Prologue to Murder

by Lauren Elliott

  “You’re right, sorry. I’m just trying to understand what’s going on. I didn’t mean to come off as accusing you of anything.” Addie patted her hand and smiled, hoping to break through the ice field that had just formed between them.

  Serena nodded. “I guess you have a right to ask, since you were the target. Sorry, he just grilled me for hours and—”

  “I get it.” Addie patted her hand. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to come on so strong. Still friends?”

  “Of course, why wouldn’t we be? Well, unless you decide you’re going to move in on the good doctor.” She tossed her head back and laughed.

  “No, I told you, my hands are off. But seriously, getting back to the box. You said you took it to the store. Did you use it as a gift box for anyone?”

  “Yeah, a guy came in a few days later and wanted a special blend of tea for his girlfriend, and he loved the idea of the box. I’ve actually ordered others since then, and they’re a hit.”

  “A guy? Do you remember what he looked like?”

  Serena shook her head. “No, Marc asked me that, too, but it was a while ago, and I’ve had so many customers since then.”

  Addie sat back and tapped the tabletop with her knife handle.

  “But I do remember now that he wanted a very particular blend.” Serena leaned forward on her elbows. “Something to help his friend sleep. He said he had some from before that he purchased from a different shop, because she was having problems sleeping. She’d tried it, and it worked like magic, but he’d run out and wanted something similar so he could surprise her. He said it would be the best gift he could give her. I remember that because I found it so romantic that he wanted something that was original to make her happy, not your usual candy and flowers. Now that’s true love.” She took of a sip of her water.

  Addie sat upright. “What kind of special blend? The same kind of special blend that other woman wanted a while back, the knockout tea?”

  “No, that was completely different. That woman had something else on her mind. This guy only wanted to get a tea blend that would relax her, so she could drift off quietly.” Serena shivered. “God. Now that I say it like that, it does sound sort of similar, doesn’t it?”

  “Do you remember anything else about him—height, weight, hair color, anything?”

  “Nope, nothing. Everything else is just a blur.”

  “I need to see that coroner’s report.”

  “What was that?” Serena looked up from her menu.

  “Nothing.” Addie waved her off. “Just thinking out loud.”

  “I hope Simon isn’t much longer. I’m starving.” Serena glanced toward the door. “There he is.” She waved. “Yoo-hoo. Over here.”

  Addie shook her head. From wannabe femme fatale to Granny Smith in the blink of an eye—now that was Serena. She noted her friend had already pulled the empty chair beside her back in anticipation of him sitting there, so she discreetly reached under the table, retrieving her handbag and placing it on the vacant seat beside hers, leaving him no choice. He accepted the ploy and made himself comfortable. Well, as comfortable as he could with Serena shifting her chair as close to his as possible.

  “Sorry I’m late, ladies. I got detained at the hospital.”

  “No problem.” Serena’s eye flutter returned as she gazed at him, and Addie cringed.

  “I don’t think I caught your name during our introductions.” He turned toward Addie, the deep pools of his sea-blue eyes catching her off guard. She sputtered out her water. Serena looked at her, horror across her face. Addie giggled and wiped her chin with a napkin. Simon’s eyes flashed from one to the other. “Did I miss the joke?”

  Addie shook her head. “No, no joke. Just me being clumsy.”

  “Okay?” He looked back at Serena, then at her. “Well, are you going to tell me, or does it remain a mystery?”

  “She already said there was no joke.”

  “I meant her name.”

  “Oh, right.” Serena flipped her hair.

  “Sorry, Simon, you know when the girls get together they tend to get silly sometimes.” Addie nudged Serena’s foot under the table. “I’m Addison Greyborne, but call me Addie, please.”

  He clasped her extended hand. “I must say, you’re not anything like the person I thought you’d be.” His face lit up with a smile that exposed a dimple in his left cheek.

  He must have held her hand too long for Serena’s liking, because she returned Addie’s foot nudge with an outright kick. Addie pulled her hand away, breaking his embrace of hers, and glanced at Serena’s dagger-filled eyes.

