Free Running on Empty by Sandra Balzo Page B

to truly reconnect, but...'
    'There's never that kind of time,' Sheree said. 'And then, eventually, we just forget.'
    'Putting us all in the same boat.' Bobby leaned across the table toward them. 'So
     did you hear it was Rance Smoaks they found on the beach this morning?'
    'Good riddance,' Sheree said.
    'Ahh, we must be talking about Rance.' Chuck had finished up and sunk into the chair
     between Bobby and AnnaLise and across the round table from Sheree. 'I hate to say
     it, but the only person who's broken up on that issue is Kathleen.'
    'And she's the one who should be most grateful,' Sheree said.
    AnnaLise, mindful of Chuck as police chief, added, 'Not that she is.'
    'Grateful to the shooter, you mean?' Chuck asked.
    'No, no... I just—'
    'Stop torturing her,' Sheree said. 'We all know Rance was a tool. And a dull one at
     that.'
    'True.' The door opened and Chuck glanced up, his eyes following the newcomer.
    AnnaLise twisted to see James Duende. With the nodded permission of the couple at
     the next table, AnnaLise snagged one of their chairs.
    Oblivious, Sheree set down her wine. 'Whoever's that for?' gesturing at the chair.
    'Your "one".'
    'Jim?' Rubbernecking now. 'Where is he?'
    'Right over... where'd he go?' AnnaLise looked around, but Duende had disappeared.
    'The guy who just came in?' Chuck said. 'Dark wavy hair, olive complexion, military
     physique?'
    'Good eye,' AnnaLise said, turning back. 'I wish I was as naturally observant as you
     are. I have to make myself study people and places, and then take notes.'
    'It's a gift,' said Chuck. 'In my line of work—'
    'Work, schmurk,' Sheree interrupted. 'You think he's hot.'
    'But straight,' Chuck said.
    'Straight?' AnnaLise stopped and looked at her long-ago boyfriend. 'Chuck?'
    He scrunched up his eyes and then stared back. 'Yes, Lise?'
    'You're... gay?'
    'Got it right the first time, Annie,' Bobby said.
    If you didn't count the nearly two decades AnnaLise and Chuck had been friends. And
     more.
    'Sorry,' Chuck said, covering her hand with this.
    'You don't have to be sorry.' AnnaLise blinked. 'I'm glad you, umm...'
    'Found himself?' Sheree supplied. 'I was glad, too, when he came out. Explained all
     those years he ignored me.'
    'You, my lady, scared the shit out of me,' Chuck said.
    But I didn't, AnnaLise thought. Figures. I'm one of those women guys make 'buddies'
     of. Watch the game with. Confide in about their wives and girlfriends.
    She cleared her throat. 'Came out? So everyone knows?'
    The 'but me', was unspoken, but not unheard by Chuck. 'I called you five, six times.'
    'I know. I've been a bad friend.' She turned her hand over to squeeze his. 'So, what's
     been the reaction?'
    'Good.'
    'Except for Rance Smoaks, the homophobe,' Sheree said. 'Like I said, good riddance.'
    Bobby explained. 'Rance tried to get Chuck ousted last year, to retake the office.
     It got pretty nasty.'
    Chuck shrugged. 'He thought the town would prefer even an active alcoholic to a gay
     guy. He was wrong.'
    Dead wrong, as it turned out. 'I can't believe neither Daisy nor Mama told me,' AnnaLise
     said.
    'I asked them not to.' Chuck withdrew his hand and tented his fingertips. 'That I
     wanted to call you.'
    'And they listened?' Harder to believe than the news that her old boyfriend preferred
     men.
    'Sure.'
    'And then promptly forgot, probably,' Bobby said nodding. 'Just like we were saying
     before you got here, Chuck. Life moves on, even in Sutherton.'
    Before AnnaLise could agree or disagree, the front door was yanked open.
    Sunset shafts of orange, rose and purple sliced through from outside, triggering a
     chorus of ' Start spreading the news...
'
    The Frat Pack had arrived.

Chapter Nine
    Sunday, Sept. 5, 2 a.m.
    Combining the Pisgah Porters at Sal's with Midnight Espresso Martinis at Torch, was
     not, in retrospect, a good idea.
    -AG
     
    A run, if AnnaLise survived it, might salvage the rest of the day from her hangover.
    'You're shitting me, right?' Joy said, when