by Maci Grant
“Marta would not hurt my father.”
“Not even if he owed a large debt to her family?”
“What are you talking about?”
Marley brought a shell over to Blu to add to her pile.
“I’m talking about Marta’s family’s connection to organized crime. Are you going to tell me that you’ve known her since high school and you didn’t know about that?”
“I knew.” He sighed. “I knew about her family. But that has nothing to do with her! Marta wasn’t involved in any of that. She didn’t want to be. She’s a good person, and now thanks to you, she’s behind bars.”
“The only way to get to the truth is to tell the truth, Oliver. Think about that.”
“Think about losing my number.” He hung up the phone.
Blu cringed as she slid her phone back into her pocket. She hadn’t gained much from the conversation.
“Thank you for the shells, Marley. They’re beautiful.”
“More?” Marley smiled.
“Tomorrow. Now we have to go get ready to roller-skate!”
“Yes!” Joey shouted.
Chapter 17
Blu drove the kids back to the beach house. They changed into clothes more suited for roller-skating. Blu took the time to put Marley’s hair up into a ponytail. She wondered if she would be able to stay upright for any length of time.
When they left for the skating rink Blu sent Rachel a text to let her know where they’d be. The skating rink wasn’t too far from the beach, but it was usually a popular destination only when it was a rainy day. Since the sun was shining brightly, the parking lot was rather empty. She noticed right away that AJ’s jeep was not there. Maddie’s car was.
She led the kids into the skating rink and paid for admission and skate rental. Then she began the difficult task of getting the skates on two wiggly excited children.
“Blu!” Maddie slammed into the side of the skating rink. “I’m so glad that you came!”
“We’re here. I’m not sure how long we’ll be on the rink.” Blu smiled as she tightened the laces on Marley’s skates.
“Chrissa is dying to teach Marley to skate. If you’re okay with it she’ll take her around the rink.”
“Sure, that’s fine with me.” Blu smiled. “Joey’s an old pro so I’m sure that he’ll be chasing Brennan around the rink.”
“Good luck.” Maddie rolled her eyes. “Brennan spotted a few girls that he’s trying to keep up with.”
Blu helped the kids over to the rink.
“Oh, wait a minute, where are your skates?” Maddie grinned. “You don’t think that you’re getting out of this do you?”
“No, I don’t.” Blu grinned. “I just have to get them on.” She tugged her skates on and tightened the laces as fast as she could. “No pictures!”
Maddie hid her cell phone in her pocket. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She whistled.
“Uh huh, if I end up trending somewhere I know who to blame.”
Maddie wiggled her eyebrows and helped Blu onto the rink. As soon as the wheels on the skates hit the slick floor, Blu began to wobble.
“Oh you weren’t kidding.” Maddie winced. “You’re going to have to get used to them, I guess.”
“Or I could just take them off and go sit down.”
“No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. Remember, your Prince Charming is going to be here any minute.”
“Ha!”
“I’m serious. You don’t want him to think that you chickened out.”
Blu sighed. She knew that Maddie was right. AJ was nice enough to join her for the afternoon. She could at least make an effort.
“I’ll be back, I’m going to check on Brennan and make sure he hasn’t proposed to anyone!” Maddie spun right past her.
Blu clung to the side of the rink. Her feet wanted to go in two different directions. Her knees wobbled as she tried to get her balance.
“Blu, let’s race!” Joey waved to her from the middle of the rink.
“I’ll be there soon, Joey.” Blu smiled and waved to him. She knew she would never get to the middle of the rink, but she didn’t want to disappoint Joey. Marley and Chrissa whizzed past hand in hand. Blu sighed and shook her head.
“Wow, you are exactly where I left you.” Maddie laughed as she skidded to a stop beside Blu.
“Oh yes, it’s quite amusing. It will be even more amusing when I end up in the emergency room.”
“See, that’s the problem. You are too afraid to just let go and enjoy.”
“If I let go, I’m going to land on my rear end, and trust me, that is not something that I’m going to enjoy.”
“Just give it a try. Here, we’ll go together.” Maddie held out her hand to her.
Blu glanced over the rest of the people in the skating rink. She didn’t see AJ. “I don’t think he’s here yet sweetie,” Maddie said. “But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun.”
Blu nodded. “You’re right.” She took Maddie’s hand. “Let’s give this a try.”
“Just take it easy. It’s all in the hip and the knee. Once you get the feel for it, you’ll never forget. Glide, glide, roll. See?” Maddie smiled. “Now we’re flying.”
Blu was surprised that it did feel quite a bit like she was flying. In fact, it was fun. For just a split second Blu forgot about Emile, Oliver, and Marta. But that moment was gone as fast as it came.
“Maddie, wait, it’s too fast.”
“Blu, you’re doing great. We have to keep pace with the song.”
Blu started to get dizzy as she watched the other skaters spin in circles around her. “Maddie, don’t, I’m going to fall.”
“What? I can’t hear you. The music’s too loud.”
