by Maria Geraci
This is tempting, all right. Usually on Mondays (our busiest day at The Bistro), I collapse into bed too tired to even get into my PJs.
Will is right. I’m going to let the cops take care of this. I’m sure it’s all some kind of freakish misunderstanding. Once Tara’s autopsy results come back with the real cause of death, we’ll all have a good laugh.
“Okay, sounds good,” I say.
“It’s a date,” Will says, emphasizing the last word meaningfully. “Tomorrow night at six. I’ll bring the pizza.”
It’s Monday morning, and I’m so used to getting up at four that my body automatically wakes up then, but I force myself to stay in bed till six. I get dressed and put on my sneakers to take Paco out for his first morning walk. The restaurant is eerily quiet. Plus there’s that yellow crime tape still around the building, making it all seem ominous (the cops put it right back up after Mom took it down).
After walking Paco and having my morning coffee, I make out a to-do list. It goes like this:
Do NOT think about the fact that Will used the word “date” regarding tonight.
Absolutely do NOT attempt to investigate any aspect of Tara’s death. After all, that’s what the police get paid for.
Look up the word “date” in the dictionary.
Experiment with a new version of my coconut mango muffin recipe.
Scratch number four. You’re supposed to be taking it easy, remember?
Since number five cancels number four, and number one and two are things not to do, that only leaves me the option of number three. I open up my computer and go to the online dictionary. There are three definitions for the word date.
Definition number one refers to a fruit.
“So it’s a brown, oblong edible fruit of a palm,” says Will. “Tomorrow night at six. I’ll bring the pizza.”
That sentence is completely illogical, so Will couldn’t have been referring to the fruit.
The second definition is: the time at which an event occurs or the period of time to which something belongs.
No, that’s not right either.
The third definition is the one that I’m most interested in. Date: a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character.
This is the only one of the three that makes sense. I think I have a date with Will tonight. Even though pizza and TV are something we do every Friday night, he’s never once used the word “date” when referencing it. I wish I had more experience with this kind of thing, but I don’t, so I’m going to have to go with my gut instinct.
I’m so nervous, I can’t think straight. I need to blow off some energy. I clean out my closet, reorganize The Bistro pantry and try hard not to think of either Will or what’s going on with Tara’s autopsy. You’d think in this day of Netflix and Amazon Prime and all the other forms of instant gratification, they’d find a way to get autopsy results back faster.
In between all this, I reread the contract that Sarah and I signed for the show. It’s gratifying to discover that The Bistro can only be kicked off the show pre-filming if we’re notified in writing. And since we weren’t, technically, we’re still part of the competition. That is, if there still is a competition.
Between worrying about Tara’s investigation and what I’m going to wear tonight, I’m a wreck. It’s been a while since I worked out, and an exercise class will be just the trick to take my mind off things. It’s already three. By the time I get back from the class, I’ll have just enough time to shower and get ready for my date with Will.
I give Paco the same instructions I do whenever I leave him alone in my apartment.
“Okay, Paco, I’m heading out now, so you’re in charge. Be a good boy while Mommy is gone.”
He looks at me and yawns as if to say, Of course I’m in charge, and I’m always a good boy.
Walking inside the Whispering Bay rec center still makes me feel a bit odd. I found my first dead body here, but you wouldn’t know that just a few weeks ago it was a crime scene because the place is packed. When I check the class schedule, the only thing available is a yoga class for fit and active adults, which is code for seniors yoga. I took the class once before and I could barely walk afterward, so it’s right up my alley.
Viola Pantini, who’s a regular at The Bistro, is the instructor. “Lucy, you’re back! Pull up a mat,” she says, welcoming me to her class, which is mostly members of the Gray Flamingos.
“Well, well, well, look who’s a glutton for punishment!” crows Betty Jean. “Ready to get humiliated again by a bunch of geriatrics?”
“Why not?” I mutter, setting my mat down in the only empty space in the room, which just so happens to be next to her.
“Have you given any more thought to coming back to my book club?” she asks.
“I hear that you’ve invited my mother to join,” I counter.
“I was hoping that would nudge you back into the fold.”
“I’m not sure why since I was never actually in the fold. You kicked me out before my first meeting. Remember?”
“I’ve already apologized for that. I thought you’d forgotten about the meeting. How was I supposed to know you’d found a dead body and had been sworn to secrecy by the FBI?”
“Tell me the truth. Is it really me you want or my muffins?”
“The two of you are a package deal, right?”
Okay, so it’s my muffins she’s after. I guess I shouldn’t ask the question if I don’t want to know the answer.
“It’s like I told you before, if you can get J.W. Quicksilver to a meeting, then I’ll rejoin your book club. Otherwise … ” I shrug.
“As a matter of fact, I’ve just heard from him,” she says smugly. “He emailed me this morning.”
“So he’s coming here to Whispering Bay? Really? For a book club meeting? Or he is going to Skype it in?”
“We’re still discussing the details,” she dodges, “but I have every confidence I can convince him to come here in person.”
“Great. Let me know when, and me and my muffins will be there.”
Betty Jean doesn’t respond because what can she say to that? Normally, I would never be so obstinate, but it really chaps me that she’s only after me for free muffins.
