by Anne R. Tan
“I thought you didn’t have money to replace them?”
“I needed some retail therapy after last night. They are going on the credit card.”
Eden snorted. “Most people hit the mall for retail therapy.”
“But that’s not an excuse to buy things I don’t need.” Raina tilted her head toward the freckled-faced teen picking up trays at the other end of the cafeteria. “Was that guy hitting on you? I thought you prefer guys that are…older.”
“He cleaned up Holden Merritt’s vomit yesterday.”
Raina frowned. Holden didn’t look well when he cornered her by the vending machine. At the time, she thought he was nervous about their discussion. “Food poisoning?”
“Here’s the thing. Holden came with a skinny blonde girl in a red T-shirt and glasses to pick up the lunch orders for the department. He threw up while he was picking up the lunches.”
A knot settled in Raina’s stomach. Did this have anything to do with the trouble Cora referred to at the bookstore? “Did they pick up Mexican food?”
“Yep.” Eden wrinkled her nose. “I can’t believe you eat that stuff voluntarily. I only have salads in front of dates.”
“Actually, I wanted a burrito.” Raina pulled a slice of roast beef dangling off the side of Eden’s sandwich. “What about that bump on the head?”
Eden swatted her hand. “Get your own sandwich. You’d have to be mighty lucky, or unlucky in this case, to die from a bump on the head.”
“I wonder if anyone else got sick from eating the Mexican food.”
“The food poisoning is a cover-up. I talked to someone from the hospital and at the Student Health Center. No one else showed up complaining about a stomachache, just Holden. So you were wrong. He did make the trek across campus to the Student Health Center.”
“What time was this?”
“After he asked Gail for Pepto. They told him it was indigestion and gave him something for it.”
Raina took a sip of her iced coffee. Whatever they gave him must have helped if he felt well enough to meet with her later. If it wasn’t the bump or the food poisoning, then how did Holden die? “Why did you say cover-up?”
Eden shrugged. “A man died on campus. The police wouldn’t release any information. Parents are already phoning in for answers. Something fishy is going on here. It’s much easier to point fingers at bad guacamole.”
Raina laughed, but it sounded hollow even to her ears. If there was something fishy about Holden’s death, would she become a person of interest for being the last person he’d contacted? What if Matthew found out about the fake pregnancy? He wouldn’t understand. He’d blame her. At least when it came to this subject.
Eden waved a fry in front of Raina’s face. “I need a sidekick. Your practical side and my instinct could blow this story wide open. The promotion would be mine if I get an exclusive on this.”
“I’m nobody’s sidekick.”
“Well, someone has to be the sidekick. I can’t be the sidekick. Look at me.” Eden flipped her hair over her shoulders and straightened in her chair. “You’re physically smaller. The sidekicks are always peanuts.”
“That’s because they are usually younger, Obi Wan.”
“What?”
“Never mind. I don’t want to be involved.”
“But you’re already involved. The bitter break-up, the fake pregnancy, the money, and the text messages.” Eden ticked the points off on her fingers. “They always suspect the ex-lover. It’s only a matter of time before you become a suspect.”
A piece of lettuce stuck to Raina’s throat. She gulped some coffee, but her voice still came out in a squeak. “That’s crazy talk. No one would be interested in me.”
Eden raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to go through the list again?”
Raina slumped in her chair. How did she get herself into this mess? She was a good person; she loaned money to friends. And now she was a murder suspect. “You really think someone killed Holden?”
“As sure as my hair.”
“But your hair is a weave.”
“It’s real hair. Now stop talking about my hair, Miss Rat Nest. Focus. It’s only a matter of time before the police start knocking on your door.”
Raina sighed. Her friend had confirmed her worst fear. Her skinny butt would be in a holding cell rattling a metal cup on the bars before the week was out. Why did Holden keep screwing her over?
