by Lynn Cahoon
Smiling, I twisted these thoughts around until I heard my name.
“Jill, are you all right?” Esmeralda appeared concerned.
I dropped the magazine I’d been flipping through and walked back to the reception desk. “Sorry, I got lost in the article.”
Her eyes narrowed and she grunted. “Right. You don’t have to lie to me.”
“Really. It was about a local hunting area.” I dug my hole deeper and she continued to stare. “Whatever. Is Greg busy?”
Esmeralda pointed to the closed office door. “Barricaded himself in the office this morning with a pile of files that Toby gathered for him last night. I’m sure he’d welcome a distraction.”
I stepped toward the door, but stopped when she continued.
“I don’t need the crystal ball to see the future. Sometimes I just like to be polite and not freak people out.”
I turned and saw she was smiling, but something in her face registered a feeling of sadness.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have …” I started.
She waved her hand toward me, mirroring my own response. “Whatever.”
As I opened the door to Greg’s office, I thought about Esmeralda and her life here in South Cove. And for the first time, I realized I’d never seen her with a friend or even on a date. I’d assumed my neighbor was a recluse by nature, but maybe she was trying to reach out. That would explain the campy friends song she kept repeating when she did my readings. Or it could have been a warning about Aunt Jackie.
My head hurt, so I pushed both ideas away and put on a smile I didn’t feel for Greg.
“Uh-oh.” He stared at me as I walked in. “What’s going on?”
Slipping into one of his office chairs, I frowned. “Why does it have to be a bad thing if I stop to see my boyfriend on the way home from work?”
“Mostly because you have that smile on your face, which usually means you did something that I need to clean up.” He studied me, then checked the clock. “You haven’t been interviewing my potential suspects again, have you?”
“The day’s early, but no.” This time my smile was genuine. “Actually, I do have a favor, or really, just a favor you’ve already granted.”
“Do I want to know this favor?” Greg’s voice sounded gravelly, like he’d been drinking coffee and smoking all night. Except he didn’t smoke.
“Were you working with Toby last night? He came into the shop all worn out and you look twice as bad as he does.” My intuition told me there was something more going on than just reviewing files. I pointed toward the pile of manila folders on his desk. “What are you looking for?”
“A needle in a haystack mostly.” Greg leaned back in his chair and stretched his long arms over his head. I thought he might tip the chair over. As he righted himself, he shrugged. “Look, I’ve got a lot to get through today. What do you want?”
I could have been offended, but I knew he didn’t mean the words in a cruel way. “We have practice at the winery tonight at seven. And Murder Mystery Theater is back on for next Friday. Darla’s already printed out the posters.”
“Terrific. I’d planned on a night at the apartment with a beer, in my gym shorts, watching the Lakers on my big screen.” He rolled his shoulders. “Okay if we meet there? I’ll probably work up until then.”
“If you make sure to eat, sure.” I stood. “The nights have been warm, so I’ll probably walk up to the winery. Can you drop me home?”
“Do you have any of Sadie’s apple pie?” His eyes twinkled.
“Sorry, big boy, I’ve finished that off.” I laughed when I heard his groan. “Although I might just have something else.”
“You know I’d drive you home for a cookie.” He stood and pulled me close. “We’ll go away for a weekend just as soon as this case is wrapped. You want to go north or south?”
I thought about our options. We’d been talking about a short Mexican resort stay, just to see if we liked the area. “South, definitely. I’ll pull up some choices, and we can talk about them over dinner this weekend.”
“Don’t forget fishing on Sunday.” Greg kissed me, then sat back down and opened a file.
I headed to the door. “Can’t wait,” I said drily.
I heard his chuckle as I returned to the empty reception area. Esmeralda had put a sign on her desk. “On break, back in fifteen minutes,” I read aloud.
I opened the outside door and took a deep breath of the salty air. The breeze was coming from the west and directly off the ocean. The smell centered me, and I made a decision. No matter what Pat said, or Sherry did, Greg and I were a couple until we weren’t. And no one was going to change that. I’d just have to trust in us.