The rest of the class members all want to know when The Bistro is going to reopen and if I know anything about the investigation into Tara’s death.
“We’re reopening Wednesday, and sorry, but no, I have no idea how Tara ended up dead in my kitchen.”
“It’s probably all the drugs she was on,” says Betty Jean.
“Drugs?” It sounds as if Betty Jean has been talking to my mother. “Where did you hear that?”
“It’s all over town. I overheard two of the cashiers at The Piggly Wiggly. What else could it be? That is, if you didn’t kill her,” she adds, smirking.
“Maybe Paco can help,” says Victor Marino. “I think it’s time for another séance.” Victor is what I like to call a triple threat. He’s a member of the Gray Flamingos, Betty Jean’s book club and the Sunshine Ghost Society. If there was some other club to belong to in town, I’m sure he’d be a member of that too.
“Fabulous idea, Victor!” says Phoebe Van Cleave, current president of the Sunshine Ghost Society. “You know, Lucy, it’s very selfish of you to keep Paco all to yourself.”
“I promised the cops I wasn’t going to investigate Tara’s death.”
“That’s never stopped you before,” says Phoebe.
True. But I want to keep my promise to Travis this time. Plus, there’s another reason I’m not too keen on the séance idea. Phoebe is right. I do want to keep Paco all to myself. The more people who know about his abilities, the more publicity he gets. What if his original owner gets wind of where he is and wants him back? Yes, it’s completely selfish of me, but I don’t want to risk losing him.
After class, I go to grab a smoothie from the juice bar and I run into Jim Fontaine.
“Lucy, I was just thinking a
bout you,” says Travis’s dad. Like Travis, he’s tall with green eyes, only Jim gives off a much friendlier vibe. We find a table near the window facing the gulf. “How are you doing?”
“You mean considering I’ve just found another dead body and this time in my kitchen?”
“Travis filled me in on what’s happening.” His face scrunches up in concern. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Not really. Travis wants me to let the police handle it. And Will thinks, well, he thinks I shouldn’t get too excited until we actually find out how Tara died.”
“Good advice.”
“Except … ” I lower my voice. “You and I both know I could help the police if they’d let me.”
“Have you told Travis yet? About your special skills?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
I take a sip of my smoothie while I consider how much to reveal here. Maybe Victor and Phoebe are right. Maybe I should let Paco help out the police. “There’s something I haven’t told you. You know the dog I rescued? Paco?”
Jim nods. “Cute little fellow.”
“He’s a ghost whisperer.”
“A what?”
“He sees ghosts. Or at least I think he does. The Sunshine Ghost Society is certain of it. Susan Van Dyke, the woman who owned him before me, used to hold séances. Apparently through the use of a human medium, Paco can commune with the dead. It’s the reason I’ve been discovering so many dead bodies. Paco leads me to them.”
Jim ponders this a minute. “As strange as this sounds, it totally makes sense.”
“I’m not sure the extent of his skills, but it’s no coincidence that he’s led me to every single dead body in town. I told Travis about it, but he thinks I’m crazy.”
“He said that?”
“Not exactly. He thinks Paco might have been trained as a cadaver dog.”
Jim chuckles. “I’ve never heard of chihuahuas being trained for that.”
“If Travis doesn’t believe that Paco sees ghosts, I doubt he’s going to believe that I’m a human lie detector.”
“If you prove it to him like you proved it to me, then he’ll have to believe you.”
Maybe Travis will believe me. Or maybe not. But one thing is for certain. He’ll definitely think I’m odd. I wish I didn’t care what he thinks, but I do. If only he hadn’t kissed me, my life would be a lot simpler right now.
“Let me think about it.” I glance at my watch. It’s almost five. I need to get ready for my date. “Sorry, I have to run. I’ll talk to you later.”
Jim and I say our goodbyes and I head out, but before I get to the door, I literally run into Brittany coming out of the director’s office. She’s with Darren Winters from Catfish Cove.
“Lucy! What are you doing here?” asks Brittany.
“Working out.”
“You should sign up for one of my Pilates classes. I can make you my assistant!”
Sounds like great fun. Not.
“Thanks, but I don’t think I’m physically up to speed for that. Great goal, though.” I smile at Darren. “So you’re still in town, huh?”
“Brittany has been kind enough to give me a tour of the facility. Very impressive. I wish we had the funds in Catfish Cove for something like this.”
“How are you holding up? I mean about the Tara situation?” Brittany asks.
“As well as can be expected.”
Darren makes a pained face. “Do the police have any idea what happened to her?”
“Not yet.”
“It must have been quite a shock,” he says, “finding her dead in your restaurant kitchen.”
“Lucy is used to it by now,” says Brittany. “Dead bodies seem to follow her everywhere. But she’s totally innocent. No matter what anyone else is saying.”
I still. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What? Nothing!”
“Are people saying that I had something to do with Tara’s death?” I demand. “As my best friend, it’s your duty to tell me the truth here.”
“No. Maybe. Yes.” Brittany cringes. “Obviously, it’s people who don’t know you like I do.”