Blu swung her free arm in an attempt to catch her balance. The more she tried to gain her balance, the more off-balance she became. Her right foot flew up into the air in the same moment that her left foot rolled back behind her. She knew that she was about to hit the floor. Just as she began to tumble she felt a solid arm around her waist. When she looked toward the person who’d caught her she saw that it was AJ. He coasted her over to the side wall of the rink.
“I see you got started without me.”
“If you can call that getting started.” Blu laughed.
“Haven’t you ever skated before?”
“Sure, but it was a long time ago.”
AJ stared into her eyes. “Then we just need to refresh your memory. Here, you can stand right in front of me.”
“I don’t think I’m going to be standing at all.” Blu looked at him nervously.
“Trust me, I’m not going to let you fall.” He guided her in front of him.
At first Blu kept her footing. But the moment she tried to roll one foot forward her other foot tried to roll back the other way.
AJ’s hands grasped her hips.
Her eyes widened.
“Relax. It’s all in the hips. You have to relax.” He grinned at her and she tried to focus on something other than his hands on her body.
Chapter 18
Blu closed her eyes for just a moment. Then she willed herself to relax. “I’ll give it one more try.” She placed her hands over AJ’s to be sure that he didn’t let her fall. Then she began to skate.
It only took a few strides before she and AJ were in perfect sync. The sensation was similar to soaring. With AJ close to her, she didn’t even think about falling. Instead she could feel her muscles engaging the way that they were supposed to.
Before she realized it, they’d looped the rink three times. She only noticed how fast they were going when she began to get winded. AJ must have been worn out too, because he guided them both over to the edge of the rink.
“How was that?” He grinned. Only when Blu’s hands were on the side of the rink did he let go of her hips. “Fun?”
“So much fun!” Blu grinned. “I don’t think I’ve had that much fun in a long time.”
“See?
I’m a good influence, no matter what my uncle says.” He grinned.
“Hm.” Blu winked at him. “I think I want to get something to drink, and I’d better check on the kids.”
She noticed Joey and Brennan raced back and forth down the middle of the rink. Maddie, Chrissa, and Marley skated in one big group.
“I guess it’s just us.” AJ held his hand out to her.
Blu took his hand and leaned on the wall as well. Once on the carpeted floor her balance was better. They made their way to the concession section.
“What would you like? I’ll get it.”
“Just some water.”
“Are you sure? No snacks?”
“No, thanks. Remember how much pizza I ate?” She smiled.
“Okay I’ll be right back.”
Blu settled in at one of the tables. There was a clear line of sight to the skating rink. But what drew her attention was a couple squabbling near the short hallway that led to an emergency exit. The woman’s back was to her, and she didn’t recognize the man, but from their posture and the man’s expressions she knew that they were arguing.
“Blu!”
Blu turned to look at AJ.
“They have corn dogs!”
Blu’s stomach flipped at the thought. “No, thanks.” She shook her head.
He shrugged and turned back to the person behind the counter.
Blu caught sight of the couple again. The man put his hand on the woman’s shoulder rather roughly. The woman lowered her head as her body shook. Every muscle in Blu’s body tensed as she prepared to intervene if she needed to. She hated to see any kind of domestic violence, and she wasn’t about to let it unfold with her in the building.
But when the woman turned away from the man, Blu froze with shock. It wasn’t just any woman, it was Hilda, Emile’s wife. Then it struck her that the man who stood behind her could easily be the man she’d seen climbing down the side of Hilda’s house. If Hilda and this man were fighting, then she could be in danger.
“Here you go, Blu.” AJ handed her a bottle of water. He held a can of soda and a corn dog in his other hand.
Blu glanced over at him. “Thank you.”
“Is something wrong?” He followed her line of sight.
“It’s Hilda and some guy. I think they’re arguing. I don’t know, it seems like he might hurt her.”
“Well, let’s put a stop to that.” Without a moment’s hesitation AJ put down his can of soda and the corn dog. With Blu right beside him he strode up to the couple.
“Hilda, are you okay? Is this guy harassing you?” Blu narrowed her eyes.
AJ folded his arms across his chest.
“No, I’m fine.” Hilda looked at the guy, and Blu thought she seemed less than fine. She turned back toward them. “Really, everything’s okay.”
“We were just having a conversation.” The man looked between Blu and AJ. “It’s none of your business.”
“It’s my business if you’re treating her with disrespect. Hilda?” said Blu.
Hilda sniffled. “It’s not his fault. It’s me. We were just having a little argument—not the best place for it, I know.”
“Why are you here?” Blu studied her. “Are you two skating together?”
“No. I came here because my son was supposed to be here. But he’s not. So we should be going.”
“Hilda, wait.” Blu touched the crook of her arm. “Are you sure it’s safe to leave with him?”
“Look, lady, you have the wrong idea.” The man shook his head and gave Blu a hard look.
“Watch it.” AJ locked eyes with him.
“Really, it’s fine. Jack and I work together at the shop. With what’s happened to Emile, our emotions are just running high. We’re both fine and I feel perfectly safe with him.”
Blu frowned. Hilda appeared to be telling the truth, but she had no way of knowing that for sure. “If you need me, Hilda, please call. I know this is a tough time for you.”
