by Cate Conte
She went white.
“Katrina? I’m sorry, I didn’t want to mention him but I didn’t want to lie.”
“No, no, it’s fine.” She stepped away from me, shaking her head. “I have to go.”
“How are you getting home? I’ll drive you,” I offered.
“I already called an Uber. It should be here any moment. Thanks for everything, Mads. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I watched her go, trying to ignore the sinking feeling her departure was giving me. I felt like a terrible friend, but I couldn’t force her to stay. I did wonder, though. She’d asked for our help but still seemed standoffish and unengaged about the whole thing, even going out of her way to change the subject or, like just now, removing herself from any related conversation. It could be because she was trying to deal with the whole arrest/bail/awaiting-trial thing—everyone had their own ways of dealing—but it felt weird to me.
My cell phone vibrated in my pocket, jolting me out of my thoughts, and I pulled it out and glanced at it. Craig.
“Hey,” I said. “What’s going on?”
“You home?” He sounded serious.
“Yeah.”
“Good. I’m outside. I need to talk to you.” Before I could say anything, he’d disconnected.
Now what? I headed to the door. He was already at it.
“What in the world is going on?” I asked as he strode past me into the house like he was on a mission. “If this is more stuff about Katrina I’m really not in the mood—”
He cut me off with a raised hand. “Not Katrina. Maddie, I need to tell you something. About Lucas.”
That, I wasn’t expecting. And hearing Lucas’s name made my stomach drop, as if I’d just begun the plunge down the particularly steep descent of a roller coaster. I steeled myself, at the same time reminding myself that Craig had never been a Lucas fan, mostly because I was. If there was more to it than that, he’d never let on. “What?” I asked.
“It’s about … while he was away.”
My heart sped up even more, leaving me feeling shaky and untethered. I had to work to get my feet figuratively under me again. I moved to the couch and sank down. “Sit. You’re making me nervous. How would you know about while he was away?” I asked.
Craig reluctantly perched on the edge of a chair. “I did some checking in … the system.”
“What system?”
He waved me away. “It’s not important what system. It was bothering me, though, especially since he’s been sniffing around you again.”
“Sniffing around me?” I laughed, but the sound was forced. “Really, Craig?”
“Look, do you want to hear this or not?”
Not really. “Fine, go ahead,” I said in a bored tone to let him know I was only entertaining this because we had a history.
“He was in jail.”
My jaw literally dropped. I’d seen the phenomenon in cartoons but didn’t really think it was a thing in real life. However, it happened. I stared at him. “What … what do you mean ‘in jail’? For what?”
“In Virginia. I couldn’t get details. I wasn’t really supposed to be doing this because it’s not related to anything I’m working on, but I was able to get the basics. Assault and battery was the charge.”
This was making no sense to me. I wasn’t that bad of a character judge … was I? My sweet, considerate Lucas, who had never even raised his voice in my presence, had been arrested and charged with hurting someone? I didn’t want Craig to know how shaken I was by this news, so I tried to cover it under a sarcastic tone. “Who was he assaulting and battering?” I asked finally, when I was sure my voice would work without shaking. His family lived in Virginia—I did know that. But who would he have assaulted?
“I didn’t get that information,” Craig said.
“So what happened? He was in jail, and then … what? Is he going to trial? How did he get out?”
“Like I said, I didn’t have access to the whole file.”
“Well, you’re just a fount of information these days, aren’t you?” I said. I couldn’t help the bitterness I heard oozing out of my tone.
He looked taken aback. “What do you mean?”
I shrugged. “Katrina’s secrets, Lucas’s secrets. You seem to know it all.”
“Hey. I just wanted to help Katrina. And you,” he added. “Since I know you’re still hung up on the guy.”
“I am not hung up,” I snapped. “And I don’t know how helpful it is to dig up people’s secrets that clearly they’re ashamed of and not wanting the whole world to know about!”
“I hardly think I’m the whole world,” Craig responded dryly. “It’s not like I called Becky and asked her to feature the news on the front page.”
“Not funny.” I glanced down when JJ jumped into my lap—seriously, this cat had a sixth sense for when I needed him—and kept my eyes averted. I didn’t want Craig to see how hurt—and shell-shocked—I was at this news. I knew it would be all over my face. I wanted to know more, but I didn’t think he actually knew any more. I’m sure he would’ve been happy to tell me if he did. Seemed like he would always carry this grudge against Lucas. He would always think we would’ve gotten back together if Lucas hadn’t been in the picture.
“Are you going to tell everyone? Did you already tell Grandpa?”
He gave me a look through slanted eyes. “I wouldn’t do that. You don’t have to worry about it. Anyway, I just thought you should know.” He turned and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” I demanded.
“To work,” he said through gritted teeth, his hand on the doorknob.
“Now?”
Craig sighed and let go, turning around to look at me. “Yes, now. Why do you care? You didn’t exactly want to hear the news I shared. You made that perfectly clear.”
