High Jinx

by Shannon Esposito

  Could I? Does keeping a secret mean I couldn’t tell Devon? I’d have to play that one by ear. ‘Sure, what’s up?’

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter and nodded, like he was talking himself into something. ‘I’m going to propose to Lulu next weekend.’

  I twisted in my seat to face him. ‘Really? How exciting! When? Where? Do you have a plan?’

  ‘God, I’m so nervous. Yes, I have a plan. The ring is being made as we speak, and I’m going to throw a party on our yacht next Friday with friends and family. I want it to be special but traditional. Down on one knee, all that.’

  ‘You’re going to do it in front of everyone?’ Well, that was brave. I’ve seen these things go horribly wrong on TV.

  ‘Do you think she’ll say no?’ He looked worried suddenly.

  ‘No, no,’ I assured him. Though I had no idea. Best that she be the one to break that egg if it was going to happen. ‘I think it’ll be fine.’

  ‘You and Devon should come. She really likes you, Elle. She doesn’t have many girlfriends since she works all the time. Her mom is pretty much it.’

  ‘Oh, well, I really like her, too.’ I moved my attention to the vast Gulf waters. I’d never been on a boat before, let alone a yacht, and wondered how my anxiety would handle that. Would I flip out when we started moving away from the shore line and swan dive overboard like a crazy person? Only one way to find out. ‘Sure, I’ll check with Devon but I’d be honored to be there.’

  TWENTY

  I had grown to love Sundays. Sundays with Devon meant a lazy morning cuddling in bed, then a leisurely breakfast cooked together, then I’d go down to the shore and do some yoga while the dogs played and he’d go for his run, coming back all hot and sweaty so, of course, we’d have to share a shower. Wasting water in this day and age would be a sin, after all.

  Today we’d had an added bonus. Salma had texted Devon that they’d completed the search of Oliver White’s house early this morning and found the mask right where we said it would be, and he was now at the station for questioning. We’d high-fived over scrambled eggs. By noon, she’d texted that he’d been released but Farnsworth was seriously considering him a suspect now. That was excellent news for Breezy.

  After dinner, we’d dragged some beach chairs down to the sand where the water was gently lapping at our toes, to watch the blue sky morph into streaks of orange, red and pink before the sun did its disappearing act and marked the end of another day. It was chilly this evening and the water was cold, about ten degrees colder in just a few weeks, but refreshing as long as I didn’t submerge too much of my foot. I dug my toes into the wet sand and watched a sailboat making its way slowly across the span of water in the distance. Buddha and Petey were sniffing something in the sand a few feet away and then Petey shoved his nose in it, flopped down and began to roll around on his back.

  ‘Ew, Petey! Come here!’

  Petey jumped up, shook himself vigorously and hopped over, looking very proud of himself. Buddha ambled along behind him in case I was giving out treats. One sniff told me the object of their attention was indeed a dead fish. I shook my head. ‘Yes, you go on and look proud of yourself. You’ve just earned yourself a nice bubble bath.’ I picked up a seashell by my chair and tossed it away from us. Petey let out a bark and raced after it, leaving the smell of dead fish wafting in his wake.

  Devon chuckled as I pulled my sweatshirt over my nose. ‘He’s got a talent for finding dead things, that one.’

  Speaking of dead things … My mind jerked back to Oliver White. Could he really be Michael’s killer? It’s hard to know what’s in someone’s mind and heart. He could’ve hated him that much that an argument just pushed him over the edge. I still thought Cali was a more likely suspect even though Selene was giving her an alibi. One bonus of going to M.J.’s engagement party on the yacht was that I’d finally get to spend some time around Cali. Surely, as his sister, she would be there. But back to Oliver …

  ‘I can’t believe Oliver didn’t hide the mask after Eloise caught me and Beth Anne in the library. He must’ve known we’d seen it.’

  Devon shrugged. ‘People aren’t as clever as they’d like to think they are.’ He reached over and pulled me onto his lap. ‘Piece of advice, love. Don’t try to figure out why people do what they do. It will drive you mad.’ This wasn’t the first time he’d given me that particular piece of advice.

