by Marlie May
The pause went on long enough, I began to think she’d entered the Pope’s number into my phone instead of her own.
I appreciate the offer, she texted. But I’m not up for it. Is that okay?
Of course. Not really. I was disappointed because I wanted to show her that getting out could be fun. Sure, kids would stare, but we could’ve fielded the stares together.
Lunch on Monday? she texted.
Definitely.
Sitting at my desk, I started in on my homework but paused, staring forward, not seeing a thing.
Why did I keep seeking out Alex like I always had with Brianna? Was I hoping Alex could fill that gap in my life? It would be wrong of me to try to replace my best friend with someone else and it would be hurtful to Alex.
“You’re not doing that,” I whispered. “There’s nothing wrong with making a new friend.”
Guilt knotted in my belly. No matter who I hung out with, I’d never forget Brianna and all the fun times we’d had together.
I made myself dedicate my afternoon to homework but left enough time to get ready for the party.
Since my true purpose for going to Brandon’s was to investigate a crime, I was tempted to dress all in black like they did on TV. But I also, for reasons I refused to name, wanted to look good for my ‘boyfriend’. Even though this wasn’t a real date.
I paired jeans with practical black boots and threw on a silky, layered red blouse with long sleeves. My make-up included a smoky eyeliner and red lip gloss, and I added hoop earrings. I skipped the straightening iron and let my natural waves come out to play, leaving it down to sway on my back.
Heading downstairs, I found my aunt in the kitchen. “You know how you keep telling me to do those things I used to do before the accident?”
“Uh-huh.” She leaned against the island, scrolling through her phone.
“I’m going to a party tonight.” Right now, in fact.
She smiled. “You look great.”
I spun in place and glanced down. “Think so?”
“Know so.”
I nibbled on my lower lip, then plunged into my real reason for seeking her out. “About that ten-o-clock curfew. Can we extend it for just tonight?” Actually, for every weekend night, but I’d start simple.
Her frown made me worry she’d be as firm with this as with all her other conditions. Jeez, she was worse about rules than my parents had been. “Extend it to what?”
“Two?” Clasping my hands together, I got ready to grovel.
“I don’t know.” She dropped her phone and fidgeted with the edge of the countertop. “That feels awfully late for a teenager.”
Come on. This wasn’t a ten-year-old’s birthday party, complete with balloons and cake. “Pretty please?”
Her sigh whooshed out, but my heart picked up because I could tell she was relenting. “Midnight.”
I barely resisted the urge to get on my knees. “Compromise with one?”
“Only if you promise there will be no drinking and driving.”
“I’m the DD.”
She gave a pert nod. “I respect that you’ve thought this through. So, okay. One.”
“Cool.” After a quick hug, I grabbed my keys off the hook next to the back door.
Aunt Kristy lifted her phone but frowned and dropped it back on the island. She looked worse than a parent leaving her kid at daycare for the first time. “Watch out for roofies.”
“No drinking, remember?”
“Someone could slip it into your soda.”
“I promise to only drink from cans I open myself.”
My aunt nodded. “Beware of those funny cigarettes, too.”
Funny cigarettes? What era did she think this was? The 90s? “I promise.”
“And no sneaking off with boys unless you take these.” As if by magic, she produced a hand full of condoms. Did she keep them in the silverware drawer? Do not ask.
“I don’t even have a boyfriend.”
“You never know. It’s easy to get carried away.”
I cringed, hoping she wasn’t going to start detailing her past sexual experiences. Yeah, she was only fifteen years older than me, but sometimes, it felt like thirty.
She glanced toward the French door leading out to the deck. “The moon will be out, and cute boys will be all over you. You might want to have some fun. Take them.”
I cringed but stuffed them into my pocket. No way was I going off with some guy to use condoms. “Bye!” Spinning on my heel, I raced for the front door before she—
“Don’t forget—”
I slammed the door behind me. Phew. Who knew what she was going to tell me to watch out for next? I refused to speculate.
