by Lynn Cahoon
“Who? Who is dead?” Sasha put her hands on her hips. “You’re being a jerk.”
“I’m not a jerk.” I leaned closer. “You can’t tell anyone.” I went on to tell her about finding Sandra’s body off the path.
“Are they sure?” Sasha squatted down, trying to catch her breath. “I mean, she looked amazing last night at the party. The dress she wore was killer.”
“Wait, you went to the party?” I knelt next to her. “Did you see Sandra leave? Was she with anyone?”
Sasha sniffed. “I got my mom to babysit and Darla hired me to work as a server for the event. I needed the money, but I really wanted to see all the celebrities.”
“But did she leave with anyone?” I pushed Sasha for an answer, knowing Greg would want to know.
“Nope. Michael stayed back after their fight. He sat at the bar and did five or six shots of whiskey. I can’t believe anyone can drink that stuff straight.” Sasha shook her head. “All he did was sit there and drink. I think Matt had to pour him into a cab later.”
“Well, I guess the husband didn’t do it. You know, statistically, he’s the number-one suspect.” I opened the last box of sliced NY cheesecake and offered it to Sasha. She took a plastic fork and broke off a piece.
“Greg won’t want you playing investigator in this one.” Sasha closed her eyes as she let the cheesecake taste take over her senses. “He gets a little touchy about you poking your nose in things.”
I took my own bite of the treat. “Who said I was going to get involved? I’m just talking about the average murder suspect.”
Sasha grinned. “A leopard can’t change her spots. That’s all I’m saying.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get home and collect Olivia. We’re going to the zoo tomorrow, and I don’t think she has a clean outfit. I tell you, single parenthood has its joys, but hauling baskets of clothes and a three-year-old to the Laundromat isn’t one of them.”
“Do you need some help? I’m going to be home alone this weekend while Greg determines what happened to Sandra.” I bit my lip. “We were supposed to be leaving on our cruise in a few days. I suspect that’s off.”
Sasha pulled her tote bag over her head and took out the keys to her well-loved, new-to-her compact sedan. A small wooden teddy bear with Olivia’s name carved on the bear’s tummy jingled with her keys. “If you don’t need me to work as many hours next week, just call. I could use some time with the kid.”
I shook my head. “I’m still taking the time off. If Greg cancels out on me, I’ll dig in to the spare bedroom upstairs. I’ve been meaning to remodel that into a guest room since I finished the downstairs.” I gave her a quick hug. “You’re not getting time off that easy.”
“A girl has to try.” She waved as she left the truck.
I knew Sasha needed the hours, so there was no way I would step back from the schedule I’d already set for her. I locked up the food truck and gave Nick keys to the shop to put the leftover pies into the back refrigerator and the supplies into the office. Nick didn’t have a lot of extra time to work for me along with his summer full-time job at Lille’s, but anytime we did special events, he worked as many hours as possible to beef up his college fund.
Waving good-bye as he left the parking lot, I glanced back at the beach to see if Darla needed help breaking down the booths. I saw her at the finish line, still handing out medals and slips with completion times. There was still a line at Lille’s booth, and a small band had set up on the beach, playing festive music. The area was crowded with people enjoying the day as well enjoying completing the event. If there hadn’t been a dead body on the path, I would have called this a successful first Mission Walk for South Cove.
Now it was all about the cleanup. I walked over to Darla’s booth and sat with my feet up, waiting to be put to work.
Three hours later, I was at home, my feet up on the coffee table and a book in my hand. Emma lay next to me, and her gentle snores were causing my own eyes to droop. Finally, I gave in and curled up on the couch for a short nap.
The ringing phone woke me. I grabbed my cell. “Hello?”
“Can you take me to the hospital to visit Josh?” My aunt sounded as tired as I felt.
I sat up, stretching my free arm and yawning. “Sure. When do you want to go?”
“Now, I guess. I’ll buy us dinner in Bakerstown. I’m not feeling like cooking tonight.”
