it.” “Asshole!” “Do you want me to drive you to a hotel here instead? You can

make arrangements to go home tomorrow. Well, it’s already tomorrow, but I mean

later in the day.” “No. I’m wide awake now. Let’s just get on the road.” He

locked up the bar after setting the alarm system and they walked to his van.

They climbed in and, to her credit, she didn’t complain about the condition of

the interior. She curled up in her seat and closed her eyes. “I’ll need

directions,” lied Rogers. “Get on Sixty-Four going towards Norfolk. I’ll tell

you from there.” “Okay.” He drove onto the interstate and settled back in his

seat.

 

She gave him directions as needed, though he knew the way and they were soon

nearing the Outer Banks. Traffic was nonexistent at this time of morning. “Have

you known Mr. Quentin a long time?” Rogers asked.

 

She looked at him with puffy eyes. “Why?” “No reason. Just making conversation.”

“Well, stop. I don’t know you.” “Sorry.” He gazed out the windshield at the

coming dawn, thinking that she was right around the same age as the dead women.

“About five years,” she said abruptly.

 

He glanced at her. She was staring at him. “I’ve known him about five years.”

“Ms. Myers says he’s very successful. A real up-and-comer.” “I guess you could

say that.” “Guy obviously has money.” “Oh, he’s got money all right.” “How’d you

two meet? Must have been after college. I know he’s thirty.” “Why do you think I

went to college?” He shrugged. “Don’t most young people these days go to

college?” “Did you go to college?” “If I did I probably wouldn’t be a bar