I zoom in to see if I recognize them now that I’ve got a clearer view, but I don’t. Ben quickly flips the pages he was reading earlier on top of the pictures, then leans back in his chair like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I increase the volume in my headphones so I don’t miss a single word.
“I didn’t think the car would be ready for another week.”
Shane shrugs. “You know how Eddie is, he’s already got another one coming in so we needed to get it finished.”
“Well, wasn’t expecting this today but it’s all good,” Ben says. “Glad you’ve got some more business. And hey, I’m happy to recommend y’all to anyone looking to restore a car, because I wasn’t really sure you were going to be able to pull it off. That car looked like it should’ve been in a scrap yard when I brought it to you. It’s incredible what you managed to do.”
Eddie laughs but it sounds forced. They chat for a few minutes about the car and what work was done to it.
Shane leans forward and pulls a piece of paper from his back pocket then hands it to Ben. “Here’s the final bill and she’s all yours.”
I can’t believe Ben bought a muscle car. This is not like him at all—something strange is going on, especially given the Shane guy poked around in the garage when he first got here.
“Oh, sure.” Ben takes the bill and studies it for a long moment. While he’s distracted with the invoice, both men take in everything around them. Eyes scan the room. But it’s not just a cursory glance. They’re studying the room like there’s going to be a test later. Then Shane looks right at me. Or rather, right at the camera.
I jump back slightly. Does he see it hidden in the bookshelf?
Then he smiles.
Startled, I drop the iPad in my lap.
It’s like he knows someone is watching.
That I’m watching.
Finally, he looks away when Ben stands up from the desk, check in hand. The guys stand too, and Ben comes around the side of the desk.
“Thanks again,” Ben says as he hands Eddie the check. There’s another round of handshakes between them, then he’s escorting the guys out of his office.
Shane pulls open the front door but doesn’t leave. Instead, he turns to Ben. “We appreciate your business. Still not sure how you found us but hey, we’re glad you did.”
Ben pauses a moment, watching Shane. Finally, he says, “My partner, Hank, gave me your name.”
“Well, cool. Not sure who he is but tell him thanks.”
Then they’re gone. Ben stands in the open doorway then raises his hand in one final wave before the old truck pulls away from the house. He doesn’t move until they have turned out of the driveway.
Then he slams the door shut.
Ben returns to his office, the frustration back and clearer than ever. I take in every detail, from the frown lines digging into his forehead to the cruel twist of his mouth to the balled-up fists that support him as he leans over the desk. Studying whatever is there in front of him.
He doesn’t move for a long time.
Ben finally turns around to his computer and plugs in the drive he took from the envelope before Shane and Eddie arrived.
After a few clicks, Aubrey’s face fills the screen.
Chapter 11
Hank
AFTER THE ALIBI
Monday, October 12
My assistant, Lila, riffles through the mountain of paper on my desk while I rub my hands across my face. I ended up sleeping on the couch last night instead of going home, and by the way my body feels this morning, I’m going to regret that decision all day.
“I picked up your dry cleaning on my way in so at least you’ll have a clean suit to put on.”