Jeez Louise. I really can’t wait for the police to clear this whole thing up so that my life can get back to normal.
“So sorry, Lucy, but Darren and I have to go or we’ll be late for the big meeting.”
“What big meeting?”
Brittany’s eyes go round. “Oh, um, it’s just … well, a meeting for the show’s participants so that they can be brought up to speed with what’s happening.”
“Why weren’t Sarah and I told about this?”
“Gilly says you weren’t invited. On account of Tara kicking you off the show. She wants to respect Tara’s wishes.”
The back of my eyelids go hot. “Oh, she does, does she? Well, guess what? The Bistro is still part of the competition because we were never officially kicked off the show. So where is this meeting taking place?”
“The Harbor House. But Lucy, I don’t think it’s a good idea—”
I don’t wait for Brittany to finish before I start heading for the door. “Thanks. See you there!” I call on my way out.
9
The Harbor House, which happens to be owned by Brittany’s parents, is Whispering Bay’s fanciest restaurant. It’s located on the gulf and serves premium seafood in an elegant and upscale setting. It’s so “elegant” that you can’t park your own car, so I’m forced to leave my car with the valet. He takes one look at me and automatically points me toward the outdoor seating area.
I’d forgotten I’m wearing my JUST A MUFFIN LOOKING FOR HER STUD T-shirt. My hair is pulled back in a messy bun, and I’m still sweaty from my yoga workout.
“I’m not here to eat,” I tell him. “I’m here for the cooking show meeting.”
He looks at me with renewed interest. “Can I give you my headshots? Like I told that other lady, I’ve been taking acting lessons. Maybe you can find me a spot on one of your shows.”
One of my shows?
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I thought you said you were with the cooking show.”
“As a contestant. I’m not with the network.”
“Oh.” His voice goes flat. “Banquet room office. Straight down the hall and to the left.”
Gilly and the two other members of the production team, Alan and Pete, as well as everyone else involved in the competition are all here. There’s a refreshment table set up on the side of the room with coffee, tea and … donuts. Heidi catches my eye and smiles smugly. Show-off.
Carlos looks surprised to see me, but he waves me over to sit next to him.
Gilly stares me down as I take my seat. “Lucy, what are you doing here?”
“Obviously I’m here for the meeting. Sarah would be here too except no one bothered to notify either of us. I assume that must be a mistake.”
“I’m sorry, but this meeting is strictly for cast members.” Gilly’s pantsuit looks like it came off the pages of Vogue magazine, and her long dark hair has been professionally blown out. She’s also wearing red lipstick. I’ve ever seen her look so polished.
Before I can respond, Brittany and Darren rush through the door. I was wondering how long it would take them to get here. Brittany immediately picks up on the tension between Gilly and me. “I told Lucy about the meeting,” she blurts.
“I suspected as much.” Gilly turns back to face me. “Lucy, I know you were disappointed when Tara took you off the show, but I have to honor her decisions, which means you’re no longer part of this group.”
Mark Dalton crosses his arms over his chest. “Who’s in charge now that Tara is gone? And how long is this meeting going to last? I’m expecting a full house tonight, which means I have to get to work.”
“Any concerns you have can be brought to my attention,” Gilly answers in an icy tone. She looks at Mark with disdain. “And this meeting will last as long as it needs to.”
So the r
ole of Tara Bell will now be played by Gilly Franklin. It didn’t take long for a bit of power to go straight to Gilly’s head.
“Good to know who’s in charge,” I say. “But I’m afraid I’m not going anywhere. Read the contract. Written notification is the only way we can be taken off the show before filming begins, and that hasn’t happened. Until it does, I have just as much right to be here as the other contestants.”
Gilly looks momentarily confused. She looks to Alan and Pete for guidance. Alan shrugs as if to say this isn’t his area of expertise. “I’ll take that up with legal. I guess it won’t hurt if you stay. For now.”
“Darn right Lucy is staying,” says Carlos.
Juanita Torres, who’s sitting behind me, taps me on the shoulder and gives me a thumbs-up in support. I give her a thumbs-up right back. She’s flanked by her two sons, Miguel and Luis, both in their mid-thirties.
Brittany and Darren take their seats in the back of the room.
“As you all know, we’ve had a monumental setback with the show. Until matters are resolved, everything is at a standstill.” Gilly glances my way again, this time giving me a significant look. As if I’m somehow responsible for Tara’s death. Working with Tara must have affected Gilly’s brain cells. I can’t believe she told Travis and Zeke my joke about poisoning the muffins. In retrospect, no, it wasn’t funny, but I had no idea at the time what was about to go down.
“Resolved?” asks Wendy Figueroa. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Heidi raises her hand like we’re in a classroom. “Do the police know what happened to Tara?”
“They have their suspicions,” Gilly says tightly. “And I have to be honest. After what’s happened, the network is considering other locations, so there’s a good chance we won’t be filming here in Whispering Bay after all.”
The room erupts in murmurs.
“It’s just as well,” says Juanita. “I didn’t like the way Tara treated Lucy. If The Bistro by the Beach is off the show, then La Cantina isn’t going to participate either.”
“Neither is the Burger Barn,” says Carlos.
