“It’s complicated,” he said. She hated when he used that phrase. It made her skin crawl. “We’re…well, we’re not really together right now. She went back home.”
Despite her solemn pledge to forget about him, Missy found her breath getting short. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Her mother is in bad shape,” Tyler explained. “They might have to move her into a nursing home, and her brother is kind of a deadbeat so she has no one to help her…it’s a long story, forget about it.”
Missy didn’t want to get her hopes up. “Tyler, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to talk while you and your wife are still working things out.”
“Melissa…”
She nodded, knowing she was doing the right thing. “There’s still too much between us, at least from my side of things. I don’t want to interfere with whatever’s going on between you and Jill. I’m not that kind of woman.”
It felt good to say that. It also hurt.
“Melissa…”
She waited for him to say more, but he didn’t.
“Take care of yourself, Tyler.”
“Melissa, wait—I have information for you.”
“What?”
“Ron’s address. Are you ready?”
She’d forgotten she’d asked for it. She was about to tell him, no thanks, but realized she might need to go see Ron if she wanted to get more information on Connie. He read off the address and she wrote it down.
“Thanks, Tyler.”
“Hold on, there’s more. I got a call from Paul Johnson.”
Missy ughed. “So you heard about the restraining order too?”
“Don’t worry about it. Abella’s just trying to throw her weight around. But I was talking to him and he told me the coroner figured out the tape worm had entered Karen’s system about a month ago.”
Right around the time Karen had broken up with Connie.
“I don’t know if that helps you,” Tyler said. “But I thought I’d pass it along.”
She was really touched he’d shared that information because she knew how much he didn’t think she should be investigating this death.
“Thanks, Tyler.”
“Are you going to talk to this guy, Ron Moore?”
Missy didn’t feel like filling him in on all the details. “Maybe.”
“If you do, let me know before you go over there, okay?”
“Why?”
“He’s a mixed martial artist.”
Missy blew a sigh of relief. She’d been right to be nervous around the guy. “Okay, I promise to give you a call if I’m going over there.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re lying to me?”
“Alright, Tyler, I have to get going.”
“Okay. Bye, Mel—”
But she’d already hung up.
***
Missy found a decent outfit. It looked good but was a little too tight, the typical tradeoff. She worked her way into her capris and checked herself in the full-body mirror on the back of her bedroom door. Spanx would have helped (they always did!) but she wasn’t in the mood for them, plus it was sweaty-hot outside and the tight-fitting material didn’t actually breathe.
Hank’s was a local bar, family owned and operated since it’d opened fifty some years ago. They were known in the county, if not the state, for their wings. They ran specials on the wings on Thursday nights, so it was always packed.
Tonight was no different. Missy had to create a parking space in the far corner of the lot under an old sycamore tree. The engine of the truck sputtered to a stop and she got out. It was eight-thirty but still humid, and she was glad she’d gone with a loose-fitting t-shirt and capris.
The deck attached to the side of the building was packed. One of the cooks was outside working two different grills as smoke poured out. Missy knew most of the people and said hello as she went in.
The interior was at least fifteen degrees warmer than outside. People were crammed in. Tables that were supposed to seat four had five or six people.
“Missy!”
She picked Noreen out from the crowd at the far end of the bar. Her friend was in the middle of a group of guys. Missy worked her way over, saying hi to the people she knew. It took her thirty seconds just to cross the overcrowded bar.
Noreen peeled away from the group and kissed her on the cheek. “Hey, girl!”
Missy smiled at the men. She didn’t recognize any of them, but she was pretty sure one of them actually checked her out. Go her.
“This is Carter.” Noreen steered her toward a tall drink of water with blue eyes and a crew cut, holding her spot at the bar. “Carter, this is the coolest chick—other than me—in the whole world, Missy. She also happens to be my best friend.”
“Hey, Missy.” He offered his hand. His eyes locked onto hers. Carter was almost too good-looking, if there was such a thing. She shook his hand. It was very smooth.
