Are you heading east or west?” she asks, pointing east.
“East. Heading back to my place.”
“Mind if I jog with you for a bit?” She blushes. “I’m sure you’ll want to pull away after a block, but we could start out together.”
Not really. I’d prefer to run alone, but I’m not going to be rude. “Sure.”
We start off at a slow pace, which is okay with me. I’m tired from, well, everything. My sleep schedule is off too, which isn’t helping.
“So, how’s the investigation going?” Kat asks.
I’m not sure why I say it, maybe because I’m tired, but I blurt, “I’m off the case.”
She stops running suddenly, “What? Why?”
“I started seeing the eyewitness.”
Kat’s blinking at me. Her face morphs from something pretty to something angry. Jamming her hands on her hips, she spits, “You’re sleeping with the person who told you that Tayler murdered Kara?”
“That’s not what she told me.”
“Let me rephrase that.” She glares at me., “So, you’re sleeping with the person who claims Tayler was at the murder scene.”
“Look, we’ve all but cleared Tayler, okay?” I sigh. “I started seeing her after I was sure Tayler was innocent.”
“Oh.” Her arms drop to her side. “Sorry.”
“I get it. You’re looking out for your friend. I’d do the same.” Hell, Iwasdoing the same.
“So, is that why you’re off the case?”
I point to the east and start my jog again. Kat follows suit.
“Yes. My boss, the captain, told me to end things with her, but I—”
