But those were the kinds of things people said because silence made them uncomfortable.
So instead, I asked, “Why were you downtown alone?”
She hesitated.
“I didn’t want to go home.”
“Daniel said you were having dinner.”
“I was.”
“With someone?”
“My sister.”
That made more sense.
“She left about an hour before Daniel called. I stayed behind.”
“At the restaurant?”
“At the bar.”
I raised an eyebrow.
Karen gave me a tired look.
“I had two glasses of wine, Alex. I wasn’t dancing on tables.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Your face did.”
“My face is very judgmental.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Another tiny laugh.
Then it disappeared.
“My car really did break down,” she said.
“Good.”
She looked offended.
“Good?”
“I was starting to think this whole rescue mission was a conspiracy.”
That almost made her smile.
Then she leaned back and closed her eyes.
The silence changed.