Jumping into Dad’s car, I started her up and blasted the tunes and AC. In no time, a nice chill had settled inside, three songs had played, and I’d crossed town and pulled up to the curb in front of Sean’s place.
I sent him a text. Here!
He came out the front door of the apartment building he’d lived in for a few months. His mom followed and waved to me.
In the four years I’d known Sean, he’d moved three times. His mom worked two jobs to support him and his younger brothers after Sean’s dad took off. Their apartment was tiny, just two bedrooms, and he avoided being there whenever possible. He was one of Ms. Peterson’s latchkey children, remaining in the library to find quiet study time until closing. Although, I hadn’t seen him there much since I returned to school. Maybe he’d found a new place to study.
Sean climbed into the passenger seat, and we headed for Brandon’s. Since he lived only a few blocks from the Somerfield place, Manuel said he’d meet us there.
“I am so in need of this tonight,” Sean said, rubbing his face.
I studied his sad profile, before returning my attention to the road. “Bad day?”
“Today would’ve been Brianna and my…” His voice trailed off, and he took a deep breath. I could taste his mourning in the air. “Our third anniversary of when we became official.”
“You sure you’re up for this, then? We could do something else.” Get coffee, maybe go to the park. Talk about Brianna if that would help. While I’d be disappointed I couldn’t follow through with my plan to investigate Mr. Somerfield tonight, I would find a way to do it another time. I could text Manuel and tell him—
“I’m okay. I want to go.” He stared down at his lap, where he’d clamped his hands so tight, they’d blanched. “I need to go.”
I understood that. Sometimes, the only way you could move forward was to surround yourself with people. “Okay.”
Silence followed us all the way to Brandon’s.
I parked on the side of his long drive. The Somerfield house sat the perfect distance from the water so as to avoid higher-than-expected tides but close enough to enjoy the view. Brandon told me his mom had inherited it from her grandparents.
When I got out of my car, Manuel rose from where he’d been sitting on the front steps and strolled down the drive to join us. His deep-blue denims and soft, dark green tee highlighted his lean frame. In khaki and white, he cleaned up well, but this boy in denim was hot. One might even call him Manly.
Not me, but someone.
“Manuel?” Sean said, his voice light. “How you doin’?”
“Hey, Sean. Janie.” His warm gaze traveled down my frame, and I was glad I’d taken time to look nice.
“Great to see you.” Sean had kicked off his sadness and could barely keep from smiling when he glanced at me. There’d be no avoiding the grilling I’d get from him later about Manuel. After seeing Manuel in my car at school and him now meeting us at the party, Sean must think we were here as a couple. Jeez, we were just friends.
We walked up to the front door and entered the house like I’d done every other time I’d come by to see Brandon. Too many times considering how it ended, actually.
Brandon’s mom poked her head out of the front room. “Janie!” She came over, and hugged me, kissing my ch
eek. “It’s been far too long, punkin’. Brandon’s going to be thrilled to see that you’re here.”
I grimaced.
“How have you been?” she said, rubbing my arms. “Holding up all right?”
Outside of the fact that I suspected her husband had murdered my family, sure. “I’m okay, thanks.”
“You need anything, you just shout, you hear?”
I nodded and stepped backward.
Her smile fell when she took in Sean. Mrs. Somerfield was not only wealthy, she was also a snob. But while Sean had never met her standards, I admired that he’d never tried. A friend of Brandon’s, he’d been to the house almost as much as I had. It was Mrs. Somerfield’s loss that she hadn’t warmed up to him yet.
Her gaze moved on to Manuel, who I introduced.
“You related to Chief Sancini?”
He nodded.
“Oh, the mayor’s son,” she said. Talk about gush. Her face colored and she looked ready to curtsey.
“Actually, I’m her stepson,” Manuel said. Hands in his front pockets, he rocked on his boots.
“You came at the perfect time,” she said.
