Omens (Cainsville 1)

"As you can see, I spoke the truth. This is all I have. If you insist, you're welcome to it."

Her voice rose as she spoke, taking on an air of desperation. A car whooshed past. Then a second, a loose tailpipe rumbling, and she wanted to leap to her feet, cry out for help, but she knew it would do no good. Drivers would pass oblivious, intent on their destination.

The breathing grew louder, as if he was leaning over the table to take the twenty. Good. Just take it. Please take--

A drop of rain fell on her arm. She swiped it. As she did, she felt something she hadn't felt in forty years. A sensation she'd never forget. Her flesh burning.

Anita screamed. She scrambled up from the seat so fast it toppled over and she fell with it, legs tangling in the bench, taking her down, her hands still raised against her attacker.

Footsteps pounded across the pavement. Hands grabbed her. She fought, screaming.

"Lady!" The voice was young, female. "I gotcha, lady. You're okay."

A male voice, just as young. "Here."

More hands, grabbing her arms to help her up. As she rose from the concrete, her glasses slid off. She tried to grab them, but it was too late.

She heard the boy suck in breath. "Jesus. What--?"

"Don't," the girl whispered to him. A clatter as she snatched up the glasses and pushed them into Anita's hands.

Anita put them on quickly. The chair scraped the concrete. The girl's soft hands helped her into it.

"You're okay," the girl whispered.

"S-someone was here," Anita said. "Did you see him?"

Silence.

"Did you see anyone?" she said.

"There was a chick and a guy," the girl said. "Blond chick. Big dude. We passed them."

The lawyer and the girl. Anita's mouth went dry.

"When? Where?"

"Few minutes ago. Down the road. Darnell nearly smacked into the guy coming around the corner. Scared the crap outta him."

The boy grunted. "Dude wasn't that big."

The girl chuckled.

"Anyone else?" Anita said. "Anyone running away just now?"

"Nah."

"No, sorry, ma'am."

Anita cursed under her breath. Had she imagined the whole thing? Memories of the acid attack sending her brain into a tailspin?

She brushed her fingers over the spot on her arm and winced with the jolt of pain. No, someone had been here. Someone had warned her. But this time, she wasn't going to be frightened off.

Chapter Fifty-seven

We decided to drive to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to see Edgar Chandler, Evans's former thesis adviser, and his boss during his years with the CIA.

"Does it do any good to suggest I drop you in Cainsville?" Gabriel asked.