  He pushed the unruly waves of hair out of my face and held them back while he kissed my cheek, my nose and the other cheek, finally landing on my mouth. I completely lost all track of time and space as his warm, sweet kisses continued down my neck. Then the persistent sound of a helicopter intruded on my bliss. Squinting, I glanced up. The big metal noise machine was awfully low.

  Devon lifted his head with a groan. ‘What now?’ Then he adjusted me on his lap and squinted at the helicopter now circling the area like a buzzard. ‘That’s a news’copter. Come on.’

  We hurried back up through the soft sand, the dogs running past us and into the house. Devon checked his phone first and his face paled. ‘Jaysis.’

  ‘What? What happened?’ My chest was hammering and I was having a hard time catching my breath. In the background, Buddha was squeaking his rubber shark, but that was barely registering. Something was wrong.

  He looked up but he was looking through me. I could see his mind twisting, trying to wrap around something.

  I tented my fingers and held them over my nose and mouth, now positive by the look on his face that something really bad had happened. ‘Devon?’

  ‘It’s Oliver.’ He grabbed the remote off the coffee table and flipped on the flat-screen TV. We sat down in shock and watched the news show Oliver White’s mansion from a bird’s-eye view. The helicopter was shooting live. Devon slowly handed me his phone and I read the text from Salma: Oliver White found by gardener dead in his pool. On our way.

  Beth Anne burst through the French doors ten minutes early Monday morning, startling Buddha from his pre-class nap. ‘Good God in heaven, Elle! Did you hear about Oliver?’ Shakespeare was turning circles beside her, straining on his copper-studded leather leash. He was hopped up on her energy like he’d just smoked a crack pipe full of it. This was going to be a tough class.

  ‘Yes.’ I shook my head and untangled myself from lotus pose. Standing to accept her hug, I added, ‘I can’t believe it.’

  Her neck and chest were flushed and her ponytail was still damp from her morning shower. ‘We were just in his house. I mean, he wasn’t the nicest person in the world but … dead? What is happening on Moon Key? I’m definitely having our security system updated. People are dropping like flies.’ Reaching down, she released Shakespeare and he immediately pounced on Buddha to play. Buddha rolled over on his back as if to say, ‘Yeah, yeah, you got me.’

  ‘Well …’ I bit my lip. Should I share what Salma had told us, knowing whatever I told Beth Anne would fly through the gossip chain faster than the speed of light? She did put herself at risk to help me and Devon find the mask. OK, I’d tell her but I’d add a disclaimer anyway just to shift the responsibility of keeping the secret onto her shoulders. ‘Don’t let this get out, but Detective Vargas says even though the media is calling it a suicide and the police have released the house, it looks fishy to them.’

  Beth Anne’s brown eyes widened, sending her mascara-laden lashes up to her eyebrows. ‘Like someone,’ she lowered her voice to a whisper, ‘killed him, too?’

  I shrugged. ‘Maybe.’

  She perched her hands on her slender hips, looking thoughtful. ‘The same person that killed Michael Beckley? Maybe a serial killer?’

  I bit the inside of my cheek thoughtfully. Serial killer? No, this seemed more personal. ‘I don’t know. The police were looking at Oliver for Michael’s death. So if he didn’t do it, why would the real killer off Oliver and eliminate the person who was possibly going to take the blame for it? If Oliver did kill Michael then the suicide would make sense since they were
closing in on him. But …’ The other ladies were starting to filter through the doors and heading our way. ‘But if he was murdered, too? Maybe he knew something the killer didn’t want him telling the police.’

  ‘Well, I know what Beth Anne is talking about,’ Violet said as she unrolled her mat in the front row. ‘Those stupid news helicopters kept me up all night. Again.’

  ‘Violet!’ Beth Anne whirled on her friend. ‘Don’t be so insensitive. This is not about your beauty sleep. A man is dead.’

  ‘They’re saying it was suicide.’ Whitley took her spot next to Violet and unrolled her own mat. Maddox, her greyhound, sniffed the other dogs with his stubby tail wagging. ‘Which doesn’t make a bit of sense. That man was way too in love with himself to commit suicide.’

  ‘Well, the news said there was a suicide note found.’ Beth Anne gave me a knowing look but, to her credit, she didn’t share the information I’d given her. Not yet anyway.

  Whitley sighed. ‘Well, at least the reporters can’t camp out on Oliver’s street like vultures. Though I did hear two of them tried to dock in the private marina and security caught ’em.’

