by Marlie May
“I’m always serious with the women in my life.”
Steam must’ve been coming from my ears because he snickered.
“Women, huh?” I cocked my hand on my hip. “How many women are we talking about here?” Hell. Why was I even going in this direction? I didn’t care if he had fifty girlfriends clinging to him with another fifty on the side.
Tilting his head, he studied my face. “Do you really want to know?”
“I don’t.” I tugged him over to the sofa and sat, pulling him down beside me.
“Now, that’s more like it.” He laid his arm along my shoulders, and his fingers played with my hair.
I shifted away. “I didn’t come here for that.” I would’ve taken a chair instead, but this was a library. It wasn’t only about disturbing those sitting nearby. I didn’t want anyone overhearing what I said. “If you wanted to investigate a murder, how would you go about doing it?”
“Wait.” He leaned back, his brow narrowed. “You weren’t joking?”
“Nope.”
“You didn’t bring me to make-out corner for its usual activity.”
“Double nope.”
“I’m sorry.” His face softened. “I guess I thought you were playing around, that this was…well, obviously, it’s not.” After dropping his arm back to his side, he frowned. “Tell me what’s going on. You mentioned murder.”
I explained everything that had happened, including what I’d found in the report.
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“If it was me, I’d leave it to the police. They must be investigating already.”
“I intend to.” I wasn’t stupid enough to think I could handle the investigation all on my own. That only happened on TV. But I wanted to help them along by providing facts about Mr. Somerfield, assuming I could find any.
“If I was you, I’d locate the officer in charge of the case and ask a few questions.” Pausing, he studied my face. “You don’t remember anything about that night, you said.”
“I’ve had a few flashbacks.” I shared my memory of Brianna holding something in the galley and me trying to rescue them. “You’d really leave this to the police?”
“The potential murder of my family and best friend? Hell, no.”
“Then why should I?”
He glanced away. “Certainly not because you’re a girl.”
I huffed. “Right answer.”
“What can you do?” His hands spread wide. “It’s not like you can dive into the sea and find the wreck. Or question the coroner.”
Ideas I’d already considered, but dismissed. I’d been scuba diving once, but I didn’t own equipment. I wouldn’t know where to begin looking, even if I did. The report had mentioned a nautical location but I’d need a boat, dive equipment, plus who knows what else.
As for the coroner, I’d already tried to set up an appointment but had been shot down. Something about being too busy, but I suspected coroners did not enjoy discussing possible murder with the victims’ relatives, let alone teenage girls.
“I’ll do whatever I have to do.” My voice cracked. “Don’t you understand? It’s my family. My best friend.” I lifted my arms then flopped them on my thighs. “I can’t sleep until I know what happened.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “Then your next step is to go to the police department and talk to the officer in charge of the case.”
“I’ll go there this afternoon, after school.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“You will?”
“I have an in.”
“You do?” What had he been up to besides punching someone?
He grinned. “Who else can play Sherlock to your Watson?”
He did make a pretty decent Sherlock, but I’d never seen myself as the side-kick. I’d lead this case.
“What time do you end your librarian shift today?” I asked.
“Last bell.”
“Let’s do it, then.” I scooted to the edge of the sofa. “I’ll meet you in the student parking lot after school.”
He glanced at his phone. “Since we’ve got, ah, fifteen minutes.” Grinning, he patted the scant inches of cushion between us. “You sure you don’t want to try things out?”
Make-out corner had a reputation for drawing groping freshmen. As a senior, I should be beyond that.
I didn’t want to kiss Manuel, did I?
Flustered, I stood up fast and scurried to the first row of stacks where I paused and glanced over my shoulder. Such an odd look on his face, as if he was disappointed. Manuel was the king of joking around. He’d only been teasing about kisses, hadn’t he?
After retrieving my stuff from my locker, I walked toward the front of the building and found Alex sitting on the bench outside the main office.
With still a few minutes left before school ended, I approached and sat beside her. “How are things?”
She shrugged and shifted her feet back and forth, skipping the soles on the tiled floor. “Decent all around, I suppose.” Her voice lightened. “I’m waiting for my mom.” Her lips twisted. “Riding the bus is not an option.”
“Can’t blame you there.” Half the time, it smelled like vomit, and the rest of the time, it overflowed with sticky little kids.
“My surgery date is set. In two weeks, the plastic surgeon will work a miracle on my face. After that, I’m done. Outside of healing. Then, finally, I’ll get to take this crappy thing off.” Her fingertips stroked her jawline through the pressure garment. “I hate it so much.”
I couldn’t blame her for being excited to be finished. While my grafts had been minor, I’d looked forward to my last surgery, too.
“Hey,” I said. “Want to get together with me and Sean sometime? We could go to a movie. Make cookies.”
Since she faced forward, it was hard to tell what she was thinking, but I could swear she flinched. “I don’t think so.”
“He’s a good guy. We’ve been friends for years.”
“Yeah?” she whispered. “You sure you don’t like him as more than a friend?”