My steps were lighter as I strolled the rest of the way through town and back to my house. The sun was shining, my work for the day was complete, and I had a date with Greg tonight. What could go wrong?
CHAPTER 17
After running with Emma that afternoon, I’d spent the rest of my day reading. I kept ignoring the notebook lying on the kitchen table, a list of Kent’s conquests still listed in Jackie’s easy handwriting. After the run-in with Evelyn Baker, I was done with assumptions. Besides, Greg seemed like he had a handle on the case. I grilled a piece of cod, served it on top of a salad, and added a glass of white wine for dinner.
Then I went upstairs to shower and get ready. Instead of my usual outfit of jeans and a boy band or rock legend tee, I slipped on a favorite sundress Greg liked. I took clips and swept up the front of my hair away from my face, applied blusher, mascara, and lip gloss, and I was ready.
The best thing about California casual? You could find appropriate flip-flops for all occasions. I grabbed my jewel-bedazzled pair and went downstairs to put Emma out in the backyard. She hadn’t eaten any of my designer throw pillows lately, but I didn’t want to tempt fate.
I was almost into town when I realized I hadn’t checked to see if Esmeralda wanted to walk in with me. So much for trying to be friendly. I made a commitment to talk to her at the play practice.
Diamond Lille’s was packed with regulars, and through the window, I saw Carrie, my favorite waitress, carrying a loaded tray. Thoughts of Friday’s fish and chips special filled my mind as I continued to walk to the winery. Loud voices broke my concentration.
“You know I can’t do that. Nick is still at home. He needs me.” Sadie’s voice sounded less angry and more frustrated. I scanned the area for my friend. My gaze stopped in front of Dustin Austin’s bike rental shop. Sadie stood in the open doorway, her back to the street.
I crossed the empty road and stood at the edge of the sidewalk. I didn’t want to pry, but Sadie seemed upset. I was close enough to hear Austin’s next words.
“I guess I know where I stand in your life. Thanks for making that clear before I made a huge mistake.” He paused. “Good-bye Sadie.”
At that, Sadie burst into tears and turned to flee. She didn’t even see me before she was on top of me. “Hey, it’s okay.” I put my arm around her and led her away.
Sadie’s body hitched. “It’s not okay. I don’t know what I was thinking. No one will come between me and my son. Not now, not ever.” Her bravado broke into more tears. I led her away from the bike shop and toward the coffee shop.
“You just need to calm down. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, we all say things we don’t mean.” I took a peek into the shop, but it appeared empty so I opened the door and led her to the couch in the bookstore area. “You sit here. I’ll get you a cup of hot coffee.”
“Tea, please.” Sadie sniffed, pulling more tissues out of her purse. The woman carried everything in that large bag, and right now, I was glad.
I approached the counter where Aunt Jackie was already making Sadie’s tea. “Man trouble,” I whispered.
“I didn’t even know she was dating.” She put the cup on a tray and added a brownie. “You look like you’re on your way somewhere. You want me to handle this?”
I felt torn. I should sta
y with my friend, yet Greg and the rest of the cast was probably at the winery getting ready for practice. “Let me ask Sadie. But I’m sure she’d like to talk to you about the problem.”
I’d never had a kid or felt like I had anyone to protect in a relationship besides myself. My aunt hadn’t raised children, but she and Uncle Ted had had a long and happy marriage. Maybe she had some insight for Sadie that I couldn’t provide. I took the tray and walked back over to the couch.
Sadie looked like she’d been told her best friend had died. I handed her the cup. She sipped the still-brewing tea and set it down. “Thanks for this. I didn’t realize how upsetting the conversation would be. I should have just called him rather than coming to visit.”
“What happened?” I still had time to walk the rest of the way to the winery and be there before seven. Sadie needed a sounding board.
