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.