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She hurried toward the building, anxious to see her grandfather, dreading whatever probleht him to say, "I need you" A problem he didn’t want to discuss on the phone

A covered porch with old wooden benches for diners awaiting their tables had been part of the original building Now steps and a ramp led up to the porch Near the old double doors to the entry Gus kept the typical wire bin that offered promo materials, maps of the historic section and a free local community paper The community paper was on the top tier of the bin; Gus’s clientele were locals as often as they were visitors Even distracted as she was, she noticed the blazing headline in the paper

Second Body Found; Police Seek Any Information!

She picked up the paper, surprised that she hadn’t seen anything on the news regarding a lanced over the article as she reached for the old iron ring that opened the door

She learned that tourists leaving an Irish bar around the bend on the river had found the first victi, the second victim, a businessman from Iowa, had come ashore down by one of the coffeehouses The reporter asked: "Is a River Rat killing in the city?" Abby flinched; she had a feeling the moniker would stick

Were these deaths related?

The victiy was different--one woman, one man But both had been tourists or visitors, which meant they didn’t know the city

Since she’d just come from her FBI classes, it was hard not to speculate on the situation But while part of her ht be called in on if the local police invited the feds to take part, she was still too worried about Gus to give the horrible matter her full attention She folded the paper and slipped it into the large canvas carryall she had over her shoulder Gus first, paper later

Pulling off her sunglasses, she stepped through the door Lights were ablaze inside, but they didn’t co outside in the late-summer heat of Savannah

"Abby!"

She’d barely stepped in when she heard Macy Sterling, Gus’s day er, call her name Macy came from behind the reservation desk to throw both ar "Hey, Gus said you were co I’lad! Seems like forever since you’ve been here!"

Macy was an attractive woreen eyes and sable hair swept up in a chignon She’d worked for Gus since her mid-twenties and she was a family friend as well as eonslayer traditional costu pirate ure and did her white cotton blouse, black leggings, boots and red vest proud

"It’s great to be here," Abby told her "But it hasn’t been that long Only about six raduated And after that, I was assigned to more behavioral classes and desk duty Fortunately, I was in a sort of holding pattern so I could conments for everyone in my class and my current supervisor told me I could take a break"

"Well, last time you were here, it was just for a day, and Gus hoarded you selfishly I hope you have more time this trip We miss you"

"Thanks," Abby said "And I one And this place, for sure!" She took a inning and had actually been constructed froly tended ood polish

The walls were adorned with antique figureheads and pirate flags An old ship’s wheel separated the entry from the bar area to the left--as well as the steps to the second floor--and the restaurant rooht The old secondary stairs, cut out of stone, were seldom used now They led down to the baseuarded by rails and a life-size robotic mannequin of a 1700s pirate, namely Blue Anderson

"Oh!" Macy dropped a kiss on her cheek "I should’ve said congratulations! You passed! I was so sorry we couldn’t attend the cererown up now"

"Yes, let’s hope so, since I’ "I rows up completely"

Macy studied her as proudly as a parent "Tell ? Do people still date? How’s the great state of Virginia?" Macy fired questions at her

Abby laughed "I’m fine I rent a little house in a rural district not far frootten intothere Yes, I believe people still date, but not inia is as hot as Savannah," she said, trying to answer Macy’s questions in order