  ‘We’ll have to buy those rent-a-cops a bottle of champagne.’ Violet smirked as she stretched out and wiggled her bare toes. ‘I’m reading a book about how well men respond to positive reinforcement. Think I’ll buy Jarvis a car. He was admiring one of those new Lexus convertibles at the Florence Wine Bar the other night.’

  A car? I wanted to ask her if she was serious but managed to keep my mouth shut. Good thing, too, because she apparently was very serious.

  ‘Sounds like someone’s getting attached,’ Whitley teased her.

  She tilted her head thoughtfully toward her friend. ‘Oh, God, you’re right. No car.’

  The class went relatively smoothly considering everyone’s lack of sleep last night. Between classes, I checked my phone. There was a group text from M.J. to both me and Devon inviting us to Michael’s wake tomorrow evening at the Beckley mansion. Might help with closure, he’d added, presumably directed at me since I’d found Michael’s body. I’d never been to a wake before. Devon had texted him back already that we’d be honored to be there, but I wasn’t so sure I could handle it.

  I texted Devon separately: Will Michael’s body be at the wake?

  He replied: It won’t. It’s just to celebrate Michael’s life.

  Well, that sounded like a good idea to me.

  Darkness had fallen by the time we parked the Jeep in the circle behind the other cars at the Beckley mansion, which was even more impressive with all the landscape lights glowing. As we approached the front porch we could hear a heated argument.

  I leaned into Devon. ‘Maybe we should wait?’

  We paused, but Selene noticed us near the steps and waved us up. ‘Please, come on in.’

  Awkwardly, we approached Selene and Flavia. Selene was holding a bouquet of white roses protectively in her arms and Flavia was scowling up at her. ‘Thank you for coming and ignore my mother, she’s just being dramatic.’

  ‘Hello, Flavia.’ I waved awkwardly.

  ‘Hello,’ she replied but kept her glare locked on Selene. ‘What you two think? Is appropriate for boyfriend to bring flowers to dead husband’s wake?’

  Selene narrowed her eyes. ‘He’s a good friend, Mother, and flowers are always appropriate.’

  ‘Ack!’ She whirled her wheelchair around and threw up her hands. ‘I give up.’ Then she turned her head so I could see her profile. ‘Elle, I have something for you. Come.’

  We followed her into the grand room where family and friends were milling about. An enlarged photo of Michael sat on an easel at the back of the room. He had his hands clasped in front of him and was beaming his signature smile at the camera. Happier times. I tried to imprint the photo on my brain. I’d much rather remember him that way. I watched Selene hand off the flowers to a housekeeper and then join the crowd.

  ‘I’m going to go find M.J.,’ Devon said, kissing my forehead and leaving me alone with Flavia. His spicy male scent lingered after he’d gone, and I breathed it in for comfort.

  Flavia reached into the pocket of her black Mumu, pulled out an evil eye necklace that looked like hers and held it up to me. ‘Much bad juju on dis island right now. You wear dis, yes?’

  Smiling, I accepted it, slipped it over my head and tucked the creepy blue eye under the neckline of my dress. ‘That’s so sweet of you to think of me. I will, thank you.’

  Lulu bounced toward us. ‘Elle, so glad you’re here.’ She smelled like vanilla and cinnamon when she hugged me. I suddenly wanted a beignet. ‘Come on.’ She led me over to where M.J. and Devon were standing.

  M.J. didn’t look good. ‘Glad you both could make it,’ he said. His voice sounded hoarse and his hand was shaking as it grasped mine. Lulu glanced at him and I could see the worry in her eyes. Her hand went protectively to her stomach.

  ‘Wouldn’t miss it,’ Devon said quietly. He squeezed M.J.’s shoulder in support.

  As the two men began to talk, Lulu threaded her arm through mine and leaned in, whispering, ‘I’m really worried about M.J. I heard him break down in the bathroom the other day, and he actually smashed the mirror.’

  ‘Anger is a natural part of the grieving process. I’m sure it’ll just take time,’ I whispered back. ‘At least he has you and the baby, something happier to concentrate on.’

  She sighed almost imperceptibly. ‘If he didn’t have us he would fall apart, for sure.’

