Chapter 10: IncidentThe next day, when Garner arrived at their favorite café for coffee with Vera, he saw her already seated on the front patio, a rather fulsome repast on the table in front of her. This included a plate of sandwiches, featuring egg salad, cucumber, and salmon; a bowl of fruit pieces; and what looked like a variation on Greek salad, with avocado. It was clearly too much for one, and almost too much for two.
“I already paid the bill,” she said in answer to his inquiring look. “I hope you don’t mind. I’m very hungry—but help yourself.”
Garner thanked her as he sat down. His coffee came and he prepared it while surveying the food. It was Vera’s way, he knew, of being supportive as a friend. Having a rather successful career as a freelance editor, she seemed to live with an