I clenched and unclenched my fists, not sure what I wanted—what a surprise. Finally I sagged onto the couch and dropped my head into my hands. “I’m sorry. I know I’m a jerk and you were just looking out for me. And I know you always do,” I said, glancing up at him. “I just … don’t know what to think about all this. And I’m hurt. And angry. I’m hurt and angry and I don’t know what to do about it.”
It felt good to say that out loud. Even with Becky, it had been hard to verbalize that. Anger was easier. It made me look less weak. But I knew anger came from hurt, and I had that in spades.
He came and sat next to me, slipping an arm around my shoulder. “I know. I’m sorry, Maddie. I really am. And I wish I could’ve gotten more details for you.”
I smiled a little sadly and leaned into him. “I do too, but I also don’t.”
“I know that too. But I wouldn’t want him trying to hide it from you either.”
“He’s been trying to explain,” I said. “I just haven’t let him. I guess my gut knew I wouldn’t like it.”
We were silent for a moment, then he glanced at his watch. “I really have to go. I’m here if you need anything.”
I put on a brave smile. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
He gave me another squeeze, then rose and headed out the door, leaving me with my thoughts and questions. I hadn’t realized I could feel any worse about this situation, but apparently it was possible.
Chapter 35
Thursday, December 31: nine days after the murder
10:30 p.m.
“Jail,” I said miserably, swirling my drink around in my glass. “He was in jail. In Virginia. For assault and battery. He went to Boston, ended up in Virginia, and went to jail. Can you believe it?”
Val, Ethan, Becky, and I had gone out to celebrate the new year, even though I didn’t feel like I had much to celebrate. I still hadn’t found Virgil’s real killer, Katrina was still facing a murder charge and had gone home to be alone, and now I find out that my kind-of boyfriend had been in jail. This wasn’t the way I wanted to ring in the new year, although I was happy to put this year in the rearview mirror. Aside from moving home and open
ing the cat café, things had been mostly crappy to say the least.
We were at Jade Moon, where basically the only good party on the island was happening. Since, you know, most of the island was deserted at this time of year. Which was awkward, since I knew Craig and Jade were having problems. And I couldn’t help but feel like she blamed me. I’d caught her sneaking glances at our table, but she hadn’t come over to say hi yet. Although she could just be busy and I was crazy. Which was becoming more and more possible given the circumstances.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Val said. “There has to be a reason. Maybe he caught some guy abusing a woman and stepped in, and the cops got called and he was hauled away. It was a misunderstanding! Had to be.” She looked at me, waiting for me to perk up at this possibility. “Craig couldn’t find out anything else?”
Ethan nodded. “It’s not a crazy idea. We’d need the details to really get a good picture of this.”
Becky and I just stared at them.
“What?” Val asked indignantly.
“Nothing,” I said. “I would just love to know when you became such a romantic.”
“Or a fiction writer,” Becky added.
“Oh come on! Lucas isn’t a criminal. I’m not buying that.” Val sat back and crossed her arms. “And by the way, you’d know the story if you gave the guy five minutes to explain it. Then you wouldn’t be over here making up your own fiction about how he’s suddenly become a”—she cast around for a fitting crime—“rapist or drug dealer or something.”
She kind of had a point, but I didn’t want to have this conversation again.
“So get this,” I said, desperate to change the subject. “Jade and Craig aren’t seeing each other anymore, apparently.”
Val’s eyes widened. “Really? Why?”
“I have no idea. I asked him about her and he just said they weren’t seeing each other at the moment. Or something like that.”
“That’s too bad,” Ethan said. “I wondered why he wasn’t here tonight. Unless he’s working, of course.”
“At the moment. What does that mean?” Becky asked.
I shrugged. “But he was telling me about it when Lucas came around the corner. I could tell he thought he’d interrupted something.” I smiled. “Good.”
Val pressed her lips together but didn’t say anything about that. Instead she said, “That’s too bad. I kind of thought they were good together.”
I gave her a funny look. “You’ve been thinking about Craig’s love life?”
Val shrugged and kissed Ethan’s cheek. “My own is going so well, and you don’t want to talk about yours, so…” She winked.
“Not funny. And I have no love life.” I crossed my arms over my chest in defense.
Val just looked at me.
“What?”
“You could,” she said.
And suddenly, we were talking about this again. I looked at Becky for help, but she had none to offer. She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “She’s kind of right, much as I hate to say it.”
I looked at Ethan. He held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I’m not saying anything.”
I glared at all of them and tipped my glass back, swallowing the rest of my special New Year’s Eve martini, the name of which I couldn’t remember at the moment. I put my glass down and held up my finger. “No more talking if that’s all you can talk about. I’m getting another drink. Who wants another drink?”
“Me,” Becky said, amused.
“Me too,” Val said, looking less amused.
“Here.” Ethan handed me some bills. “Me too but I’m buying.”
I plucked the bills out of his hand. I never turn down a free drink. “I’ll be right back.” I was feeling just tipsy enough that going up to talk to Jade seemed like a good idea. I scoped out the bar and found one lone seat near the end, so I hopped on the chair and waited for her to notice me.
It took her a long time. Although in fairness, it was pretty busy. One of the other bartenders came over, but I said I was waiting for Jade. He shrugged and walked away, tapping her on the shoulder and pointing at me.
