“I hear she’s been asking questions.” He watched her closely. “Talking to people at the records office. Looking through things that don’t concern her.”

Every muscle in my body tightened. I stayed where I was. For the moment.

“She’s worried about her mother,” Evelyn replied evenly. “Any daughter would be.”

Travis looked slowly around the diner, studying every face, noting who dared watch him and who suddenly found something else to look at. Then his eyes landed on me — just another woman sitting alone in a booth, nothing worth remembering.

I stood. I crossed the room and stopped beside the counter, forcing him to turn on his stool. “You must be Travis.” My voice stayed calm, measured — the same voice I used briefing officers on difficult situations.

“I’m Nicole. Evelyn’s daughter.”