Ashley was back in town for a few days to Nate's delight, but Nate thought something was a little off. She didn't seem to be completely with him, as if something had her preoccupied. He chalked it up to the exhausting flight schedule she was keeping.
For a while, Ashley stayed on local routes and was home just about every week for a couple of days, then she filled in for other stewardesses on international runs. That was okay by Nate, international flights meant more money. The problem was, she was filling in more and more often and he was seeing less and less of her.
Nate decided not to voice his displeasure right now, maybe in a couple of months if this continued he would say something. She did have student loans to pay and needed to bring those up to date to finish her bachelor's. The only thing that really stuck in his throat was that she hadn't told him money was the issue. If she had, he'd gladly cover her payments until she could go back to school.
That seemed to fit the best and Nate would think of a way to offer that help when--if--that time came.
Tonight, Ashley had been amiable to the idea of a fancy dinner. Luvton only had a dim diner and a dingy sandwich shop to choose from so they decided on a steakhouse in Sexton some thirty miles away. It was a casual place, no jacket required, and that suited Nate fine.
They were within sight of the LEAVING LUVTON sign when headlights appeared from nowhere and floated at his rear bumper. Nate was about to put the pedal down and leave the tailgater behind when a single blue light stuttered to life from the other car's windshield.
He knew who that was.
"Oh my god, Nate. How fast were you going?" Ashley cried as Nate pulled over.
"Five over, maybe," he growled.
"One-horse, piece of shit town. I heard their policewoman is a real bitch," Ashley said under her breath.
You have no idea, Nate thought as he ran the window down.
Bateman strode casually alongside Nate's car and leaned into the window. "Good evening, sir."
Nate gripped the steering wheel. "Officer."
She noticed Ashley, and gave her a big smile. "Ma'am."
"We weren't speeding," Ashley offered. "Well, maybe three over. Tonight's date night and I guess we're just anxious to get over to Sexton for dinner."
"No, ma'am, it's nothing like that," Bateman said. Then to Nate, "Sir, I wonder if you'd assist me a few minutes. I ran your plate and know you live in the neighborhood and we've had a burglary a few blocks over. Seems there's been some clothing left up in those woods and I'm curious if you might be able to identify any of the articles. Maybe see if you remember anyone wearing any of it."
Well, maybe Bateman was legitimately doing her job for once. "Sure," Nate said. "Will this take long?"
"Not at all, sir," Bateman said.
"Be right back," he whispered to Ashley as she looked through her window into the dark pines nearby.
Nate followed Bateman to the rear of her car. This time it was her own private vehicle with a blinking strobe on the dash and not the police cruiser. He stayed close as she pulled out her Maglite and shone it down the embankment where they picked their way into the pines and maples until the lights of their two cars disappeared.
Bateman shone the light around the carpet of pine needles and hand-sized leaves.
"What do you want me to look at," Nate said.
She moved closer and reached for his belt. "It's what I want to look at, Nate."