“You’re part of the inner circle for the history department and it looks like you have an in with the police. Just keep your eyes and ears open. I’ll even share my byline with you if you help me solve the murder before the police.”
Raina shuddered. Murder. Who could hate Holden that much? “That’s generous, but no thanks. I want my name to stay out of the newspaper. And I want us to share information. Either we’re a team or we’re not.”
Eden nodded. “What do you know about Olivia Kline?”
Raina shook her head. “Not much. She’s willing to spend mega bucks to look forty when she’s already on the other side of sixty.” Should she tell Eden about the bookstore incident? No. It wouldn’t be ethical to sic Eden on Cora without any real proof of her involvement with Holden’s death. It would be less traumatic if she got a chance to talk to the girl first before Eden did.
Maybe she could ply Matthew with wine over dinner and get him to squeal. He always did have a soft spot for her even if he’d always left her crying later. She stabbed at a piece of lettuce, twisting it into bits with her fork. Was she really ready to walk down this familiar road again?
Raina was having second thoughts about plying Matthew with wine and cheesecake when she bumped into the potbellied man with the greasy ponytail at the grocery store. Eden had disappeared into the smoothie shop next door, preferring to play with her new phone rather than watch her shop.
“I’ve been hoping to catch you. I’m sorry about my behavior during the fundraiser meeting.” Sol Cardenas rested his basket on top of her shopping cart, trapping her to the spot. “I’ve been under a lot of stress lately with the fellowship and my sister’s wedding.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Raina looked around for an escape. Another shopper’s cart blocked the end of the aisle behind her. Unless she wanted to ram her cart into Sol’s stomach, she was stuck.
“What are you doing this Sunday? My sister is having her wedding reception at the casino’s banquet hall. Want to come as my date?”
“No thanks.” Her lips thinned as she pressed them together. Seriously? Again?
“Why won’t you go out with me? I’m a nice guy. I could show you a good time.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and scratched his armpit.
“I’m just not interested.” She stared pointedly at the mustard stain on his once white T-shirt. While she was inclined to give the guy points for persistence, the way he always went about asking made her want to cringe. His sister should give him pointers on how to talk to women.
“I clean up real good. My mama always said I’d be a catch for the right woman. Trust me; you don’t want to let this ship pass you by.”
Raina focused on his mustard stain until the desire to laugh passed. “I’m sure you are. But I’m not the right woman for you.”
He glared at her and took a step toward her. “Is it because I am fat? Do you have something against fat people?”
Raina braced herself as he loomed over her. Enough of this. She was already having a bad day as it was. “No. It’s not because you’re fat. It’s because you’re moody and dirty. You go around with a chip on your shoulder. It’s always because you’re fat or they’re racist. You’re an unhappy person. I don’t want to be around that.”
Sol jerked around and his shoulders slumped, but not before she saw his shaking chin.
Raina bit her lip to stop the automatic apology from escaping. She steadied his basket before it toppled over. If only there was a dark corner for her to disappear in. When did she become so mean? She scratched at her hives and the i
nflamed pinkie throbbed with her guilt.
He swung around, squaring his shoulders as he twisted his face into a sneer. “I didn’t want to do this, but you forced me. You’re going to my sister’s wedding. As my girlfriend.” He narrowed his eyes. “Or I’m going to the police. Pregnant ex-girlfriend killed boyfriend over other woman. Wouldn’t the police be interested in that?”
She recoiled with a gasp. Unsupported, the basket fell into her shopping cart. “What are you talking about?” How did he know? “I’m not pregnant.”
“Oh, even better! Bitter ex-girlfriend lied about a pregnancy, then killed cheating boyfriend over other woman.”
Blood rushed to Raina’s head, leaving her breathless and dizzy. “What?” She grasped the shopping cart to ground herself. Was he blackmailing her… for a date?
Sol rocked back on his heels and folded his hands on his protruding stomach. “I know all about the fake pregnancy. You didn’t close the door before making your announcement.” He tapped his cell phone and played Raina’s last conversation with Holden.
