Photo Bombed

by Daria White

He unclicked his seatbelt. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.” She ran her hands down her pant legs. “Can I ask something? As a concerned friend?”

  His eyebrows drew together, but his face softened. “Sure.”

  “What’s going on with Chad?” she asked.

  “No concrete evidence to prove anything,” he said.

  “And Jordan’s attacker?”

  Detective Sims offered a small smile. “All we have is him collapsing to the ground. With the angle of the security camera, the attacker was out of view. Until Jordan’s better to talk, he can’t give us a statement.”

  Bianca’s chest heaved with a sigh. “Thank you.”

  He bobbed his head. “Make sure you get home safe.”

  She smiled. “I will.”

  The door clicked when he shut it and her eyes followed him walking to his car. Bianca grabbed her phone to check her messages, only to see a text from Nicole. How did she not hear her phone buzz?

  Nicole: Thank you for your support in all of this. I want this to be over.

  Bianca touched a hand to her chest. Then she typed her reply.

  How are you? Chad? Priscilla?

  Nicole: So far, Chad’s fine. I’m trying not to worry about Jordan. I think Priscilla’s the only one holding it together.

  Bianca recalled her own mother’s attitude when her father had died. Her strength had never wavered for her daughters and she’d worked to take care of them. Next thing Bianca had known, her mother had started her own matchmaking business. Her reasoning, “I want people to find what I had with your father.”

  I hope she’s taking it easy.

  Nicole: Me too. Also, no rush on our thank you photos. Chad and I want to wait until this is resolved to send them

  Bianca didn’t blame her. She would keep the pictures saved. While she thought about asking her about the young man she’d seen with Priscilla, her eyes spotted Richard exiting the country club.

  Have to go. I’ll talk to you later. Let me know if you need anything.

  Nicole: Thanks. I will. Talk soon!

  Bianca cut the engine to her car and sprinted to the front door. Would her plan work?

  “Bianca?” Richard said once he saw her.

  Bingo. She pivoted to face him. “Richard? Hi! Nice to see you in the daylight.”

  He ran a hand down his neck. “Haha yes it is. What are you doing here? You play golf now?”

  Bianca bit at her bottom lip. “I’m not any good, but my dad was a fan so…”

  Richard bobbed his head. Thank goodness her answer sufficed.

  Her next question was worth a shot. “How are you and Judy? With, you know, everything going on?”

  He gestured for her to walk with him. “So far, we’re doing fine. She’s been on edge, but I can’t blame her.”

  “Is… Judy at the bakery by chance? I may want some cinnamon buns to take home.”

  Richard checked his watch. “She should be. It’s getting close to our peak hours. I only came here to unwind.” Then he walked to his truck and loaded his golf clubs. “Will you be stopping by the bakery later?” His phone buzzed, and he retrieved it from his pocket. “One second.”

  Bianca nodded. “Sure.”

  Richard’s eyes widened as his fingers typed away on his phone. “Looks like Judy needs me at the bakery.” He raised his chin and looked at Bianca. “See you later.”

  “I hope so. If not, I’ll come by sometime next week.”

  “Have a good one,” he said.

  She replied. “You too.”

  Then he slid into his driver’s seat. The engine roared when he started it, and he backed out of his parking space. Left alone in the parking lot, Bianca tapped her foot on the concrete.

  Buzz, buzz.

  Bianca stared at her phone in her hand. She knew this number. Why didn’t she save it on her phone?

  She answered. “Hello?”

  “Are you home as promised, Ms. Wallace?”

  Detective Sims?

  She placed her hand on her hip. “I promised that?”

  “You agreed to get home safe.”

  She marched back to her car. “I ran into… a friend, so I stopped and said hello.”

  “A friend?”

  “Richard Long. Judy’s husband. He says she was at the bakery. I don’t think he knows about her trip to the motel.”

  Detective Sims sighed.

  Her mouth twisted. “I know. Go home.”

  “What else do you know?”

  Her eyebrows raised. “Nothing more, I promise.”

