Emma walked into the hair salon where Kat worked and looked around. No sign of her, so she stuck her head into the staff room. She saw Kat’s boss back there drinking a cup of coffee and she smiled at him.
“Hey, Benny.”
“Hey, girl,” Benny said. “You here to get a cut?”
Emma laughed and ran her fingers through her still-short hair. “Not yet, but soon enough, believe me.”
“Yeah, it’s just as well.” Benny shrugged. “Your favorite stylist isn’t here today.”
Emma’s heart jumped. “No?”
“Nope. She hasn’t been in all week. Took four days off.”
“Starting when?”
“Uh. Three days ago.”
Goddammit, Kat. Where are you?
“Thanks,” she said. “Take care.”
“I always do, sweetie.”
Emma went to the café next door and ordered a cup of green tea. She sat near the windows and collected her thoughts, try