Raina licked her stiff lips. Was a recording even permissible in court? “Why would the police care? It’s just a prank.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll pick you up Sunday. 10:00 A.M. Make sure to bring a gift.”
There was no way she was going to be a trapped passenger in his car. “I’ll meet you there.” Darn. Did she just admit to something she shouldn’t? “Who is this other woman?”
Sol peered into her face and his grin widened. “You’ve no idea.” He shook his head at her naiveté. “Olivia.”
Raina shook her head, attempting to match him sneer for sneer. “Don’t tell me you’re talking about the rumors surrounding the grant funds. If there was any truth to the rumors, the relationship was long over before I came into the picture.”
“They were still in a relationship the last I heard and I hear things.” He looked pointedly at her. “People always forget to close doors.”
“Are you blackmailing me?”
“Let’s call it mutual cooperation.” He picked up his basket, grabbed his items, and strolled away with a swagger.
Her breath came out in a whoosh. The police wouldn’t care. Women had lied about a fake pregnancy throughout history. What she did was harmless. Harmless.
Except Matthew wouldn’t understand. His mother had lied about a pregnancy to force his father into marrying her. Their brief marriage had been filled with the clamor of raised voices, slammed doors, and smacked fists on skin. He’d disappeared with another woman when Matthew was in the first grade.
Her hands shook. The skin on her fingers was tight and pink. The scratching had spread the hives to a middle finger. Her mind focused on the burning sensation on her hands. If Holden had died from foul play, she needed to find the killer before Matthew realized what she did.
Raina paid for her groceries and loaded the bags into the trunk of her car on autopilot. Wait a minute! She straightened and banged her head on the lid of her trunk. Ouch! With tears in her eyes, Raina straightened a second time, albeit more carefully, and leaned against the bumper, rubbing her head.
How did Sol come to the same conclusion as Eden that Holden was murdered? Raina swayed and braced her hand against the bumper. What if he tells Matthew about the fake pregnancy? Her hands balled into fists and she thumped her bumper with frustration. No way. She’d sit through ten weddings if necessary to shut Sol up.
Eden waved her smoothie cup in front of Raina’s face. “What are you staring at?”
Raina jumped at her friend’s sudden appearance. “You should have stayed with me. You missed a great show.” She described her encounter with Sol inside the grocery store.
Eden’s eyes widened and then narrowed in anger. “The nerve of that guy. Gosh, you sure know how to pick ‘em.”
“Why do all the crazy ones pick me?” Raina slammed the trunk closed and got into the car. “It’s one thing if I know he only needs a date for the wedding. But what happens if he pulls this stunt again later?”
“Then you need to dig up some dirt on Sol. That’s the only way to shut him up.”
Raina glanced furtively at Eden playing with her phone in the passenger seat. At least she could trust her friend to keep her relationship with Holden a secret. Eden was right. And he’d given her the perfect opportunity for some digging at the wedding on Sunday.
7
A RED SUITCASE OF TROUBLE
Raina stuffed the Oreo cheesecake in the freezer and slammed the door shut. She snatched the full dinner plate, scraping the untouched food into the trash, and flung the plate into the dishwasher. She poured another glass of wine and settled down to eat her cold dinner. Alone. It was nine fifteen. Matthew hadn’t even bothered to call to let her know he changed his mind.
“Fool,” she muttered to herself. Did she really think Matthew would divulge police information over dessert? Focusing on the steak, she shredded it into lumpy pieces and hid the meat under mashed potatoes and congealing gravy. She stared at her dinner for another half-second before clearing the table. There was no point in making a show at eating when no one was watching.
Raina opened the freezer again, grabbed a pint of Cherry Garcia, and stomped to her sofa with the bottle of wine tucked under her arm. The only thing she wanted at this moment was the escape promised by her friends, Ben and Jerry. She poured the wine into the carton, tipped the carton, and slurped the wine and ice cream mixture.