“I did?”
“I can give you my campaign donation right now.” She called over her shoulder, “Franklin? Becca Sancini’s son is here.”
“Stepson,” Manuel whispered.
“Can you wait a moment before joining the party?” She dimpled at Manuel. “We can get this over with in no time.”
Mr. Somerfield strolled into the foyer. “Janie. Nice to see you again. You should’ve stayed around the other day so we could talk.” His dark gaze penetrated me, making me long to melt into the floor.
My breath came tight, and a light sweat broke out on my brow. Did he know I’d searched his office? I’d tried to hide any evidence I’d been there, but a savvy person would know if things had been moved. What would I do if he accused me of the act? Running might be out of the question.
“Darling?” Mrs. Somerfield said, drawing his attention away from me, thankfully. “Why don’t you go up to your office and write Manuel a nice check to give his mother.”
“Stepmother,” Manuel said.
“Good idea.” Nodding to us, Mr. Somerfield strode up the main staircase, took a right on the large landing above, and headed down a hall. A door opened, then shut behind him.
Mrs. Somerfield’s smile swept across us. “This worked out very well, now didn’t it?”
“Sure did,” said Manuel. The expression he shot me held a mix of resignation and embarrassment. Now that his dad had married the mayor, I imagined he was struggling to get used to his new, almost-celebrity status.
“I won’t keep you, Janie,” Mrs. Somerfield said. “Manuel can wait for Franklin, and Sean can join the other children. But why don’t you go find Brandon? Then you two can chat. You’re all he’s talked about these past few days. I’m sure he’d like to discuss getting ba—”
“Manuel’s my boyfriend,” I said, wrapping my arm around his waist. No time like the present to begin this ruse.
Without missing a beat, Manuel dropped his arm across my shoulders. “I am.”
Sean blinked, though his eyes gleamed with happiness for me. “When did this lovely event occur?”
“We’ve been together…um…” Contrary to my recent behavior, lying never came easy to me. Whenever possible, evasion was my go-to.
Manuel pulled me into his side. “We’ve been together for a while.”
And that was nicely vague. I smiled up at him, and his eyes twinkled. From the delighted look on his face, no one would guess he was faking it.
“We’ve kept it secret,” he said, his grin growing bigger. “Right, sweetie?”
Sweetie?
“Yes,” I said, because, while the nickname was too sugary for my taste, it made a great cover. “It’s been a secret. For a long time.”
We needed to escape before I slipped up and said something incriminating.
Mrs. Somerfield’s lips flattened. “Does Brandon know about this?”
With some difficulty, I pulled my gaze away from Manuel’s. “Why would he need to know?”
“Well, punkin’. You two—”
“He broke up with me.”
“Well.” Sean rubbed his hands together. He was enjoying this interaction. But it must also have been obvious I was ready to bolt. Like a college guy at a frat party, he peered around. “Where’s the beer?”
Mrs. Somerfield sniffed. “I don’t serve minors.” Or Sean if she had any say in it. Fortunately, she didn’t. Brandon liked Sean and if there was beer, Brandon would offer it. Because Brandon was more than willing to serve beer to minors. Not that his parents would know; Brandon could be sneaky, like his dad.
Mr. Somerfield came down the stairs and gave Manuel the check. “Tell her I plan to donate more next month. Keeping her in the office is important to us.”
“Will do.” Manuel folded it and tucked it into his pocket.
“Why don’t we go to the beach and find everyone else?” I asked. If we hung around, Mr. Somerfield might start asking more questions. Taking Manuel’s hand, I tugged him down the hall, toward the back of the house. Sean trooped along behind us.
“Come visit me later, Janie,” Mrs. Somerfield called out. “We can talk.”
Not if the conversation included Brandon.
We exited the kitchen onto a huge deck overlooking the sea. The sun had set and dusk was upon us. A half-moon hung in the sky, giving just enough light to see as we crossed the deck and took the stairs to the bottom. We walked past the pool where a bunch of kids played water volleyball under tall lights. A DJ danced and shuffled tunes on the other side.