“No way. I already told you. To me, Sean will never be boyfriend material.”
“He’s cute.” The sigh she released shouted yearning.
Is that what this was about? She must have a crush on Sean and was scared to let him know because of her burns. Her attitude made sense, now. I could tell her that he’d never been superficial. If he liked someone, he wouldn’t care what they looked like. But I wouldn’t play matchmaker when he was still mourning Brianna.
“He and Brianna, my best friend who died, were crazy about each other.” I said it to give her an idea of what she was up against.
“Yeah?”
“He misses her, maybe even more than I do.”
She grunted. “He doesn’t miss her much if he can go to the movies or make cookies.”
“Sitting home alone is torture for him. Me, too. All I do is think. If he’s like me, I know he wants to hang out with friends. Forget it ever happened, if only for a few hours.”
“Forget.” Turning, her attention fell on my face. “Will you be able to forget it happened while you’re at the movies?”
No. “I can try.”
“I doubt Sean’s going to try. He’s going to do.”
“Maybe.” Sean had proven persistence if nothing else. “Why are you so hard on him?”
“I don’t know.” Tilting her head back, she puffed out a breath. “It could be because I don’t think anyone will ever look past what’s on my outside to find out who I truly am on the inside.”
“Give him a chance. Then you’ll see what a nice guy he is.”
“I’ll try.” Her lips curled. “How about we got to a Halloween party together? I’m already in costume.”
“Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Act like this is all about pity, that I don’t want to be friends with you.”
“We can be friends during Grief Group.”
I leaned away from her, frowning. “Why not all the time?”
She didn’t say anything for a long while, just stared toward the glass trophy case mounted on the opposite wall. “Do you believe in fate?”
This had nothing to do with my offer of friendship. “In the past, no. But now? I think it was fate that you were in the library at the right time, so you could push me out of the way before the lamp hit me. Without you there, my fate would’ve changed. I could’ve been killed.” I shuddered at the memory, still not convinced the cord had frayed all on its own.
“Hmm.” She reached up and stroked her fingertips along her cheek. “That night of the fire? I was at a friend’s house.”
How had she been burned, then?
“I forgot something and went home to get it. My friend’s place was only a few houses down from ours.” A soft keening came from her lips. She tucked her legs up on the bench and wrapped her arms around them. “When I got there, the place was an inferno. The police had arrived but the fire trucks hadn’t come, yet. I tried to run past the police, but they held me back.” She dropped her chin onto her knees and shoved up her glasses. “I went around to the back door. The flames weren’t as bad there, and I got inside. Mom was lying on the kitchen floor, passed out from the smoke, but I dragged her out. I went back in for Dad and my brothers, but I couldn’t get to them. They were upstairs. The fire. It was so hot. And I made things worse. With the back door open, the fire could breathe and grow.”
Fire. My mind flashed backward.
“Think my parents would miss this?” I asked Brianna, holding up a bottle of champagne.
Brianna snickered. “Champagne is worth the risk.”
“Let’s drink it up on the deck where my parents won’t see.”
“I can have one glass. A small one.”
“What, you on a no alcohol diet?”
She rubbed her temple. “My head hurts.”
“All the more reason to drink.”
“Not tonight.”
“Okay,” I grumbled. “See you upstairs.” Champagne bottle and plastic cups in hand, I left the main cabin and walked up the narrow stairs to the second level of the yacht.
Behind me—
Alex sighed, and I jolted back to the present. “I heard them screaming but I couldn’t do anything except let them die.” Dropping her legs to the floor, she lowered her face into her hands. “Why did this happen to me? If I’d been there instead of at my friend’s house, I might’ve been able to save all of them.”
I rubbed her shoulder, wishing I could give her comfort somehow. “Fate’s a bitch.”
She snorted and blotted tears from her eyes with the end of her tee. “Sure is.”
Kids streamed past us, heading for busses. Behind, in the principal’s office, a phone rang and the secretary picked it up.
I needed to leave soon if I was going to meet up with Manuel.
But I didn’t want to let this go. “You want to get together sometime for iced coffee, then?”
“I don’t like being on display. I’m so tired of everyone staring.” Her hand flipped toward kids around us. “Here, I kind of fit in because they’re used to me, but outside?” She shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, though.”
“If you change your mind…”
“Tell you what,” she said. “Let’s exchange numbers. I’ll think about it.”
12
A short time later, I sat in my car, drumming my fingers on the dash while the AC cranked out the good stuff.
Because I didn’t want her to worry, I texted my aunt. I’m going to be late, so don’t hold supper.
Going out with a boy?
How could she get that from ‘being late’? Not really.
A boy!!!
Please. We’re just friends.
But…a boy!!!!! I’m glad for you.
Had she dipped into the alcohol again? I’d seen her drive away from the school not ten minutes ago and it was only two-thirty. Jeez. This was too giddy. Grumbling, I shoved the sticky hair off my face.
Is this like a practice date? she texted. To see if you like each other first?
I groaned. No.