  She straightened in her chair and took a sip of water. “And what exactly were you expecting me to be like?”

  “You know, the stereotypical shy, withdrawn bookworm type.” His lips flashed an amused grin. “I must say, I’m left speechless by the opportunity to be having dinner with the town’s most infamous character.” His eyes twinkled, capturing hers as he leaned forward, resting on his elbows.

  Serena sat back and crossed her arms. Addie didn’t have to look at her to feel the lightning bolts shooting at her across the table, and she shrank back into her chair. “So, Dr. Emerson, what brings you to Greyborne Harbor?”

  “I’d like to say the scenery,” he said, winking at her and picking up his water glass, “but I have to admit it was a job offer.”

  “Are you at the hospital?” Addie took a gulp of her own water, her eyes nudging Serena.

  Serena leaned forward. “What department are you in?” she asked, turning her entire body toward his.

  He hesitated as though he had just realized she was there. “I’m a half-time trauma surgeon in the emergency department, like I was in New York, and now also a part-time forensic pathologist.”

  “You’re also a medical examiner—a coroner?” Addie asked.

  He laughed. “Yes, I am and board certified, too. It’s perfect for me as it’s married my two loves in medicine. Why?”

  “Oh, no particular reason, I’ve just had some experience with coroners in the past. That’s all.”

  “Interesting . . . business or pleasure?” He leaned toward her. His eyes never wavered from hers.

  There was that kick again. She rubbed her shin. “Actually, dealing with a coroner isn’t pleasurable at all.” She shot Serena a piercing glance.

  “Then you just haven’t met the right one.” He smiled over his water glass.

  Addie let out a quiet breath and counted to ten. “I’d love to talk shop with you sometime, but I don’t think this is the time. We’re here for a nice friendly dinner.” She smacked Serena’s foot with hers. “So, we should order.” She smiled as sweetly as her throbbing shin would allow.

  “Well, I for one am fascinated.” Serena turned her entire body toward him, her eyelashes flapping at a spastic speed. Addie couldn’t stop her eye roll and glanced down at her menu.

  When she’d decided on what to order, she looked up to see Simon’s hand pressing against the edge of Serena’s chair back. His arm was extended to its full length, pushing him away from her. She nearly snorted trying to stifle a laugh. Serena obviously had not taken her earlier advice to heart. She felt sorry for her, but if it was Lacey’s footsteps she chose to walk in, so be it.

  Addie fidgeted with her napkin, dying to pick Simon’s brain about autopsies, but bit her tongue to let Serena continue to hold the spotlight with him. She could speak to him tomorrow, maybe drop by the hospital—a safer environment, where he wouldn’t be so keen to overtly display his egotistical charms on her. Then something he said caught her attention, and her self-imposed restraint flew out the window they were sitting beside.

  “You took over from Sam Bolton?”

  “Yes, sort of. He was with the district and worked out of the Salem office, but there have been so many murders in Greyborne Harbor recently that the DA decided to station a part-time coroner here as well. Why? Did you know him?” His eyes held hers with what appeared to be relief at her reentering the conver
sation.

  “Not really, only by reputation. Did you perform the autopsy on June Winslow, by chance?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Actually, that’s why I attended her service and went to her house after to pay my respects.” His eyes dropped. He scoured his forehead and blew out a deep breath. “After I complete what I do to a body, I need to remind myself they were a living, breathing person before my knife and table.”

  “That’s so beautiful,” Serena cooed and folded her hands over her heart.

  “Realistically, they weren’t living or breathing when they made their way to your autopsy table, or they wouldn’t have been there in the first place.”

  Serena flung another dagger in her direction. “Never mind her, she’s just, just . . .”

  “No, she’s right, Serena. I’m not the reason they aren’t living and breathing anymore, but”—he looked at Addie, his eyes steady—“I do need to remind myself they were more than just body parts and tissue samples.”

