Her Frozen Cry (Detective Amanda Steele)

“Sounds good to me.”

They didn’t say much more as they drove to Hannah’s Diner.

May Byrd met them at the counter, a grim expression eating her face. “How is he?”

Amanda shouldn’t be surprised that May had heard about Malone. Rumors in this town hit May’s ears at a shocking speed. “Scott Malone?”

“Who else?”

“Doctors don’t know yet.”

May put a hand over Amanda’s, which was resting on the counter. “We stay positive, and we pray. We leave the matter in God’s hands.”

Amanda pressed her lips but said nothing. From her experience, God wasn’t too hands-on. “They are going to be conducting tests on him today to see what caused him to pass out. I’m not sure how much you heard.” Amanda was comfortable sharing all this with her, as May was a long-time friend of the Malones.

“Just that he careened up onto the Lamberts’ lawn and hit their gazebo. People thought he was drunk at first.”

That word drunk had anger curdling inside her. “There’s no way he’d drink and drive.”

“No, I’d say not, and when it became apparent who was behind the wheel, everyone knew it had to be a health issue or mechanical failure that caused the accident.” May filled two extra-large cups with coffee. “Here. They’re on the house today. Looks like you two could use all the caffeine you can get.”

“Pretty much. Thank you.” Amanda lifted her cup toward May.

“Just be careful on the roads yourselves, eh? Neither of you look like you’ve gotten much sleep.”

“Hence, the caffeine.” Amanda smiled at the woman, hoping that would be enough to assuage her concerns.

Trent and Amanda each ordered a bagel with cream cheese before they left—not that she thought she could get it down and keep it there.

They both knocked back their coffees as they drove to Paws & Claws in Woodbridge. Trent munched on his bagel, while she left hers in the bag.

He seemed about as preoccupied as she was, and they didn’t talk much on the way. He parked in the lot of the veterinary clinic, and she was as ready as she ever would be to face this day.

“Let’s get some answers.” She led the way inside the building.