Jade took her time coming over. When she did, she nodded, but didn’t smile. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I said.
“What can I get you?”
I rattled off the drinks, then leaned over to grab her arm when she nodded and prepared to walk away. “Wait.”
She paused, glancing down at my arm, then back at me.
“I actually wanted to talk to you.”
“I’m a little busy,” she said dryly, waving her hand at the crowd. “Talk to me about what?”
“Craig.”
Jade’s jaw set. “What about him?”
“I heard you guys weren’t really seeing each other anymore.”
“And?” Jade pulled the cloth from her back pocket and flicked it at a nonexistent spot on the bar.
“And I … was sad to hear that,” I said. I was starting to feel a little stupid. Also, she wasn’t totally receptive to this conversation. I wasn’t sure why I’d thought she would be—maybe I’d assumed it would be like two friends dishing about guy troubles—but clearly she didn’t see me that way. And why should she? We were acquaintances at best. I liked Jade, but that didn’t mean we’d gotten tight.
Maybe making this decision based on two drinks hadn’t been the best idea.
“Really,” she said, sounding unimpressed.
“Yeah. Really.”
“I figured you’d be delighted,” she said. “Now you get another chance.”
I stared at her. “Why would I be delighted? And what do you mean, ‘another chance’?”
“Oh, come on, Maddie,” Jade said. “Look, I have work to do. And I’m sure you want your drinks.” She turned to walk away.
“Jade. What happened with you two?” I blurted out. “Because I hope it’s not that you think he has a thing for me or something. Or that I was trying to get him back. Look, it was a long time ago. When we dated. We’ve stayed friends, that’s all. My parents have known him all his life, and he worked for my grandfather, so he’s like family. That’s it. Honestly.” I was babbling, but I couldn’t help myself. I don’t know what it was about Jade, but I always felt a little awkward when I talked to her.
She watched my impassioned speech without a word, making me feel like I needed to keep filling the space with my voice. Which kept getting louder to try to rise above the noise level in the bar, which was also getting louder as the night went on.
Jade worked pretty hard to keep the I couldn’t care less look on her face, but I could see her eyes were sad. “I don’t really think it’s any of your business,” she said. “And if there’s nothing between you two, why do you care? I’m not in the market for a relationship coach.”
“Of course I care. Because he’s my friend, and I hope you are too,” I said. “And I want him to be happy. He’s done nothing but help my family, and I’m just trying to help him. If you don’t want to hear what I have to say, fine. But I had to say it.”
Her face softened a bit and she looked like she might be about to drop the attitude and say something genuine, but at that moment a group of four rowdy guys sauntered up to the bar, laughing and talking loudly. Jade’s eyes narrowed. “Great,” she muttered. “Like I need this kind of trouble.”
I glanced over at the guys and then did a double take.
One of them was Trey Barnes.
Chapter 36
Thursday, December 31: nine days after the murder
11:10 p.m.
I sucked in a breath. “Do you know them?” I asked Jade.
“Unfortunately,” she said. “They come in here a lot.” She looked like this was not a good thing.
I was dying to ask her why, but she had turned away to go make my drinks and take more orders, since the bar was getting fuller and fuller as the night went on. I stayed where I was and watched Trey and his friends. They reminded me of a group of frat boys. One of them in particular rubbed
me the wrong way, the way he catcalled any woman who entered his field of vision—especially Jade. Trey was the quietest of the bunch, but that wasn’t saying much.
I wondered again how old this guy was. He couldn’t be more than forty. Maybe forty-five, if he took really good care of himself. His wife seriously had to be around seventy. Ugh. Just the thought of it grossed me out.
I considered my options. I would probably never get another chance to talk to Trey without his wife’s hawk eyes on us. And I was clearly failing in my attempts to narrow down my suspect pool. Maybe he knew something about what was going on in the neighborhood. He always seemed to be home, so maybe he was privy to some of the goings-on that happened out of sight of the others.
Decision made, I slid off my seat and went over to them, bracing myself for the inevitable. It came immediately when the most-vile member of the group saw me first and leaned forward with a salacious leer.
“Well, well,” he said, and I realized he was clearly on something aside from booze. “Hello, gorgeous. Looking to start the new year off right?”
I recoiled and, trying to ignore him, focused on Trey. “Hey. Do you remember me?”
He squinted at me through a haze of God knows what, but a glimmer of recognition did appear in his eyes. “Yeah. Aren’t you the cat girl?”
I smiled a little. “That’s me. Can I talk to you for a second?”
He looked uncertain, but his friends all started poking him and laughing. Seriously, were these guys twelve? I saw Jade watching us and hoped she didn’t think I was trying to pick up one of these buffoons.
“Go for it, Barnes,” one of the others said, shoving him in my direction. “And then bring her back for us when you’re done.”
I stared, openmouthed, and then snapped my jaw shut and stabbed my index finger at the guy. “Watch it, you piece of crap, or I’ll—”
“I got this,” Trey muttered. “Leave her alone,” he admonished his friend. “She’s got police contacts. Relatives or something. Right?” He stared hard at me, obviously trying to remember.