“You seem out of sorts tonight.”

She stopped inspecting her bracelet and looked across at him, but didn’t say anything.

“Why are you in such a sulk? Missing Jasper?”

On the heels of his taunt, her phone dinged. She read the text, then clicked off.

“How’s he doing?”

“Better.”

“Puked it all up?”

“Drank a ginger ale.” Then, with full-blown hostility, she said, “You really are a piece of work, aren’t you?”

Drex didn’t have time to respond because Elaine’s return to the table coincided with the waiter delivering their soufflés.

They ate them, their conversation limited to comments about calories and how some foods were worth the splurge. They had coffee but didn’t linger over it, and when Elaine suggested after-dinner drinks, Talia bowed out.

“I hate to cut the evening short,” she lied. “Jasper says he’s feeling better, but I really should get home to him.”

Elaine had insisted that they all ride together to the restaurant, leaving Talia’s car at the townhouse. When the restaurant valet brought around Drex’s car, Elaine got in the front seat, as before. Talia sat in back.

Their positions were such that Drex could observe her in the rearview mirror. She kept her head turned toward the back seat window.

As they neared Elaine’s neighborhood, she expressed regret that Jasper had missed such a luscious dinner. “If he’s up to it, let’s have a foursome lunch at the country club tomorrow.”

Talia continued to stare out the window. “It will depend on how he feels in the morning. I’ll have to let you know.” She didn’t sound at all enthusiastic about the prospect.

“I’ll make a ressie for four in the hope that you can make it. Noonish? Or a bit later?”

Drex said, “Sorry, Elaine, but I have to decline.”

“Oh, no.”

“I’m stuck at a pivotal part of the novel and much in need of inspiration. I’m thinking of going in search of some.”

“Where does a writer begin looking for inspiration?”

“Holy ground.”

“Church?”

“Hemingway’s house in Key West.”

Talia’s reaction was instantaneous. Her head came around. They locked eyes in the rearview mirror.

“Have you been there?” He addressed the question to her, but Elaine responded.

“My husband and I docked there. But only once. The vibe was a little too bohemian for him.”

Drex acknowledged that with a nod but never took his eyes off Talia, who, after holding his stare for several seconds, had turned her head aside again. Un-huh. No way, he thought. He wasn’t going to let the question go unanswered. “How about you, Talia?”

Without looking at him, she lowered her chin slightly. “I was there a couple of years ago.”

“And?”

“And…” She raised a nearly bare shoulder. “It was all right.”

“Just all right?”

“Not my worst destination, but not one of my favorites, either.”

“What didn’t you like? The food? The nightlife? What?”

With discernible impatience, she said, “Nothing I could put my finger on.”

“Hmm. Did you tour Hemingway’s house?”

“No, but I’m not surprised that you plan to.”

“Why’s that?”

She met his gaze in the mirror. “Jasper theorized that you want to create a professional image for yourself that’s reminiscent of Jack London or Hemingway.”

“Jasper devoted that much thought to me and my aspirations?”

“He made the comment after I told him about your upbringing in Alaska.”

“Alaska?” Elaine chirped. “How fascinating.”

“Not really,” Drex said.

“I’ve never known anyone from there. You must tell me all about it. Come in for a nightcap?”

He pulled the car to the curb in front of her townhouse, put it in park, but left it running. “If I’m going to Florida, I’ll need to get up early tomorrow and start making arrangements. Rain check?”

“Of course. Besides, you probably should follow Talia home.”

He glanced back at her. “I planned to.”

“I wouldn’t dream of inconveniencing you. Besides, I’m a big girl.” She got out of the car and shut the back door.

By the time Drex alighted and had come around to open the passenger door for Elaine, Talia was impatiently bouncing her key fob in her palm. “Thank you for dinner, Drex. It was lovely.” Her drop-dead glare put her sincerity in doubt. “Good night, Elaine.” She leaned in and air-kissed Elaine’s cheek. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Give Jasper my regards. Promise to call me tomorrow and let me know how he’s doing.”

“Yes, I will.” Without another word or glance at Drex, she turned and started walking toward her car, her high heels tapping the sidewalk with a marching cadence.

Elaine gave his shoulder a nudge. “I don’t care how big a girl she is, I can tell she’s upset. She hasn’t been herself all evening. Make sure she gets home safely.”

“After I walk you to your door.”

“Nonsense. It’s all of twenty steps.”

“You sure?”

“Go. I think she must be more worried about Jasper than she’s letting on.”

He gave a grim smile at the unintended irony. “I’m sure you’re right.” He kissed Elaine lightly on the cheek and bid her good night, then quickly got back into his car and peeled away from the curb in pursuit of Talia’s taillights.

Once he caught up with her, he stayed close and pulled into his driveway seconds after she pulled into hers. She opened the garage door remotely and lowered it as soon as her rear bumper cleared the opening.

Drex got out of his car and went around to open the trunk. He took out a duffel bag, closed the trunk, then headed up the path toward the garage apartment.

“How was the evening?”

Startled, he whipped around. Jasper was sitting in the dark on the screened porch, idly rocking in his chair. Drex gave him his good-neighbor smile. “You were missed. Feeling better?”

“Much.”

“Bad oysters, Talia said.”

“Must’ve been. Did you like the restaurant?”

“Superb. Thanks for the recommendation.”

A light came on. Talia appeared as a silhouette in the open doorway between the kitchen and porch. She looked at Drex but didn’t say anything. Jasper turned to her and extended his hand. She went to him and linked her fingers with his.

The gesture spoke volumes, the message was clear: We’re a pair, a united front.

Drex covered a yawn with his hand and hitched his chin toward the staircase. “Well…I’m bushed. Good night.”

Jasper responded with a good night.

Talia said nothing.

Drex climbed the staircase. The screen door was unlocked, but he used his key on the solid one. Inside, he crossed the living area in darkness, went into the bedroom, and switched on the lamp on the rickety nightstand. Then he returned to the bedroom door and shut it, preventing prying eyes from seeing him unzip the duffel he’d retrieved from his trunk. He took from it his laptop, binoculars, the audio surveillance equipment, FBI ID, and pistol.