  Was that doubt? I hoped that she wouldn’t say yes to marrying M.J. just to keep him from falling apart. If she did say yes this weekend, I hoped it would be because she loved him and wanted a future with him.

  She shook off whatever was bothering her and straightened her shoulders. ‘OK, I’m supposed to be eating for two. Let’s go grab some food.’

  ‘Girl after my own heart.’ I smiled as she led me over to the table full of breads, salads, olives and cheeses, where we greeted some other folks dressed in black, filling their plates. I decided so far I liked wakes way more than art auctions.

  Lulu popped a grape in her mouth. ‘It’s rude not to eat in this house, anyway. Yiya will have a fit if any of her spanakopita is left over.’

  ‘That would be a sin.’ I grabbed a piece of spanakopita and then, remembering the little slice of flaky heaven it was, piled on another piece.

  Lulu grinned and followed suit. ‘Oh, it’s on, girlfriend. I can’t let you out-eat me. I have a reputation, you know.’

  When we returned to where the bulk of the company had gathered, I took the empty seat between Devon and an elderly lady I hadn’t met. Selene was in the middle of telling a story about one of Michael’s pranks that had everyone chuckling and nodding. The lady next to me held up her glass of red wine in a toast. ‘That was Michael. Always trying to make us smile.’ She turned to me with a lowered voice while Selene continued the story. ‘How did you know him, dear?’

  I stopped chewing my stuffed green olive as a flash of Michael hanging from the ceiling rafters lodged itself in my brain. I couldn’t shake it. I knew I was staring at her in silence for far too long as her expression was shifting from kindness to worry. Finally I couldn’t hold it back; the tears sprang forth and a loud sob escaped.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ I croaked as I bolted from the room with my plate. My face burned. I was mortified. Crying and chastising myself, I turned right at the fish tank, my only thought being escape. The problem was I was on autopilot and going the only direction I knew … which led me straight to the back kitchen. I dropped my plate on the floor and covered my nose and mouth in horror as I realized I was standing in the kitchen doorway. It was all too real.

  Everything came back like it was happening all over again: the smell of the burning cakes; the confusion and then the panic when I realized Michael didn’t have a pulse; the sound of my own voice screaming for help. I stared at the space. It didn’t seem right that it was now empty. That Michael was actually gone. I fel
t disorientated and dizzy.

  Luckily, Devon, M.J. and Lulu had rushed after me and were now steering me out of the back door and into the fresh night air.

  I leaned over and grasped my knees, trying to suck in air as a knot tightened in my chest.

  ‘Oh, Elle, go ahead, get it out, sweetie.’ Lulu rubbed my back as Devon pulled me up into his arms, allowing me to wet the front of his shirt with snot and tears.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ I sniffed, accepting a handkerchief from M.J. I wasn’t even a part of this family and I had just ruined the whole purpose of Michael’s wake. We were supposed to be celebrating his life and remembering the good times. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’

  ‘I know,’ Lulu said. ‘Being a human with emotions is such a pesky thing.’

  I looked up at her through blurry, swelling eyes and finally smiled. ‘It really is.’

  She grabbed my hand. ‘Come on, we’ll just hang out here and enjoy this gorgeous night air for a bit.’

  We pulled out the chairs around the patio deck.

  ‘I’ll go grab you some water,’ Devon said, kissing the top of my head. ‘Be right back.’

  Selene rushed out as he went in. ‘Elle, are you OK?’

  My face grew hot. She should be in there telling stories and remembering her husband fondly. But because of me she was out here. ‘Yes, I’m so sorry I caused a scene. Oh, God.’ I started to stand up. ‘I need to clean up that broken plate before someone gets hurt.’

  ‘It’s fine.’ She came over and gripped my shoulders, looking into my eyes with a sympathetic smile. ‘It’s already taken care of. It had to be quite a shock to find Michael the way you did. Believe me, the grief hits me at unexpected times, too. It’s just how it works.’

  ‘Thank you, Selene. You’re too kind, and again, I’m so sorry for your loss.’ How strange rich people’s lives were. Break something, make a mess and someone else was right there to clean it up. As she gave me one last squeeze and left us, I let my gaze drift to the tall bushes that separated their house from Oliver White’s. ‘I wonder how Eloise is holding up. Should we go and give her our condolences?’