  Chapter 27

  Friday night. Pacing outside of Alyssa’s room, Bianca inhaled and exhaled. Her daughter’s first date. Correction. Group date. Apparently, a group of kids from her school were throwing another party, but her daughter couldn’t wait to get home to tell her that Kendrick, her crush, had asked her to go with him. Alyssa had practically squealed and bounced on her toes.

  Malcom wanted to run a background check on the boy. Bianca had talked him out of it. Still, Malcom had her swear to take a picture of the boy on her phone, in case he tried something with their daughter.

  “Mom!” Alyssa yelled through her door.

  “Yes?” Bianca could hear her rattled nerves in her daughter’s wavering voice.

  Alyssa’s door opened with a whoosh. “What do you think? Too much?”

  Bianca stared at her daughter’s fitted floral blouse and dark blue jeans. “I like it.” 

  “Ugh.” Alyssa stalked back inside her room and to her closet.

  Bianca followed her. “I don’t think you have much time, sweetie. Didn’t he say six-thirty?”

  Alyssa’s gray shirt flew out the closet along with another jean jacket. “I don’t know which one.”

  Bianca stopped her daughter and placed her hand on her shoulders. “First, breathe.”

  Alyssa exhaled.

  “Second.” Bianca inspected her daughter’s makeup. “Is that a plum color on your lips?”

  “Too much?”

  Bianca bobbed her head. “I’d go with a lighter lip color. Sometimes less is more.”

  Alyssa sat in front of her mirror, and with a tissue, she wiped her lips clean of her plum lip color. Then she held up another color. “Pink?”

  Bianca tilted her head. “I think that’ll work.” She walked behind her daughter. Leaning over, she kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry. Just be yourself and have fun. Not too much fun.” She raised an eyebrow.

  “I know, Mom.” Alyssa smiled. When the doorbell rang, she wrung her hands together. “Mom, please don’t grill him with questions.”

  “If I don’t, your father will. Choose.”

  Alyssa’s shoulders drooped.

  Bianca rubbed her back and headed to the front door. “I won’t embarrass you.” When she opened the door, she saw an athletic-looking teenage boy, round faced, brown skin, with small mole on his left cheek. Bianca could have sworn she saw sweat glistening along his hairline, but she didn’t want to put him on the spot. “You must be Kendrick?”

  He bobbed his head and extended his hand. “Yes. Ma’am.”

  So far, so good. She motioned for him to come in. He followed her to the living room.

  Kendrick sat on the couch, running his hands down his pant legs. Casper trotted over and sniffed the hem of his jeans. When the boy reached down to pet him, Casper licked his hand.

  A hmm escaped Bianca’s mouth. She sat across from him on her loveseat. “You have his approval. Alyssa should be ready soon.”

  “I don’t mind waiting.” His tenor voice tremored, but he cleared his throat.

  “Mind if I take a picture of you two before you leave?” Bianca waved her phone. “Her father lives in California.”

  Kendrick nodded. “Sure, no problem.”

  “And don’t forget her curfew is eleven-thirty.”

  “She told me,” he said. “Thank you. I really like Alyssa.” His eyes bulged. “Probably shouldn’t say t
hat right now.”

  Bianca chuckled. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell her. Besides, I think she’ll appreciate that coming from you.”

  He smiled.

  “I’m here,” Alyssa said. When her eyes locked with Kendrick’s, her grin grew. “Hi.”

  He stood to his feet. “Hi, Alyssa. You look great.” He inched closer to her.

  Bianca didn’t know whether to bask in her daughter’s first date or laugh at her old teenage self. Had she been that wrapped up in Malcom on their first date? Bianca looked upward. Yes.

  “Don’t forget. I need a picture.” She opened her camera.

  “Mom?” Alyssa groaned.

  “It’s no problem,” Kendrick said. “It’s cool.”

  Alyssa faced him. “You sure?”

  He bobbed his head and draped an arm over her shoulders.

  Bianca inwardly winced but snapped the photos. Man, was her daughter almost grown. “Perfect. Have a good time.”

  Kendrick extended his hand to Alyssa and headed for the door. “Thank you, Ms. Wallace.”

  “Bye, Mom.” Alyssa added.

