could hear his footsteps receding down the empty hallway.
He dropped the stack of papers on the desk and leaned on it with both hands.
Feelings. Chemical reactions in the brain. Usually caused more trouble than
good, in his experience. That and trying to help someone and then getting reamed for telling the truth. He rubbed his hand through his hair. There was that
scent of Kate again. Lucky You? Yeah, right.
He went to wash his hands.
* * *
Kate rummaged through her purse. “Carol, you have anything for a headache?”
Her temples were pounding so hard it felt like her brain was going to bump out
of her skull.
Tommy the cat appeared and swirled around her leg, looking for attention.
“You're not helping,” she told him. He gave up and eased toward the kitchen.
Carol breezed in past him, a concerned look on her face. “Your head hurts?”
“Just a bit. Not sure if it was the cold air or what.” Kate slumped in the easy
chair and propped her feet up on the black ottoman in front of it.
Carol nodded. “Yes, cold air can do that sometimes.” She bustled back to the
kitchen.
Kate followed her, eyes narrowed. Seemed like every other thing Carol said
had some hidden meaning. Or was she just being paranoid?
She leaned back, hand on her forehead. Carol returned with some pills and a
glass of water.
“Here you go, dear.” She sat on the edge of the couch near Kate. “So, how
was your drive?”
“Fine.” Kate popped the two pills and chased them with the water.
“Just fine?” Carol was smiling but seemed worried by that answer.
“Just fine, yes. Fine is sometimes just…fine.” She rubbed her throbbing
temples.
“I suppose a lot of the town seems different?”
“Some.” Actually, most of it seemed pretty much the same. She had gotten
used to the fast changes of life around Chicago. Boutiques and restaurants popping up and disappearing like dandelions. Small towns seemed a little more
loyal to existing businesses. Maybe because nothing much ever changed.
“It was a nice day for a drive. I'm sure Peter enjoyed seeing you again.”
Had he? She wasn't so sure. She wasn't so sure she had. Her temples
thumped. “I suppose.”
“Did he take you past the Community Center?”
She had to think. “The old school? Yes.”
“Oh, good. I mean, I wanted you to see it sometime while you were here.”
Kate cocked an eye at her friend. There seemed to be something on her mind. Carol sat with her hands folded on her lap, just staring at her as if she had
something she wanted to blurt out but was afraid to. She was as transparent as thin air.
“Well, I was there, and we saw it. You can check it off the list.”