I glanced at the clock; it was almost six. “I didn’t realize they would keep him overnight for something like this.” I wanted to say the word “trivial,” but I didn’t want Aunt Jackie to drive herself so it didn’t pay to try to upset her.
“It’s not the race thing. They’re worried about his overall health. Apparently, the man is diabetic and he didn’t even know.” Jackie tsked over the phone. “He needs to lose weight obviously, but the man is hooked on candy. I’ve already gone over to his apartment and dumped out all the junk food. We need to stop at the store on the way back so I can restock with fresh fruit and vegetables.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.” I grabbed my keys and let Emma out. I’d be back before it got too dark, but Emma liked being outside. Well, she really liked eating my sofa pillows, but I’d tried to break her of the habit by limiting her time alone with the off-limits treat.
As I pulled away from my house, Esmeralda’s driveway was filled, and there were a few cars parked on the side of the street, as well. She had said her calendar was busy, but this was crazy. The good thing about my neighbor’s in-home business, the clientele was polite and respectful. I think they were scared of the woman’s power. No matter the reason, even with a large number of clients visiting on the weekends, I rarely noticed people coming and going unless I happened to be outside working in the front yard or running with Emma.
Tonight, getting out of my driveway was a little tricky, as I couldn’t see around a large Ram truck parked on my side of the road. But I inched my way out, rolling down the window to try to listen for oncoming cars, and when I determined it was clear, I pulled out onto the road to South Cove.
My phone rang as I hit town, and I answered using my in-car Bluetooth. “Hey, what’s going on?”
Greg’s voice boomed through the car. “I’m just checking in. I’m still in Bakerstown at Doc Ames’s place. Don’t think I’ll be over tonight.”
“Kind of figured that. I’m taking Aunt Jackie into town to visit Josh. I guess they’re holding him over for a night. He’s diabetic.” I pulled into the parking lot behind the coffee shop.
“I could have told you that and I’m not a doctor.” Greg chuckled. “But I guess it was news to Josh?”
“Apparently. I’m sure I’ll hear the whole story when we visit. Aunt Jackie’s already cleared out all the candy and stuff out of his apartment. I’m sure we’ll be seeing him in his knock-off tracksuit walking more often now.” I waved at my aunt, who was locking up her outside door. “Look, she’s here. Call me later?”
“Probably tomorrow. I’ll be here until late, then I’ve got to prep for my first meeting with the DA on the case early in the morning.” Greg paused. “Look, I need a favor and you’re not going to like it.”
I used my finger to disturb the dust on the display in my Jeep. “I think I can guess. I’m hoping I’m wrong, though.”
“Can you call Rachel and cancel our trip? Sorry. There’s no way I can get away on Thursday. I’m pretty sure we’ll eat the cost, but see if she’ll try to get us a refund.”
“Greg, you have to be able to take time off sometime. I’m sure there’s someone who can take over for a week.” My tone was sounding childish even to me. And I knew I was fighting a losing battle.
“I’ve got to go. Just call Rachel. I’ll make this up to you, I promise.” Then he hung up. No “good-bye,” no “love you,” just a dial tone. I slumped in the seat and realized my aunt was already in the car.
“Trouble in paradise?” She clicked the seat belt and adjusted her suit jacket.
I st
arted the ignition and pulled back onto Main Street. “We’re not going to Alaska.”
My aunt settled her purse on her lap. “I’m sorry. I know you were looking forward to the trip. But you know his job isn’t regular hours. I thought you were fine with that.”
“I thought I was, too. Now I don’t know.” I turned up the stereo as I turned onto the highway. Tears filled my eyes but I blinked them away. I’d known all along a weeklong vacation with Greg was a crapshoot, but I’d thought this time we just might get lucky.
Lucky was not my middle name.
CHAPTER 6
By the time we’d reached Bakerstown, I was done with my pity party. As we turned down the street that would take us to the highway, I checked the time and clicked off the stereo. “I think we have a few minutes to catch Rachel at the shop. Her website says she closes at five on Saturdays. Do you mind if I stop by there now?”
