I Shall Not Want by Debbie Viguié Page B

was all right and that he hadn’t accidentally burned down the building or canceled Hanukkah services. From the sound of her voice and the increasing length of the messages, he couldn’t help but wonder how much was actual concern and how much was her need to be away from her family for a couple of minutes and calling to check in at work was a good excuse for hiding out from them. Whatever the reason, it was strangely comforting to know that she cared so deeply about her job and about her synagogue.
    After he had finished clearing out the answering machine, he turned his attention to his scribbled notes from the afternoon before. He had managed to forget about picking up the specialty paper. With a sigh he stared at the written address, which meant absolutely nothing to him. He tried calling the store to get a cross street, but the line was busy. He thought he vaguely remembered Marie saying something about the store being on the other side of the freeway. He locked the office and headed to the car, figuring he could continue trying to call as he drove. Hopefully they would pick up or he would stumble upon it before he had to cave and call Marie.

    It was half past eleven when Cindy grabbed her purse and hopped up from her chair.
    “Where are you going?” Geanie asked.
    “I’m heading to lunch a few minutes early.”
    “Cool. I’ll take mine when you get back.”
    Cindy walked out to the parking lot. Staring at the list of kids and the address for the food delivery had been a good distraction, but her mind had quickly drifted back to the murders. She needed to clear her head, try and make sense of it all, and there was only one person she could think of who could help.
    She saw Jeremiah walking toward his car and was glad that she had listened to the impulse to leave early, else she wouldn’t have caught him. In the next breath, though, she felt a bit foolish. They hadn’t talked but to exchange pleasantries for months before finding Derek’s body.
    She stared long and hard at Jeremiah. He looked haggard. His shoulders were hunched, and he didn’t look well. He was scowling, which wasn’t in keeping with how she normally pictured him.
    Cindy stood on the other side of the hedge and marveled that a man she had felt so close to at Easter could be a stranger by Thanksgiving. He didn’t look up and see her, just kept his head down as he pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Rabbi Silverman!” she called, feeling foolish.
    He didn’t move or turn, just unlocked his car and opened the door.
    “Jeremiah?”
    He spun around, dark circles under his eyes making them look sunken. His jaw was clenched, and his whole posture was tense. When he saw her, he relaxed slightly.
    “Cindy, what’s going on?”
    “I was about to ask you that. Are you okay?”
    “Actually, I’m sick.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
    He shrugged. “Can I help you?”
    She bit her lip. He really did look awful. She should just leave him alone. She shook her head.
    He looked like he was just going to accept that and continue on his way. Something stopped him at the last minute, though, and he swept her with his piercing eyes.
    “Cindy, is something wrong?” he asked finally, stepping closer.
    She had the sudden, crazy urge to take a step back. It had to be because she didn’t want to get whatever bug he had, she reasoned. There was something about him, though, in that moment, that reminded her of the night the serial killer held her hostage and Jeremiah killed him.
    “Yes and no. I mean, I’m fine. I was just really hoping to talk some things over with you.”
    “As a rabbi?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow.
    “No, as a friend. And, you know, someone I talk about crimes with,” she added, forcing herself to smile. It soundedlame even to her ears, and she couldn’t help but think of all the times she had made fun of mystery heroes who always managed to find trouble wherever they went. The truth was, she was frightened and