  Bianca followed them outside and waited on the porch until Kendrick pulled out of the driveway. She ignored her eyes filling with tears and waved goodbye as they drove off. The pitter-patter of Casper’s paws made her look downward.

  “What?” She dabbed her eyes. “I’m not crying. Not really.”

  He wagged his tail, looking unconvinced.

  “Stop judging me.” She marched inside and he followed. Bianca’s breathing slowed as more memories of the past flooded her thoughts. She blinked.

  Everyone in her life had moved on. Malcom had remarried. Her mother had started her own business. Alyssa was repairing her relationship with her father. Bianca paced to her bedroom.

  Sitting on her bed, a shallow sigh escaped her lips. It wasn’t too late. She could change her life. That’s what she had been doing, except in her personal life. Even at the nightclub, all Bianca did was think more about Martin’s murder.

  Stalking to her closet, she chose one of her dressier outfits. No shame in taking herself out. Choosing a mint green blouse, black-and-white pants, and her heeled boots, Bianca dressed quickly.

  Buzz, buzz.

  She picked up her phone. Malcom.

  Did she leave?

  Bianca texted him the pictures she’d taken of Kendrick and Alyssa.

  See for yourself.

  She touched up her makeup and pulled her hair back into a low ponytail

  Malcom: I can’t deal with this.

  Me, neither lol

  He didn’t message her back, so she could only assume Malcom was still processing his baby girl out on her first date. Casper barked and Bianca bit at her bottom lip.

  “She left already? I was on an important call.” Melanie came from the hallway. “I was hoping to see her date before they left.”

  “She’s gone.”

  A tsk escaped her sister’s lips. “Okay. Did Mom call you?”

  “She called Alyssa earlier,” she said.

  A grin escaped Melanie’s lips. “Well I have an article to finish.”

  “When are you leaving for work again?”

  “At the end of the month so I have some time off,” Melanie said.

  Bianca walked past her sister. “I’ll be back.”

  Melanie teased her. “You have a date too?” She headed back to her room.

  Bianca’s mouth hung open but didn’t reply. Then she looked down at Casper. “You want to come?”

  He wagged his tail.

  “Fine.” They headed out the door and to her car. The drive to downtown Edenville was short, and Bianca didn’t have to worry about parking. She hooked Casper’s leash and the two of them walked.

  Bianca listened to the occasional honk of a horn, while taking the in the spices and food cooking at nearby restaurants. She stared at the few buildings that lit at night, and pausing at a crosswalk, she tapped her foot.

  The light changed, signaling her to walk forward. Casper took the lead, and she grinned, but warmth spread through her body when she spotted Detective Sims.

  He wasn’t in his usual police attire or his gym clothes. Dark jeans and a dark polo shirt were his attire for the evening. Was he out on the town too? Bianca swallowed.

  When he saw her coming toward him, he stuffed his hands inside his pockets. He gave a crisp nod.

  “Detective,” Bianca said.

  “Ms. Wallace.” He bent to pet Casper, who stood on his hind legs. After a few scratches behind the dog’s ears, he straightened to his feet. “You out for a walk too?”

  “More like trying not to spy on my daughter.” She covered her hand with her mouth as soon as the words left her. “I didn’t mean—”

  He chuckled. “I guess if I had more information, I’d understand.”

  “Her first date is tonight. She’s out with some friends and the boy she likes.” She walked forward, and to her surprise, Detective Sims walked beside her.

  “So you’re keeping yourself occupied?” he asked.

  “Right.”

  “How’s that working for you?”

  “It’s… not.” She stopped in her tracks. “Anyway, enjoying the fresh air after a hard day at work?”

  He chuckled. “Something like that.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not asking you about the case. Tonight’s my night off from sleuthing.”

  Did he inch closer? “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that.”

  Bianca’s breath quickened. Casper tugged her toward the street. “I should, um… get going. It’s getting… late.” Why did she sound like a bumbling teenager? She backed to the curb, thankful she didn’t fall to her face.

  Detective Sims waved. “Have a good night.”