“Go ahead. You know it’s better to get these things done than sit and stew about them.” My aunt studied my face. “Your mascara looks fine, but you may want to run this over your lips.” She handed me a lipstick container.
“I’m just going in to cancel our trip. I don’t think having on makeup will change anything.” I swatted my aunt’s hand away as I pulled the Jeep into the small parking lot in front of the travel agency. Like me, Rachel had bought the building along with the business, and she lived in the other half of the cozy little cottage. The front entry looked fresh and charming with a variety of flowers in different-sized pots filling what had been flower beds. The house/business was painted a bright white with red trim, reminding me of the pictures I’d seen of houses perched on the cliffs in Greece. Dating Greg, pictures might be as close as I got to real travel.
I took a deep breath and pushed away the poor, pitiful me thought. I glanced in the rearview mirror and realized I looked like a walking zombie, pale and hurt. I took the lipstick my aunt still held out and applied the shade onto my lips, smacking them together. The color did bring some life to my face, and as I handed back the tube, I said it before Aunt Jackie could. “You were right.”
She tucked the tube into her purse, then smiled at me. “It’s not about being right, my dear. I just don’t want you to look like prey in front of the lions’ den.”
“I have no idea what you’re saying or why, but I’m getting this handled.” I opened the door and climbed out. “I’ll be right back.”
My aunt changed the channel on the stereo to show tunes as I took the few steps to the door. I guess she figured my “right back” might take some time. Turning the doorknob, I pushed on the door. Locked. Frowning, I glanced at the sign in the window that announced the open hours, and then checked my watch. Ten to five: The agency should be open.
A voice called out from the side of the building, and a woman with a water hose came into view. “Sorry, the travel agency is closed today. Rachel had a family emergency.”
“Oh, I guess I should have called first.” I dug in my purse and found a small notebook. “I’ll just leave her a note. Do you think she’ll be open on Tuesday?” Like most of the businesses in South Cove, Bakerstown Travel closed on Monday, which gave Rachel a real weekend from work.
The woman came closer, and I realized she was using a walker to assist her. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m Cathy Addy. I live next door and run the yarn shop. I probably shouldn’t even be out here, but Rachel’s plants looked parched.”
“That’s nice of you.” I glanced at the yarn shop in the next little house. The number of plants and flowers surrounding the building made the travel agency look almost barren. “Your own flower gardens are lovely.”
“Thanks. I was out watering this morning when Rachel left. That’s how I knew she was gone. But I’d gotten the impression she might be back today.” Cathy put the hose she’d been dragging into a new pot as she talked. “Impatiens are very fragile, especially in this heat.”
“Do you need some help?” I’d finished writing the note. Then I folded it and tucked it into the mail slot. I’d call Rachel when we got to the hospital and leave a voice mail, too. Maybe she could make some calls Monday to get our tickets canceled. I stepped off the porch, turning toward Cathy.
She waved me off. “This is one of the few things I can do around the place. I have a house cleaner coming in once a week now, so watering plants and washing a few dishes are about all I get to do. I’ll be fine.”
I studied Cathy, who seemed to be the same age as my aunt in the car. Arguing with her would only upset her and probably get me in the doghouse with my aunt, as well. “It was nice meeting you. I’ll be leaving you to it then.”
“Stop by the yarn store next time you’re in town. I’ve got some lovely new stock you might like,” Cathy called after me.
“I’ll do that.” I waved and climbed into the Jeep.
My aunt turned off the stereo, which seemed to be playing a rousing chorus of “Oklahoma.” “You don’t knit.”
“I could learn.” I turned the Jeep toward the hospital. “Maybe it would be relaxing.”
Aunt Jackie snorted. “What do you need to relax from? A hard day of reading?”
“Whatever.” I turned the volume back up on the music, and we didn’t talk again until we reached the hospital.
As I pulled up to the main entrance to let Aunt Jackie out, I leaned over. “I’ll park, then leave Rachel a voice message. Then I’ll meet you at Josh’s room.”