  Addie nodded. “You’re right. Sorry.”

  “No need to be sorry. It’s just one of the demons I deal with personally in that job, since I work the rest of the time as a trauma surgeon and ER doc trying to keep people off that table.” He reached across the dining table, clasped her hand in his, and gently squeezed it. “So don’t worry, you haven’t offended me.” The gesture didn’t pass unnoticed by Serena.

  Addie released her hand from his and made a “stop” motion. “Wait. There is something I’m confused about.”

  “You can ask me anything. I’m an open book.” He smiled, leaning across the table toward her, his eyes drawing her deep into them.

  That darn heat crept up from under her collar again, and she shifted in her seat, breaking his hold over her. “Well, you said you were a trauma surgeon in New York?”

  “Correct.”

  “And yet you accepted a position at our small hospital that barely even qualifies as one, at least by New York standards. I can’t imagine that your skills will be fully utilized here.”

  “Ah.” He sat back and crossed his arms. “So you think I came for darker reasons than to practice medicine?”

  “Addie, enough,” Serena hissed. “You can’t look at every person you meet as a potential suspect and start interrogating them.”

  Simon raised his finger. “Hold on, Serena. She has a point.” His eyes took on a hooded look as he whispered, “Remember, I told you that I had two loves.”

  She wriggled under the spell his eyes and voice cast over her, broke free, and matched his unwavering gaze. “It’s just that it would seem so boring after what you’re used to. I mean, how many actual traumas would you see here in a day, a week, or a month? After all, even on the worst days, you might only dress a few cuts and attend to a victim of a bicycle-versus-tree mishap.”

  “Or a head trauma and deadly fall?” He cocked his brow. “As I said, it’s an opportunity for me to work as an ER doc and a pathologist slash medical examiner, too, which is something I didn’t have the luxury of in the city. I have a good friend at the DA’s office, and when Sam Bolton signed his retirement forms, my friend called me and offered me the position. He knew this was exactly the opportunity I had been looking for.”

  Serena sulked all the way through to dessert and was the first to call an end to the evening. Addie knew she blamed her for ruining her big chance to impress the doctor, and the ride home was strained, to say the least. A gnawing lump grew in the back of Addie’s throat, and she started to apologize more than once, but bit her tongue. After all, it wasn’t her fault Simon wasn’t into Serena and had shown it. When she pulled up in front of Serena’s building, Serena hopped out without a word and dashed up the sidewalk, but then stopped at the front door and turned back. She came around to Addie’s window, tears in her eyes.

  “This is so stupid of me. I feel like such a child.” She reached in and hugged Addie around the neck. “Friends still?”

  “Of course.” Addie patted her back. “Forever and always.”

  “Good.” She wiped tears from her cheeks. “Good night, and thanks.” She waved as Addie pulled away.

  Addie headed home, heart lighter than before, until it all but stopped as she pulled into her driveway. Parked in front of her house was a silver Tesla Roadster. She hit the brakes, grabbed her cell and dialed 911, leaving it open and ready to send if need be, and then slipped it into her pocket. Slowly, she rolled her Mini up beside the car, her eyes glued to its driver’s window. The door was flung open, a pair of long-trousered legs emerged, and then there stood Simon, an awkward grin on his face.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “You’re probably wondering why I’m here?”

  Addie stared at him over the roof of her car, opening but then snapping her mouth shut. Her eyes narrowed.

  “It’s just that I wanted to apologize for my behavior at dinner.”

  “Really?” When had she become snarky?

  “Yes, and before you say, Which part? let me add, for all of it. Not only for my schoolboyish behavior toward you, but for the way I rudely dismissed Serena. I was a complete jerk.”

  “So why did you do it? And, better question—how did you know where I live?”

  “The second one’s easier to answer.”

  “Then please do tell.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, funny thing about that. My sister works for the Harbor Police and—”

  “And she gave you my address?” Addie’s eyes flashed.

