Joe’s expression turned sympathetic. “I heard about what happened today. At your coffee shop. Are you okay?”
“Everyone keeps asking me that.”
“Because everyone’s worried,” Gina said gently.
“I’m fine. I just want to run and not think about dead bodies or murder arrests or any of it for an hour.”
“Fair enough,” Nick said. “Looks like they’re about ready.” He gestured toward the rest of the group.
Steph motioned them over. “You all ready?” she asked as they approached.
“Are you running?” She was wearing sandals instead of runners, her right pinky toe taped to the toe beside it.
“Not today. It hurts to even walk. I’m not at all happy about it.”
Brooke understood. “Have you started training?”
“Am I ever not training?” Steph laughed. “But yeah. Loosely. The real training happens when the weather shifts.”
Like Brooke, Steph loved trail running. But, unlike Brooke, she’d successfully completed several one hundred milers, including the elusive Moose Range Run 100 that Brooke couldn’t seem to conquer.
A few years earlier, Steph had started winter racing, taking on shorter distances in snow and cold before tackling an ultramarathon that crossed the Continental Divide. Brooke admired Steph’s spirit and dedication, butthought her goal was way too ambitious. Even the training, alone in the snow and cold, could be deadly.
“Okay, gang,” Steph said. “I’ll be waiting here to cheer you on when you finish the loop.”
They were about to head out when a red sports car pulled into the parking lot. Adam climbed out, dressed in running gear.
“Who invited him?” Gina murmured.
“I didn’t know he ran with the group,” Nick said quietly.
“He doesn’t,” Brooke replied, watching as Adam grabbed a water bottle from his vehicle. “Or at least he never has before.”
Adam jogged over. “Hope you don’t mind me joining. I need to keep in shape for work, and running alone gets boring.”
“The more the merrier,” Joe said, though his tone suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced.
They set off on the loop, the group naturally spread out based on pace, with faster runners pulling ahead and slower ones dropping back.
Brooke found herself in the middle of the pack with Gina, Nick, Joe, and Adam. Exactly where she didn’t want to be, given Adam’s presence.
“So,” Adam said, matching her stride, “how are you doing? Really?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’ve been through a lot. Finding the body, then discovering Tyler was involved.”
“Allegedly involved,” Brooke corrected, her breath coming faster as they hit a slight incline.
“Sure, sure. Allegedly.” Adam’s tone suggested he didn’t believe in Tyler’s innocence for a second. “I justwant you to know we’re building a strong case. We’ll get the evidence to convict him, not only for Sheila’s death but for his wife and son too.”
Brooke stumbled, caught off guard by the vehemence in Adam’s voice, but she caught herself before she went down. “You really believe that?”
“I know it. Tyler Gillis is a dangerous man, Brooke. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
“He’s in jail.”
“For now. But he sees the judge in the morning and might get bail. If he does, I need you to promise me you’ll stay away from him.”
