That looks good.” He eyed her pastry. She laughed at his hungry look, like a small child drooling over candy. “Go get yourself some breakfast. We're in no hurry. I have the next several hours off.” She felt as though she were playing hooky from school. By the time Ernie returned, she was still no closer to putting anything on paper. He had bought two glazed doughnuts and a large cup of coffee. He dropped several napkins down with the rest of his purchases as he squeezed his bulk into the chair opposite her. She frowned, watching him take a big bite of doughnut. “None of this is making sense to me.” With his mouth full and unable to answer, he simply raised his eyebrows in question. “Where do you suppose Anita could have gone, and why hasn't she called any of her friends or her workplace? It's been about six weeks now, hasn't it?” Ernie took a sip of coffee to wash down the doughnut. When he could talk, he said, “That's what I've been asking for the past four days.” The twinkle in his eyes softened the what-do-you-think-I've-been-doing-all-this-time tone in his voice.