“Yes, it is. I appreciate you wanting to help me, Blu, but it’s really not what you think. We should be going. Jack, come on.” She tugged at the man’s thick arm.
Blu watched as the two walked away.
Chapter 19
Blu felt AJ’s hand curve along her shoulder as Hilda and Jack walked away.
“You okay?”
“Yes.” Blu narrowed her eyes. “But something is not right there. I’m going to find out who he is.”
“I know Jack. He comes into the bar now and then. He’s worked with Hilda for quite some time.”
“I have a feeling they’re doing more than working.”
“What makes you think that?” AJ looked over at her. His hand lingered on her shoulder.
“I’m pretty sure that I saw him climb out of her window last night.”
“What?”
“I followed Oliver after he left the bar. I wanted to see if he would go to meet his girlfriend. Instead, he went home to his mother’s house. When Oliver was at the front door I saw a man who looked a lot like Jack climbing out the second story window.”
“Did you tell Uncle Paul?”
Blu bit into her bottom lip. She realized that leaving out the tidbit of information might be seen as uncooperative.
“AJ, I just didn’t want to risk exposing an affair if Hilda had nothing to do with the murder. Obviously she didn’t. I mean, Marta was at the scene of the crime and with her family’s history it’s no surprise that she acted violently. What good would it do to reveal the truth about Hilda?”
AJ ran his hand back through his hair and pulled his other hand free of her shoulder. “You might be right about that, but I’m not sure Uncle Paul will see it that way. The thing is, you can’t make assumptions.
Blu sighed. “I’m not sure. I think that Chief Pitman said that Hilda was at the shop the whole time.”
“But who is her alibi? If it’s Jack, then it might be flawed.”
“You’re right.” Blu met his eyes. “I need to find out exactly what your uncle knows.”
“Well, a good way to start is by telling him exactly what you know.”
Blu smiled at his words. “Good point.”
Maddie, Chrissa, and Marley skated over to the edge of the rink. “What’s going on Blu? Is everything okay?” said Maddie.
“Yes, I think so. I need to get in touch with Chief Pitman. I hate to ask this, but do you think—”
“Sure I can.” Maddie smiled.
“I’ll help.” AJ got back to his feet and joined them on the rink.
“If they get worn out, we’ll go back to my place. You just do what you need to do to get this case settled,” said Maddie.
“Okay, I’ll try.”
Blu changed back into her sneakers. Then she placed a call to Chief Pitman.
“Blu, I have some news for you.”
“I have some for you too.”
“Let’s meet then.”
“At the station?”
“Outside the station. I want us to be able to speak freely. There’s a nice courtyard right beside the building. Okay?”
“Alright, I’ll meet you there.”
“Thanks—and Blu?”
“Yes?”
“Be careful, there may be a lot more involved in this murder than either of us realized.”
“I will.” Blu hung up the phone. Her gaze shifted to the skating rink. She saw AJ, Maddie, and all of the kids skating together.
For a moment it struck her that she should be out there too. If it weren’t for her journalistic nature, she would be. As much as the thought tugged at her heart, it also frightened her. She wasn’t someone who could just ignore a crime. She had a deep need to find the truth. Even though she might have walked away from her career as a journalist, her desire to get to the bottom of things had not faded; and if she was being honest with herself, she was quite enjoying what had turned into a summer full of mysteries.
After she left the kids with Maddie, Blu drove to the police station. She was g
lad that Chief Pitman wanted to meet somewhere other than the interrogation room. She was quite certain that his temper would be tested by what she had to share with him.
In the courtyard by the side of the station, she saw that Chief Pitman was already waiting for her.
Chapter 20
Blu parked and walked toward Chief Pitman.
He turned to look at her with the type of squint that made her think of old western movies. He had a way of knowing that something was up no matter how hard she tried to hide it.
“Blu.”
“Chief Pitman.”
“What do you have to tell me?”
“I heard that you arrested Marta.”
“Yes we did. We have a witness placing her at the scene of the crime, motive, and a criminal history. There was no reason not to arrest her.”
“What about Oliver?”
“What about him?”
“He told me that she was there to see him.”
“You and I both know that is not true.”
“But if he claims it’s the case it will contradict what you are saying happened.”
“How so?” He settled his hands to his hips. “The only thing that it will do is implicate Oliver. It will look as if he and his little mafia girlfriend planned the entire thing.”
“But you and I both know that’s not true.”
“Do we?” Chief Pitman shook his head. “I don’t know any such thing.”
“There’s something I probably should have told you this morning.”
“Hm?” He narrowed his eyes. “Are you keeping things from me again, Blu?”
“Not intentionally. It may seem that way, but honestly, I didn’t think it was important at the time.”
“What is it, Blu?” He took a step closer to her. “Out with it.”
“I might have seen someone climb out of the window of Hilda’s house after I followed Oliver home.”
“That’s why it took you so long to get back to the house?” He shook his head. “I knew I should have had surveillance on you the whole time. Just like this morning. You think you can put yourself in danger without consequence. What if Oliver had seen you? What if he was armed?”
