Smoke in Mirrors

seemed to be doing the same thing.
    A few minutes later Deke looked up from the tiny screen. “Got him. Or at least a current address.”
    Leonora turned in the seat. “So fast?”
    Thomas glanced in the rearview mirror. “You’re sure it’s our Andrew Grayson?”
    “Age fits.” Deke worked on the computer for a few more minutes. “He’s retired now. Got his social security number from the college records. It all matches. Says right here that he was employed at Eubanks for two and a half years. Yep, he was there at the time Eubanks was murdered.”
    “He’s our guy.” Urgency moved through Thomas. “What’s he been doing for the past thirty years?”
    “Figuring out what Grayson has been up to for the past three decades will take some time,” Deke said. “But I can tell you one thing, he sure as hell isn’t trying to hide. And judging by the address I’ve got here I’d say that whatever happened to his academic career at the time of the murder, it didn’t ruin his life.”

    “Where’s he living?” Cassie asked.
    Deke looked down at his screen. “Mercer Island. It’s in the middle of Lake Washington, between Seattle and Bellevue.”
    “Expensive neighborhood,” Thomas said. “You’re right. He must have done okay for himself.”
    Leonora put one arm on the back of the seat. “I vote we talk to Andrew Grayson. As soon as possible. Probably better to do it in person. We can be in Seattle in less than two hours.”
    Thomas flicked a quick glance at his watch. “It’s a waste of time and energy to have all four of us move in lockstep like this. We need to get more efficient. I suggest that Leonora and I drive into the city to see Grayson. Deke, now that we’ve got some new leads, I think the best thing you can do is concentrate on digging up whatever else you can find online that concerns Grayson and Eubanks.”
    “Right,” Deke said. “Cassie’s got classes to teach this afternoon so she can’t go with you either.”
    “That settles it.” Thomas slowed for the turn that would take him to Deke’s house. “You and Cassie stay here. Leonora and I will head for Seattle. We’ll call you as soon as we’ve talked to Grayson.”

Chapter Sixteen
    Cassie halted in the short, shadowed hall. Deke closed the door slowly and tried to find words for what she had done.
    “Thanks.” That sounded pretty lame. He tried again. “If you hadn’t come up with Margaret Lewis’s name, we wouldn’t have any of this new information.”
    “I hope it helps.”
    “I don’t know where this is going, but at least we’re no longer completely stalled.”
    She made no move to take off her coat. Instead, she glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly noon. I’d better be on my way. Busy class schedule at the studio this afternoon. I want to get a bite to eat first.”
    She was going to leave. He didn’t want her to go. Not yet. He wanted to talk to her. Discuss what they had learned from Margaret Lewis. Tell her how he planned to pursue his online search. Hell, he didn’t care if they madeinane conversation about the weather. He just wanted her to hang around for a while.
    He groped for inspiration. And found it when he saw the half-finished loaf of bread on the counter.
    “I’ve got to get to work, too,” he said. “But we both need some lunch.” He tried to sound casual. “I’m going to make a sandwich. Just as easy to make two.”
    She looked hesitant. Then she shrugged. “All right.”
    Panic assailed him, rendering him briefly speechless. She had accepted the offer of food. He prayed fervently that he had something on hand he could use to make a sandwich, any kind of sandwich. He vaguely recalled some cheese in the refrigerator. The bread was a little old but maybe it would be okay if he toasted it.
    “Great,” he said weakly.
    Intent on heading for the kitchen, he moved past her. He stopped at the entrance to the living room. The day was gray and misty outside, but the living room was as dark as the interior of a cave. Was this how the place looked to her every time she came here to give him a yoga session? It was damned depressing.
    “I’ll open the curtains,” he said. He changed course and headed for the nearest window.
    She gave him a brilliant smile. “Good idea.”
    He went from one window to the next, parting the curtains to let in the gray daylight. When he surveyed his handiwork he concluded that the room was still a little gloomy. He switched on a couple of lights before