“Don’t be long. I don’t want to stay too long and tire him out.” She straightened her jacket and smiled back at me. “Besides, I’m hungry.”
I heard voices as I walked down the corridor toward Josh’s room. The nurses’ station was completely empty, and I could see patients watching me through their open doors as I walked the hallway. I’d only been in the hospital once, when my appendix tried to burst during my first and last date with Ken Forrey, my elementary, middle-school, and high-school crush. We’d gone to a movie, and I’d found myself throwing up in the ladies’ room for a majority of the film. He’d dropped me off at the house, and my mom had rushed me to the emergency room. Besides a get-well-soon card his mother delivered to our house a few days later, I’d never heard from the guy again.
A nurse was standing by the bed, and Josh was railing at her.
“This isn’t food.” He waved a hand over his tray, which looked like food to me, even though it did look a tad healthy, without anything fried or covered in sauce.
“Mr. Thomas, you are going to have to change what you consider food if you even have a chance to lose weight. You have a green salad, a protein shake, and a side vegetable. That’s more than enough food.”
“You’re trying to starve me.” Josh whimpered. Then he saw me in the doorway. “I suppose you’re enjoying yourself, watching my pain.”
“Josh, stop being such a child.” Aunt Jackie stood and stepped toward me. “I’m sure Jill isn’t taking a bit of pleasure in your discomfort. I’ll see you tomorrow and leave you to eat your lovely dinner.”
“Can’t you just stay a while longer?” Josh scooted his body higher in the bed. “I’m sure I’d eat better with you here.”
“Your manipulations aren’t working on me.” She smiled at the nurse. “Thank you for taking such good care of Mr. Thomas. I’m sure he appreciates it, even if he’s unable to express his positive feelings.”
The nurse nodded and slipped out of the room. I followed, hoping I’d be able to bite back the smile before Aunt Jackie joined me in the hallway.
I leaned against the too-white wall, closing my eyes for a second trying to center myself. It had been a crazy day. I wondered, once the news leaked about the body being found on the trail, if the California Mission Society would feel differently about us sponsoring next year’s walk. And apparently, we hadn’t followed their rules to begin with. Two strikes against South Cove, and neither one was Darla’s or my fault.
Aunt Jackie’s hand on my arm brought me back to the present. “Let’s get out of here before he th
rows another fit.” She headed us toward the elevator. “I swear, that man is such a child at times. It’s no one’s fault but his own that he’s in this situation. But no, tell him that and you’ll get a list of other people to blame.”
“Changing habits is hard.” I pushed the button for the ground floor. “He’s lucky you started pushing him to walk. If he hadn’t collapsed on the walk, he might have never found out about the diabetes until it was too late.”
“Exactly. It’s a blessing in disguise. Now, getting him to see it that way, well, that’s another story.” Aunt Jackie leaned against the elevator wall, gripping the handrail. “I’m beat. Food, then I’m crashing. Do you think you can handle my late shift at the shop tomorrow? I hate to ask, but I really want to come into town to visit Josh again.”
I held the elevator door open. “No problem. I’ll work your shift. Now, where do you want to eat?”
We settled on a small mom-and-pop Italian restaurant that served the best gnocchi in town. Aunt Jackie drank red wine with her meal, I had a soda, and we both had coffee with dessert. I held up my cup in a toast. “Here’s to a fairly successful first South Cove Mission Walk.”
My aunt clicked her cup with mine. “If you don’t count poor Sandra.”
I nodded. “Especially if you don’t count the dead body.”
We sat for a while, enjoying the warmth of the room as we sipped the dark coffee. Aunt Jackie set her cup down by her half-eaten piece of chocolate cake, eyeing the cup warily. “I probably shouldn’t be drinking coffee this late in the evening, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my eyes open on our way back to South Cove.”
“It has been a long day.” I finished the last bite of the molten lava cake on my plate, then picked up my own cup. I might just have to get a to-go cup to make sure I stayed awake during the drive. “All kidding aside, I did think Darla pulled off the race nicely. And the food truck idea was brilliant.”