  “You too.” Bianca turned to walk, only for her body to jerk. She looked down. She wiggled her right foot, but it didn’t budge. Had she caught her heel in a utility hole? Great. Her heel caught in the cover of a sewage hole.

  “Ms. Wallace?” Detective Sims walked over.

  “I got it.” She wiggled and yanked, but nothing. Not her favorite boots. Why did this have to happen now?

  “I think you need some help.” He bent down, touching a hand to her ankle.

  Bianca’s eyes wandered about. Were there people watching?

  “Pull on three?” he suggested.

  She forced a smile, wishing she could disappear from the embarrassment.

  Detective Sims secured his hands around her ankle. “One. Two. Three.”

  Pop. Bianca’s heel was free from the sewage hole, but boy, was this something she didn’t want to spread around Edenville.

  “The heel’s a little scuffed, but I think you’re all right. You don’t feel any pain in your ankle, do you?” he asked.

  She put weight on her right foot. So far, so good. “I’m fine.” She had to get home. Her free hand curled around her middle. Where was her car? She needed to get back to her car.

  “Goodnight, Ms. Wallace,” Detective Sims said.

  Bianca waved with her back to him. What a night. It couldn’t get any worse.

  Chapter 28

  That Sunday afternoon, Bianca, Alyssa, Melanie, along with Casper joined her mother for their family dinner. “I don’t want you anywhere near this case.” Deborah Wallace pointed to her daughter. “I can’t believe you’re just now telling me about that car chase.”

  Melanie shrunk back in her chair. Bianca knew her sister hadn’t intended for the information to slip out, but once it had, their mother touched a hand to her chest. Her brow wrinkled.

  Bianca twirled the spaghetti, hearing the scrape of cutlery on her plate. How long had her mother been lecturing her? At least five minutes. She sat next to her sister, who nibbled on a breadstick. How did they go from talking about Alyssa’s first date to Melanie slipping up about the car chase?

  Bianca watched her mother pour a glass of tea. “I don’t care. I want my daughters safe.”


  “We are,” Melanie said.

  Bianca breathed in the garlic that wafted off the tomato sauce. Too bad her appetite wasn’t there.

  Melanie reached for her mother’s hand. “Mom, we know you’re worried, but there’s no need to be.”

  “That is scary.” Alyssa added.

  Bianca squeezed her daughter’s hand.

  Then Bianca’s mother continued. “How do I know this idiot won’t come after you again? I’ve already lost…”

  Bianca felt a twinge in her heart. Her father. She stood from her seat and walked over to her mother. Leaning over, she wrapped her arms around her mother’s shoulders. “Mom, nothing bad is going to happen to us.”

  Her mother patted her arm. “I know you, sweetie. You don’t give up. You get that from your father.”

  “That’s a good thing, right?” She straightened to see her mother’s face.

  Her mother turned in her chair and raised an eyebrow. “I’m serious, Bianca.”

  “Mom, don’t worry. We’ll both be careful.” Melanie then played a song on her phone.

  Bianca’s grin grew, noticing the tune. A favorite of her dad’s. The Temptations’ “Since I Lost My Baby.” She took her mother’s hand, pulling her to her feet. “Come on. It’s tradition.”

  Her mother shook her head as her daughters danced to the classic song. Then her eyes beamed as she shimmied her shoulders. They all laughed.

  These were the moments that mattered the most. She would be careful. Nothing would harm her or her family again. Bianca had made a promise to herself to do just that when her dad had died and she’d reminded herself of that after Malcom’s infidelity. She would take care of her own.

  The ladies moved side to side, grooving to the song. Even Casper, Jasper, and Horas barked along. Bianca snapped her fingers as she twisted and turned to the music. It wasn’t until her phone rang on the table that she stopped dancing.

  Melanie continued with her mother. Bianca covered one ear to hear.

  “No phones, Bianca.” Her mother reminded her.

  “It’s Chad, Mom. It could be important.” She answered. “Hello?” she said.

  “Bianca?”

  “Chad?”

  “The police officially arrested Nicole. They found the murder weapon. Plus a witness came forward saying that she was missing during the time Martin was murdered.”