His words felt like a slap, cold and final. But instead of scaring me away, they fueled my determination. Mateo was hiding something. And I was convinced it was connected to the attacks.
More than that, there was an undeniable chemistry between us. A spark that I couldn’t ignore, even as he tried to push me away. I wanted to understand why he seemed so intent on keeping me at arm’s length.
“I can’t do that,” I said firmly. “I won’t.”
Mateo’s eyes flashed with anger, frustration, and perhaps fear. He took a step back into the shadows of the cabin. “Then you’re a fool,” he muttered before shutting the door.
I stood there, staring at the closed door with my mind racing. I should have felt angry or humiliated. But all I could think about was how my heart pounded when he looked at me. How my skin had tingled when he said my name.
I turned away from the cabin and headed back to my car. My thoughts were in a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. Mateo was hiding something. I was certain. But there was more than just the mystery. Something about him called to me in a way I couldn’t explain.
As I drove back to the motel, the night closing in around me, I knew one thing for sure. I wasn’t going to back down. Whatever secrets Mateo was keeping, I was determined to uncover them.
The morning air greeted me as I stepped out of the motel. The sun was just beginning to rise.
Despite the townspeople's reluctance to talk, I wasn’t discouraged. Their evasiveness only piqued my curiosity further.
Why were they so protective of Mateo?
I headed to The Pot's diner. I needed to find someone willing to talk. Someone who might inadvertently reveal crucial information. People often disclose more than they intend when pressed the right way, and I planned to use that to my advantage.
The diner was bustling when I arrived. The bell above the door jingled. Ignoring their stares, I took a seat at the counter and ordered a coffee from the waitress who had served me the night before.
She recognized me immediately, her eyes narrowing. “Back again?”
“Can’t stay away. The coffee’s too good.”
She poured me a cup and set it down without a word. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about a man named Mateo, would you?”
She suddenly stopped in her tracks. Without turning, she clenched her jaw. “Why are you asking about him?” she whispered.
“I’ve heard his name around town. People seem protective of him.”