"Who knows?"
"Maybe a letter? Or a gift of some sort, a photograph," she suggested.
Jax gazed around the crowded room, which included remnants of not only the nightclub but also the printing business. "Nothing jumps out. I'm sure if she did leave something, it's long gone."
"Probably. It's time to talk to Walter. Tell him what we know and see if he can fill in some blanks."
"He's going to want to come here."
"Ellen seemed comfortable with leaving us here alone. Maybe she'd be fine to let Walter in here, too." As she breathed in more dusty air, her nose wrinkled, and she let out a sneeze.
"Let's get out of here," Jax said, heading toward the door. "I need fresh air."
They made their way up the stairs and into the bookstore. Ellen gave them a smile as they stopped by the checkout counter. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
"We're not sure," she said. "Would it be okay if we brought our friend here?"
"Well, I don't know. It's such a mess down here."
"But it still feels like the nightclub he once frequented," she said. "It wouldn't take long."
"I guess that's fine, if you think it will help him with his memories."
"I really do."
“Alright. But I'm only here until noon today, so it will have to be tomorrow. My husband has a doctor's appointment in the morning, but I'll be here around one, so any time after that."
"That's great. We'll check in with Walter and see when he's available. Thanks again. We really appreciate it."
"Memories are tricky things," Ellen said. "My mother had Alzheimer's, and she would remember the oddest things. But it was the elusiveness of her thoughts that bothered her the most. I understand that it can be important to try to pin down those memories."
"Thanks for understanding."
"You look familiar," Ellen said suddenly, her gaze moving to Jax. "What was your name again?"
"Jax Ridley."
"I feel like I've seen you before."
"I've been in town a few months. I stopped in once before to get a book."
"Maybe that was it."
"Thanks again for your help," he said, then headed out the door.
She had to jog down the street to catch up with him at the car. "Why the hurry?" she asked as he unlocked the car.
"You want to talk to Walter, don't you?"
"Yes," she said, but she didn't think that accounted for his sudden sense of urgency. She thought it had more to do with Ellen Danbury saying she recognized him.
As she fastened her seat belt, she couldn't help asking the question. "Are you famous, Jax?"
He shot her a hard look. "We're not getting personal, remember?"
"I don't think that was a personal question. You're bothered that Ellen thought she knew you. And if you are famous, that would explain why you spend so much time in your apartment."
"I don't want to talk about it, Kaia. Let's focus on Walter and what we're going to tell him."