“We just want different things. I mean, I knew a future with a man, any man, would someday turn physical, but I’m just not ready. Besides, Nick’s still at home, and I can’t tell him that premarital sex is bad while I’m spending the night with someone myself. How would he ever trust me?” Sadie tore a tissue into small bits while she talked. Her tears had dried, but I could tell her heart was still in pieces.
“He should understand. I mean, he must have dated women with children before, right?” I thought about all I didn’t know about Dustin Austin, like had he been married, ever? Did he have his own kids? Since I’d moved to South Cove, I’d never seen him with anyone. I pushed the brownie closer. “These are amazing. Of course, you know that since they’re yours.”
Sadie attempted a smile. “Thanks, but I’m not hungry. Austin made it clear he wasn’t interested in helping to raise a child. And we both agreed that Nick would be my responsibility, just like always. I wasn’t looking for a father for my son. I just wanted some adult companionship.”
“But your timetables are different.” I understood the problem even if I didn’t have the same experience as Sadie.
“Why couldn’t we have started this next fall, after Nick went to college? I know my beliefs seem old-fashioned, but I know what’s right. And this isn’t right.” Tears shone in Sadie’s eyes. She took her cup and sipped the now-brewed mixture. She took in my dress and makeup and sighed. “And you’re on your way to meet Greg.”
“I’ve got a few minutes, but yeah, we have play practice tonight at the winery.” I smoothed the skirt of the dress with my palms.
“Then you go ahead. I’ll just sit here awhile and get my composure back so I can drive home.” She took a deep breath.
“Maybe we could talk?” Aunt Jackie appeared with what appeared to be a steaming cup of coffee for herself. “I’ve had a few heartbreaks in my life.”
Sadie nodded. “I’d like that. And I wouldn’t feel like I was imposing on Jill any longer than necessary.”
“You weren’t imposing. We’re friends.” I stood and gave Sadie a quick hug. “Come by the shop in the morning and we’ll talk.”
Sadie squeezed me once and then let go. “We’ll see. Thanks for rescuing me.”
As I left the shop, I checked my watch. Five minutes to seven. I was pretty sure if I didn’t show up soon, Greg would take the opportunity to leave and come find me. Then who knew if I could get him back to the winery. I lengthened my strides—and ran right into Josh Thomas.
“Watch it,” he sputtered, spinning off-kilter with my weight. I watched as he went from crouching to sitting on his butt on the sidewalk, his camera swinging around his neck. He checked the display, then looked up at me. “I should have known. Can’t you leave me alone?”
“I didn’t intend to run into you. What are you doing anyway?” I straightened my dress and considered his camera. My eyes narrowed as I considered his angle. “Were you taking pictures of my shop? Of Aunt Jackie?”
Josh leaned forward and used his hands on one of my outdoor tables to push himself to a standing position. “Of course not. I told you at the meeting I’ve been tracking the issue of trash on our streets. Sherry King said if I got enough evidence, the council couldn’t ignore my petition anymore.” He glared at me. “She cares about what’s going on in South Cove. Too bad our Business-to-Business committee doesn’t seem to give a crap.”
I thought about arguing, but knowing my time was short, I put that jab to my management of the committee to the side. “If you weren’t snapping covert pictures of Jackie, then let me see the pictures.” I held my hand out for the digital camera.
“In your dreams,” he muttered, his gaze darting toward the windows of the shop. As dusk was falling, the light from CBM gave out a soft, inviting glow.
“I’ll tell Jackie,” I warned, not moving my hand.
He took the strap off his neck, clicked a button on the camera, and handed it to me. “Fine, I took a few shots. I’ve been worried about her since this whole travel scam thing. I don’t want anyone hurting her.”
I clicked through the pictures and saw a few with my aunt, smiling at a customer or to my amazement, reading a paperback when the shop was empty. “Caught you,” I murmured.
“There is nothing inappropriate about those pictures. Your aunt is a lovely subject,” Josh sputtered at my comment.