  “No, no, she would never . . . She just mentioned that if I looked on a tourist map and found one of the largest, most historical homes listed in the area, I’d find what I needed.”

  “Great, I’m on a tourist map. Seems fitting. Home of the local crazy book lady?”

  His eyes twinkled with suppressed laughter. “I guess that’s what really made me want to take the job and move to Greyborne Harbor in the first place.”

  “Because of me?”

  “No. Because of my sister.”

  “Oh. So what about the first part of that question? Why?”

  “That part’s more complicated.”

  “Try me.” She stood back, crossing her arms.

  “Look, it’s freezing out here. Can we go in and . . . just talk?”

  She slid her hand to her jacket pocket and patted her cell phone. “Okay, but—”

  “I promise, just talk.” He gestured with a scout salute. “I got the feeling you wanted to talk to me at dinner anyway, so here’s your chance.”

  She stopped at the door and turned back to him. “I do, but not in the way I think you took it at dinner.”

  “Well, I’m here now, so you can tell me what’s on your mind. You can trust me, I’m a doctor.” His eyes held a glint of amusement.

  Addie rolled her eyes. He chuckled and followed her into the foyer. She tapped her cell phone once more for reassurance and led the way into the living room. “Have a seat.” She pointed to a chair at far end of the sofa as she sat on the end closest to the door.

  He looked at where she sat, and where she indicated for him to sit, shrugged, and sat down in the chair. “Really, I know my showing up out of the blue might contradict this, but I’m not a fiend.”

  “So, now the answer to the part of my original question that required us to come inside?” She hoped her eyes could still maintain the cool aloofness she was attempting to portray as she inadvertently swam right into his deep pools of sea-blue.

  “Ah, yes,” he said his lips arching into a sly smile but his eyes holding steadfast on hers. “Well, it’s rather anticlimactic, if I must say.”

  Her mind raced for a witty comeback but stopped, knowing that would only encourage him further. “Try. And remember, my question was ‘Why did you behave like such an ass and create friction between myself and my best friend?’”

  “Yes, yes, I was. Without sounding conceited, any more than I already do, it has been a problem I’ve had for years.” Addie snorted, and his brow furrowed.
“I’m just not good at this—explaining or sharing my feelings. Give me a chance, because I feel I owe it to you.”

  “That’s fair.”

  “Okay, then.” He took a deep breath. “Being a single doctor, I have access to a great number of women.” Addie couldn’t contain her eye roll. “Staff I work with, patients, their friends and families, people I meet outside of work. And there are always the ones who tune in only to the fact that I’m a doctor and I’m single, and they strike like rattlesnakes.”

  Addie yawned and leaned forward, feigning interest.

  “To be honest,” he said, mirroring her posture, “it’s brought me a lot of heartache over the years. To discover that they don’t care about me as a person or anything other than to try and snag a future husband, a doctor. I’m not sure why.” He shrugged. “We work crazy hours, and most of the married doctors I know have pretty rocky relationships, but it seems to be a status thing with some women, and a few men I’ve met, too.” He sat back. “So that’s it. Serena came on like one of them. You didn’t, actually quite the opposite, so I focused on you. Plus, I’ve heard a lot about you and was—am—intrigued.”

  Addie leaned back on the sofa. Her eyes never wavered from his. “You certainly have an overinflated ego, don’t you? Because what I’m hearing from you is that women fall at your feet, women are shallow, and that’s what gave you permission to be so rude to Serena? Have I got that right?”

  He stood up. “Look, Addie, my heart’s been torn out of me more times than I can say by women I thought really cared about me and wanted to build a future together, only to discover it was the social status they were after and I was their route to their envisioned lifestyle.”

  “Well, driving around in a high-end Tesla Roadster probably doesn’t help either.” She bit her lip. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be so dismissive, but I can’t buy that as a reason for rudeness. You never took the time to get to know her, and you immediately made a judgment based on nothing, except that she appeared to like you. But don’t worry, I think that ship sailed tonight. I doubt she’ll join your groupie gang again in the future.”