Page 99 of Breathe Me In

“Yeah.”

“He was texting someone named Zach Savage.”

She shook her head like she didn’t follow.

“There’s this elite hockey-tape brand from Finland—great stuff—and the brand is called Savage.”

“Oh right, I remember it’s the type you always used.” She nodded.

I was impressed she remembered that. “Yeah, but it’s expensive, and guess which store in town was the only place you could buy it? Hank’s hardware store. And later, because of the demand, he sold it to the rink where I play, and he started sharpening skates. Some of the guys called him Savage.” I couldn’t shake the feeling inside. “This sounds crazy, but I swore he used that name on purpose.”

“Yeah, but what are the odds you’d catch it on that phone, that text, and at that time?”

“One thing I’ve learned from being a detective is there is no such thing as coincidences. My gut steers me, and it’s screaming that something is off here. There’s even more going on. So many foxes, remember?”

“Well, let’s go see what we can find out.”

“Yeah.” I opened the door, and we could see Hank hunched over the table like his head hurt. Good, I hoped it hurt like a bitch.

“Detective Stone and PI Jaminson.” He winced in pain as he turned to address us. “I was hoping to see you both in better light, and here we are.” His odd smile didn’t match his friendly tone, and it made the hairs on my arms stand up. I barely recognized the man.

“What happened to Bradley?” I asked him as I pulled out a chair for Bree and settled into the one next to her. “When did things get so formal, Hank? I’ve known you half my life.” I looked down at the file I’d brought in and took my time reading from it. I clicked my pen after I was done and looked at him. “I guess I should really call you Zach Savage.”

For a brief moment, I saw the old Hank, but then the creepy smile came over his face again as he nodded slowly. “I wondered if you’d catch that.” He studied me a moment.

“I did, and it got me thinking. Then when I was at Ford’s house and saw all those packages. I mean, you do get around a lot with your truck. Was he ordering stuff so you had a reason to go to his place?” I waited for him to speak, but when he didn’t, I went on. “When we put it together with a photo we found of you when you were a kid, things really clicked into place. I’m so sorry you lost a friend at such a young age, Hank. That can have an awful effect on a person, especially a child.”

“You figured it out.” He sidestepped my emotional comment, then breathed in deeply as though he enjoyed the moment. “That was how I met Ford. He had an obsession with online ordering. I began to see potential in him.”

“Potential?” I laughed.

He switched topics. “To be in the presence of both of you at this point makes me feel honored.”

“I guess you had us all fooled for a long time. I don’t know why you’d suddenly feel honored to be with us, but for such a fan, you had no problem using this on me.” I dropped the evidence bag with the plunger inside on the table. Bree slid her hands from the table and put them between her knees.

“Did you test it for poison?” Ford asked.

Wes is in the process of doing that now.

“It was the poison you inhaled as a child that caused your limp, wasn’t it?” Bree chimed in. Hank’s eyes swung to her. Instantly I felt protective and leaned forward so I was closer to him than she was.

“Smart and beautiful,” he praised. “You always were a bright girl. I’m pleased to see you two figured that one out too.” I shook my head, dumbfounded.

“When did you get rid of the cane?” I asked.

“Let’s see.” He seemed to think about it. “It was around the time I started college. I felt it aged me and drew too much attention.”

“Mm-hmm.” He certainly had proved he was good at blending.

“I’m glad you survived Ford’s little rendezvous at the lake. He was angry at the time.” He shrugged apologetically at Bree.

“That makes two of us,” she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

His expression wavered slightly. “I know, that was wrong of him.”

That was an odd comment, but Bree beat me to the punch. “That’s a strange thing to say.” She pinched her brows together. “Most people learn that hurting someone is wrong at a very early age.”

“Yes, well.” He didn’t seem to like her comment. “We aren’t all the same, are we?”