“No, these are great pictures. You should show her a few and tell her how much I enjoyed them.” I was ready to hand the camera back when I saw one of the pictures Josh had given out during the last meeting. The one Greg had folded and put into his pocket. The picture showed the inside of a car, filled with bags with logos from my shop, Diamond Lille’s, and more than a few of the fast-food places in Bakerstown.
But the food leftovers weren’t what held my interest. It was the Baggie tucked inside the open glove box, which appeared to be filled with smaller Baggies of white powder. Josh had taken a picture of our local drug dealer’s stash and hadn’t even noticed. The antique dealer had perched his overweight frame on one of my patio chairs, trying to catch his breath from the exertion.
I handed Josh back his camera. “You should be careful taking pictures around town. Maybe hold off on the project for a few weeks. You said it yourself that Jackie might be in danger. What if the guy sees you when he’s stalking her?”
“I’m not afraid of anyone.” Josh’s words didn’t match the fear I saw in his eyes. “But you may be right that I should be more careful around town. You never know who’s going to be angry when I disclose their dirty secrets.”
“Exactly.” I checked my watch. Five after. “Look, I’ve got to go. We’ll talk tomorrow about the trash issue, and I promise the subject will be on the next agenda for the meeting.”
Josh’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Good night to you, as well.” I took a last worried glance at the shop and started power-walking down the street. I’d call Aunt Jackie as soon as practice was over, just to make sure she was okay.
Greg was standing in the parking lot talking on his cell when I arrived. He gave me the look and then kissed me quickly. “No worries, Esmeralda. She just showed up. Thanks for checking.”
“You asked my neighbor to see if I was still at home?” I pointed to my watch. “At ten minutes late? What would happen if I was twenty minutes late?”
“These days, you’d get a visit from whatever deputy was on duty. And probably a fun ride in the back of the squad car to your destination.” Greg nodded to the barn where the practice was being held. “Darla’s running late herself. We’re supposed to grab a drink and mingle until she has everyone here.”
“Good, I’m dying of thirst.” We wandered toward the open bar, where Greg got a beer and I opted for an ice-cold bottle of water. I drank half of it down before we sat down at a table.
He considered me. “You want to tell me why you were late?”
“Sure. Sadie got in a fight with Dustin Austin, so I took her to the shop to calm down.” I saw the worry in Greg’s eyes. For all he said I should stay out of things, he sure took his job as the town’s protector
seriously. “No worries, she’s talking it out with Aunt Jackie.”
“What were they fighting about?” Greg sipped on his beer.
Laughing, I tilted my head closer to keep anyone from overhearing. “They are, I mean, were involved. I guess he pulled the old if-you-loved-me ploy.”
Greg’s eyes widened. “Austin and Sadie? Wow, I didn’t see that one coming.”
“Honestly, neither did I.” I thought about the picture in Josh’s camera. “But once I got her settled, I literally ran into Josh taking pictures out on the street.”
Greg groaned. “I thought I told him to cool it.”
“He thinks he’s protecting Aunt Jackie along with the streets of South Cove from a mountain of trash.” I finished my water.
“He’s going to get himself hurt,” Greg muttered.
“I saw the picture you took from the pile at the meeting.” When he didn’t answer, I went on. “Let me clarify—I saw what interested you in that picture.”
“Jill, stay out of it. This is my job and part of an open investigation.” Greg took my empty bottle. “You want another water or a beer?”
“You think you know who Kent’s supplier was?”
Greg finished his beer, ignoring my question. “Beer or water?”
I stared. “Fine, beer.”
“Good answer.” He kissed me on the top of my head. “Don’t move. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t look at any pictures. Just be my girlfriend for one night, okay?”
“You know you love me the way I am. Curious, insightful, with mad investigating skills.” I smiled but got a hard look in return. “Fine, you’re looking at just Jill tonight.”
By the time Greg returned with my beer, Darla had started rounding up the first act players. I waved at Amy and Justin, who stood in the front, ready to go backstage. Justin didn’t see me, his gaze darting around the room, never sticking at one place. I saw Amy put a comforting hand on his arm and he visibly sighed and looked down at her.