My aunt was a decent enough person and outside of the alcohol that she’d promised to avoid from now on, I was okay with her filling in as a parent. But I was not going to share details about my love life. Not that I had a love life, but still.
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
I refused to ask what that might be. I’ll be home later.
Before 10!
Yay, before ten.
With a groan, I tucked my phone away.
Sean strolled over, and I lowered my window. He knelt to eye level. “Why are you sitting in the lot?”
“I’m waiting for Manuel, then we’re…” Since I hadn’t told him about the suspected murder, I couldn’t exactly tell him that Manuel and I were going to the police station to look into said murder. “We’re investigating something.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Like, for a school project?”
“Yeah, for school.” Not a complete lie. Well, okay, it was a complete lie, but I had no choice.
“Sounds fun.” He grinned. “You and Manuel, huh?”
Why did everyone think I was getting together with a boy? “It’s not like that.”
“No need to share.” He rubbed my shoulder hard enough I rocked in my seat. “It’s your free time.”
“We’re looking into something about the yacht.” I could say that much.
“What in particular?”
“Just basic stuff. Um…details about the insurance.”
Sean’s face smoothed. “Oh, is he going to the lawyer’s with you?”
“Yeah. The lawyer’s office. My, uh, aunt can’t make it today.” My lies were piling onto each other. If I wasn’t careful, I wouldn’t be able to keep them straight.
“I would’ve gone with you, you know. I imagine it’s tough going through that shit without a friend to hold your hand.”
I could barely hold back my cringe. But I might as well keep on digging myself deeper. “Sure is.”
Manuel stepped off the path into the student lot and looked around. I beeped my horn and got out, adding a wave for good measure. “I’ve gotta go,” I said to Sean.
“Sure thing. Talk to you later.” Whistling, he strode across the lot, aiming for the busses, calling over his shoulder, “Have fun!”
I smiled because Alex was right. Sean was cute. Just not boyfriend-material cute.
“Hey, there you are,” Manuel said when he approached, and we climbed inside my car. He tossed his backpack on the floor and tilted the vents so the AC blew on his face. “This feels awesome.”
“Will you have to come back here for your car after?” I asked, buckling up. I shifted into reverse and started easing out of the spot.
“My father took my car after the punching incident.” He deepened his voice. “Got to set an example, son. You know your fists are never the right way to solve a problem. But he said I could have it back next week.”
“That’s harsh.” I drove from the school lot and turned onto the main road. “Not just what he said but, really, community service plus losing your car?”
“Dad’s…dad. He’s all about appearances. Since he married my stepmom—she’s wealthy—he’s been trying to meet her standards. He seems to think my sister and I need to meet them, too.”
That would be tough.
“Do you like your stepmother?”
He shrugged. “She’s okay.” A smile rose on his face. “I do like the new car she bought me.”
I laughed. A new car would go a long way toward winning anyone’s affection. “Are you from around here? I haven’t seen you before the other day.”
“I went to a school in Brighton before my stepmom and Dad bought a new house here in town. I transferred to Finley Cove.”
Clicking on my blinker, I turned right. “Where’s your birth mom?”
“Died when my little
sister was born early.”
“I’m sorry.” Pulling up to a stop sign, I shot him a look filled with sympathy.
“I was seven.” He stared forward, and a tic pulsed in his temple. “She was special.”
“Mine was, too. I miss her.” My voice broke. “A lot.”
“I understand.” Reaching across the console, he took my hand.
He didn’t let go until we pulled into the police station.
After shutting off the engine, I studied the brick building. Each window had a little red arch over the top for decoration, and there was a matching red awning over the entrance. A female officer with a gun strapped to her belt strode up to the door and went inside.
“We just walk in there and ask to speak to whoever’s in charge of my parents’ case, and then grill them for details?” I asked.
“Sounds about right.”
“You’re awfully confident about this.” About everything, actually. It looked good on him. Even better than his khakis and white shirt.
“I’m also magic.”
That brought out my laugh. “They’re going to throw us out of the police station.”
“Or arrest us.”
My laugh choked off. While I knew he was only teasing, the idea wasn’t beyond belief. Shuddering, I popped open my door. “I’m not sure I’m ready to start a life of crime yet.” Well, outside that bit of snooping in Mr. Somerfield’s office.
“I can put in a good word for you if they arrest you. Maybe get you community service.”
“Only if it’s at the library.”
“Where else?”
My smile slipped when I stared toward the station. What good could come from this? We’d probably walk up to the desk, be IDed as two troublesome teenagers—which we were—and then be escorted off the premises.
As I walked around to the front of the car, Manuel cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders. “Just watch me in action.”
This should be interesting.
We crossed the lot and approached the door. “We’re not going commando on them, are we? Guns blazing, SWAT team at our backs?” I paused for a moment, realizing I was actually joking. Laughing. For one of the first times since the accident. It felt sad, but okay.
“Commando?” He snorted. “I refuse to say if I’m wearing boxers or not until at least our second date.”