“I’m going to need—”
“—to be resourceful. It’s a small town. Everybody knows everybody. ”
“But—”
“Thanks. ” Meghann hung up.
Ten long minutes passed. Finally Rhona buzzed on line one.
“Here’s the number. It’s called Smitty’s Garage. ”
Meghann wrote down the number and stared at it. Her heart was beating quickly.
“This is ridiculous. ” She picked up the phone and dialed. With every ring, she had to fight the urge to hang up.
“Smitty’s Garage. ”
Meghann swallowed hard. “Is Joe there?”
“Just a sec. Joe!”
The phone clanged down, then was picked up. “Hello?”
“Joe? It’s Meghann. ”
There was a long pause. “I thought I’d seen the last of you. ”
“I guess it won’t be that easy. ” But the joke fell into silence. “I . . . uh . . . I have a deposition in Snohomish County on Friday afternoon. I’m sure you won’t want to . . . I shouldn’t have called, but I thought you might like to get together for dinner. ”
He didn’t answer.
“Forget it. I’m an idiot. I’ll hang up now. ”
“I could pick up a couple of steaks and borrow Smitty’s barbecue. ”
“You mean it?”
He laughed softly, and the sound of it released that achy tension in her neck. “Why not?”
“I’ll be there about six. Is that okay?”
“Perfect. ”
“I’ll bring wine and dessert. ”
Meghann was smiling when she hung up. Ten minutes later, Rhona buzzed her again.
“Ms. Dontess, your sister is on line two. She says it’s urgent. ”
“Thanks. ” Meg put on her headset and pushed the button. “Hey, Claire. Welcome back. Your flight must have been on time. Amazing. How was—?”
“I’m at the airport. I didn’t know who else to call. ” Claire’s voice was shaky; it almost sounded as if she was crying.
“What’s going on, Claire?”
“I don’t remember the flight from Nashville. I also don’t remember getting my luggage, but it’s right here. I don’t remember getting my keys or walking through the garage, but I’m sitting in my car. ”
“I don’t understand. ”