“Did you happen to notice the boy I was just talking to?”
“I noticed.”
Of course he had. Sam doubted t
hat very much in this town escaped the police chief’s attention. “He said his name is Zach. Do you know him?”
“I recognized him. I don’t know every kid in town, of course, but I’ve seen that one a couple of times.”
“Professionally?”
“Why do you ask?”
“His face was bruised. Maybe he just fell off his bike, but it looked a little suspicious.”
Dan frowned and looked in the direction in which the boy had disappeared. “I’ll try to find an excuse to check on him later.”
“So there is a problem?” Sam thought of the general air of dejectedness he’d detected in the boy’s posture.
“Let’s just say that not every adult in Edstown is a model citizen.”
“He seemed like a nice kid.”
“I’ll check up on him,” Dan promised again, and Sam got the message that he needn’t pursue the matter any further. “How are things going at the diner?”
“Busy. Marjorie’s got a thriving business there.”
“Yeah. The Rainbow Café’s the place to go for lunch. Good breakfast crowd, too.”
“Tell me about it. I can’t keep the coffee cups filled fast enough.”
Dan scratched his chin. “I’ve got to admit, I never would have pegged you as a busboy.”
Refusing to take offense, Sam only shrugged. “I’m also a waiter. And a dishwasher when necessary.”
“You’re content with that?”
“For now. At least until I’m out of debt and back to full speed.” Which included the return of his memory, of course, he added silently.
“Just so you know, I haven’t given up on catching the guys who mugged you. I’m still pursuing every lead, no matter how slim, but it looks like your attackers have left the area.”
Flooded with guilt as he thought of the time Dan had wasted chasing this particular wild goose, Sam cleared his throat. When he’d impulsively concocted that tale, he’d been too groggy from medication and trauma, and dazed by the realization that his memory was gone, to give much thought to repercussions. It had been incredibly stupid on his part, as so many of his actions had been since Serena found him.
“About those guys, Chief,” he began, only to be interrupted by a woman’s husky voice.
“Dan! Here you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
For the first time, Sam saw the police chief look flustered—but only for a moment. Whatever the expression had meant, Dan masked it immediately. “Hey, Lindsey. What’s the big emergency this time?”
The petite redhead studied both men with curious bright green eyes, then focused on Sam. “You must be Serena’s stranger.”
He had to smile at her wording. “I’m Sam Wallace.”
“Lindsey Gray.” She held out her hand. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you, but Serena wouldn’t let me.”
“Probably afraid you’d worry him back into the hospital with your nosy questions,” Dan muttered.
Lindsey shot him a look, but spoke again to Sam. “I’m a reporter for the Evening Star. I’d like to talk to you about what happened—the mugging, I mean. The story I ran about you was awfully sketchy, and I’d like more details. We don’t see that sort of crime around here very often and I—”