A narrow path lined with tiki torches led to the shore, and our feet slid in the beach made up of tiny pebbles as we strode closer to the water. Seagrass waved on each side of the path exiting at a broad stretch of beach where the Somerfield family had set up for the event.
“Food.” Sean headed for the crowded buffet table, arms extended. Kids holding small plates and drinks mingled nearby.
Ahead, a big bonfire blazed but I didn’t dare approach. Fire…
Shivering, even though it had to be eighty out still, I walked to my right and stalled beside a cluster of lounge chairs. All unoccupied except for one holding a towel.
Manuel followed.
I sat, kicked off my shoes, and turned to stretch out my legs, staring at the water. Without any wind, the sea gleamed as calm as glass.
“Want something to drink?” he asked, nudging his head toward a series of coolers sitting near the buffet tables.
“Sure. Pepsi?”
“I’ll get you one.” He strolled in that direction, pausing to back-slap a couple of guys along the way.
I flicked my bare feet back and forth, partly along with the music drifting down to the beach, but mostly in time with the flames that swallowed all of my attention.
My mind spun back to…
I’d just popped the cork on the champagne when the yacht shuddered. Regaining my balance, I peered around but saw nothing but endless stars scattered above an ebony sea.
The boat jolted again. Had we hit something?
Crackles coming from the main cabin were followed by a boom that shook the vessel again. The ship listed to one side, and I fell onto the hard decking. My hands scrambled to find something to hang on to as my legs spasmed underneath me.
What was happening? Mom. Dad. Brianna!
Below deck, screams erupted—
15
Manuel set my Pepsi in the drink holder, jarring me back to the present. I shuddered and pulled my knees close to my chest, and stared up at the stars.
“You okay?” He sat in the chair beside mine. “Janie?”
I shared what I’d seen.
“That sounds like a series of explosions.”
“Do you think it was the fireworks? Or oil in the galley?” Both, maybe.
“I imagine that’s what the police would say.” He stared
toward the water. “I wish we could see the yacht.”
From what I’d read online, in instances like this, bodies were usually recovered. But rarely burned-out ship carcasses. “We could talk to the Coast Guard. Their divers found the bodies.” My voice cracked on the last word.
“This week?”
“Let’s do it.” Having a plan made me feel stronger. A sip of soda washed down the bitter taste lingering in my throat, making it easier to put this behind me for now. I needed full brain power for tonight.
“What’s the plan?” he asked.
I explained, and he whistled. “Bold.”
“Necessary.”
Turning to face me, he dropped his feet onto the beach and nudged his head toward the house. “When do you want to put this thing into effect? Now or later?”
“You’re still in even though this date involves breaking and entering?”
“I told you I’m your Sherlock.”
And I was his Watson. Whatever that might mean. “How about after he goes to bed?”
“Do you think he will while Brandon’s having a party?”
“I don’t know.” Lifting my soda, I took another swallow. The bubbles burned my chest, and I coughed, but my breathing came easier. “We could hang out here for a while then go inside and scope it out. If he wants to work in his office tonight, I can’t imagine he’ll work late. It’s Saturday night.”
“True.” He glanced at his phone. “It’s after eight. How about we try about nine?”
“Sounds good. Once we’re sure the coast is clear, I'll sneak upstairs and into the office to look around.”
“And what will my role be in all this?”
“You’re my guard. You can stand in the hall and watch the stairs. If he comes up, you’ll let me know and we can hide in one of the other rooms. From what I remember, most in that hallway are empty since Brandon's sisters are away at college.”
“I wish we had a guaranteed block of time to do this.”
“We can't come back when they're not home,” I said. “They've got an great security system.”
“I saw the cameras.”
“No getting inside when it's armed.”
“Which means tonight is our best opportunity.”