Her back melted into the plush cushions. To heck with it. She wasn’t going anywhere later. Raina emptied the wine into the carton. Why did Matthew take money from her grandfather and leave for the Navy without her?
When Matthew left her the first time, he broke her heart. When he left her the second time, she wanted to break his knees. And here he was, once again, sending out smoke signals.
Why did all her relationships end with the men walking off into the sunset without her? Of course, Holden couldn’t very well explain himself at the moment. Raina hiccupped and slid down the cushions until she was stretched out on the sofa. The fan whirled above her, moving the warm stale air. Her eyes grew heavy and her last conscious thought was about Holden’s sister.
Bam! Bam!
The pounding on her front door echoed the pounding in her head.
Raina cracked open one gummy eye, glanced at the goldfish clock on the wall above the TV, and promptly closed them. Four thirty. Too early for good news, in which case, it could wait. And if there was another dead body, there wasn’t much she could do to help. Besides, her mouth felt like sandpaper and her breath could shrivel up a string of garlic in one puff. Definitely not fit for company.
“Open up, Rainy.” The voice on the other side of the door cracked with exhaustion.
Matthew! Her eyelids flew open and she jerked up. Not a good idea. Raina groaned and clutched her head between both hands. She swayed as she stood and stumbled to the front door. Her hands fumbled with the locks.
Raina leaned against the opened door. “Will you shut up!” The last thing she needed was for Eden to look through her windows at the commotion.
Matthew’s bloodshot red eyes held her gaze. He ran his hand through his already tousled black hair. “You’ve been drinking. You always get so cranky when you drink.”
“What do you want, Sherlock?”
Before she even closed her mouth, he enveloped her in a bear hug, resting his chin on her head. Her traitorous body melted into the familiar hug and her nose greedily breathed his citrus and sage scent. Did he think he could just come over and charm her pants off? Raina raised her hands to push him away, but her hands gave him a quick squeeze. She must be drunker than she thought.
He took several deep breaths; his heartbeat steadied under his solid chest.
Raina pressed her cheek against his wrinkled polo shirt and closed her eyes. Just for a minute. She shivered in the cool air and he tightened his hold.
Life could be pretty strange sometimes. How did they both end up in Gold Springs? Maybe her
ancestors were playing some kind of joke on her. Payback for lying to Holden? She stiffened.
Matthew lifted his chin and gently pulled away from her. He stared into her eyes and brushed a ringlet off her face. “I’m glad you’re back in my life.”
“Dinner is in the trash, if that’s what you’re looking for.”
“Sorry. A five-car pileup. I should have called, but I thought I could make it. And then I got caught up in dealing with the scene. There was a baby.” He sighed. “In a ditch.”
Raina’s heart twisted. “But the baby is fine, right?”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I just need a hug.”
She pulled him closer and blinked at the tears in her eyes. He took a deep breath and the tension left his body.
A light clicked on in another apartment unit. Something rustled in the undergrowth.
“I need to go. I’m not done with my paperwork yet,” he said.
While Raina was still trying to process his words, he turned and trudged into the dim morning light.
There was no point in sleeping after Matthew left. After swallowing two Tylenol, Raina went for her daily morning run. The sun rose in a blaze of rusted fire, matching her anticipation for the day. When she passed a pair of ducks floating in Mildred's Pond at Hook Park, she grinned. Everything would work out. It just had to. And her mood had nothing to do with Matthew’s reappearance into her life.
As she ran up the driveway, Eden chatted with a tiny white-haired Chinese woman sitting on her red suitcase next to the front door. Her grandma waved at her approach. A surprise visit could only mean trouble at home.
“Po Po? What are you doing here?” Raina unlocked her front door. “I mean, it’s good to see you.”
Po Po squeezed past Raina into the apartment. “When you missed my birthday banquet, I knew something was wrong.”
