more geared toward tourists passing through than for the people who lived in the area. It was a shame to see some of the changes from what she’d held as fond childhood memories.
Some things would probably never change and that was the barbershop quartet. Mr. Matheson was the eldest and had held his chair from when she’d been in high school, and he never missed a thing. As she started across the street now, he watched her—so did the others.
“You stepping inside?” Rosa asked, pulling her out of her reverie.
Rosa was forever fifty, but was probably close to ninety now. Her hair was pure white and her brown wrinkled face had aged well, and she always had a welcoming smile. Although she smiled now for Saige, the elderly woman had a frown marring her brow.
Saige smiled. “I am. How are you today?”
“Just fine.”
Saige went to step past Rosa but paused when the other woman took hold of her wrist. “I never believed that young man had anything to do with your abduction,” she whispered before skittering away like a scared mouse.
Saige frowned after her as she continued into the pharmacy. Did Rosa know something?
Rubbing her brow, Saige turned and met Paul’s gaze. The minute she did, Paul looked away and continued with his work. His hands shook the closer Saige got to him.
Saige glanced around and noticed he was alone, which was good. If Agnes had been there, then Saige’s chances of talking to the man would have been zero.
“Afternoon, Paul,” she said, hoping to put him at ease. “It’s too warm to be outside and I started reminiscing about the milkshakes that your mother used to sell here. Do you remember? They were so popular that the kids would grumble when she closed that down during the winter months.”
Paul smiled. “I remember,” he mumbled. “You used to like the strawberry, peanut butter one.” He screwed his face up. “I remember trying that one and it made me sick.”
“It was my favorite back then. I don’t think I could drink it now though. Now I’m more of a coffee drinker than anything.” She smiled. “How are you doing?”
He hesitated. “I’m doing well. Still hoping to get away from small-time life, but it isn’t easy,” he whispered. “Everyone knows something about someone else that can get them into trouble. I know it’s what happens when you live in a place like Port Jude, but I hate that. At least, no one knows my secret.” He grinned but it didn’t reach his eyes. A chill raced down her spine forcing her to take a step back.
“Paul,” Agnes snapped, coming through the front door, “get back to work.”
Saige hesitated before she moved further away from Paul and turned to Agnes. “I’m sorry. That was my fault. We were just talking about the milkshakes you used to make. I’m sorry, again.” Saige made her way outside and sagged in relief.
Paul had looked at her strangely and the chill she’d felt had been real. Which begged the question as to what secret did he have that no one else knew about?
She bet at least one person knew his secret, and she knew where to start as she glanced across the street.
Mr. Matheson watched her watching them. It was a surprise when he stood and said something to his friends, then disappeared around the side of the store.
Saige darted across the street and down the side of the hardware store, heading toward where Mr. Matheson disappeared.
“You’re going to get into trouble if you keep asking questions, especially if you keep going over there.” Mr. Matheson pointed toward the pharmacy.
She ignored him. “You wanted me to come after you?”
“I couldn’t very well talk to you with the others around, now could I?” He shook his head. “Please stay away from there. Paul isn’t...right in the head. I don’t trust him and you shouldn’t either.”
“Do you know what’s going on? How I can help Quinten?” He looked around and started to back away from Saige. “Tell your detective friend to look closely at the locals…”
“But who?” Saige asked.
He glanced toward the pharmacy and said, “Paul.” With his final word, he returned to his friends.
Slowly walking back the way she came, Saige was confused about Paul. He had given her chills, but surely she’d know if he had been the one to take her. Wouldn’t she? She’d gotten the sense that Quinten was innocent when she saw him on TV, so why wouldn’t she feel something was more off than normal with Paul?
She would go crazy before this whole damn thing was over with.
Back on Main Street, Saige was about to step off the sidewalk to head back to her car when Coulter pulled up in front of her. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you,” he stated, climbing from his car.
Saige quickly checked her cell and realized she somehow managed to switch it to silent. “Sorry. Have you heard anything?”