“Carter is an actor,” Noreen said.
“Very cool,” Missy said. “I work with Noreen.”
“She told me,” he said, putting an arm around Noreen’s shoulder. “What are you drinking?”
Missy was normally a wine-girl, but you didn’t order wine at Hank’s. “Lager?”
He smiled. Normally with the bar this crowded, it took a solid two minutes to wave one of the three bartenders down. Carter was no mere mortal. He leaned in as Astrid was hurrying by and practically knocked her over with his nod.
“Lager for the lady,” he said. “Thanks.”
Astrid stopped everything she was doing. It was like Carter had flipped a switch on her somewhere. She immediately got Missy a lager and the ice cold bottle was in her hands inside of a minute.
Remarkable.
“Thank you,” Missy said.
He stuck his own bottle up and they clinked. “I just want you to know, Noreen does not need a wing girl. She’s awesome enough.”
Noreen actually blushed. Missy couldn’t remember the last time a man had made her blush.
“She’s even more awesome than you know, since you don’t know her that well.”
Carter tilted his head to the side and held his bottle out. “Touchee.”
Missy sipped her lager. It tasted good cold. She’d have to drink it quickly though. Hank’s was dripping with sweat.
“Okay,” Noreen said. “This is where I excuse myself so you can ask Missy questions about me, and she can really talk me up.”
Noreen got on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. Carter watched her go the whole way before she disappeared in the hallway that led to the bathroom.
“Told you she was awesome,” Missy said.
“You aren’t kidding.” Carter turned back to her. “So let’s knock her down a few pegs. Tell me an embarrassing story.”
Missy didn’t. Instead, she told him about the time Noreen had backed her up in the girls’ locker room when three girls in the popular clique had cornered her and were making fun of her for being chubby. Carter was a good listener. She could tell by his eyes that he was paying attention. They made small-talk and he continued to press her for embarrassing details from Noreen’s childhood, tween, and teenaged years but Missy refused to give in.
“You are an exceptional Wing Girl,” he said.
“Never The Girl, always a Wing Girl.” Missy feigned heartbreak.
“Oh, come on.” Carter got another beer and asked the bartender to refresh Noreen’s mixed drink before she came back. “You could easily get a guy in here if you wanted.”
“The problem is, I know all these guys,” Missy said.
“So what?” Carter looked around. “Wouldn’t that make it easier? You wouldn’t be going in blind.”
“You’ve got a point.” Just as she said it, Missy looked past Carter and spotted Aaron. He was wearing a plain black t-shirt and cargo shorts and sporting a fresh haircut. Yes, he really was good-looking. He might not have been movie star handsome, but who was? And more importantly, who was she to judge in th
e looks department? Yes, she was cute but she was no knockout.
“Who is he?” Carter asked, without turning to see who she was looking at.
“Oh, just this guy.”
He nudged her. “Come on.”
Missy smiled. “He’s always been interested.”
“But?”
“But…I was interested in somebody else.”
“What happened with somebody else?”
“It’s complicated.” She hated it when Tyler used that phrase with her, but it really was the simplest way to explain things.
“Life’s too short for complicated.” Carter waved a hand like it was that easy to forget about Tyler Brock, her high school sweetheart and first love. “Why don’t you try this other guy?”
“Well…he’s liked me for a long time, I think, and I’d hate to try and have it not work out…it might really hurt him.”
“How old is he?” Carter asked.
“My age.”
“He’s a consenting adult, in other words.”
“Yes.”
“Then he understands the risks.”
“I don’t know…”
“What’s the worst that could happen? It doesn’t work out? Then you’re in the same position you are today.”
“True…” But Missy still wasn’t sure. She’d just never thought of Aaron that way, at least, she hadn’t until the last few days. He was nice, he was good-looking, and he cared for her. There wasn’t a spark, but maybe that was just what happened in books and movies.
“You two look way too serious right now.” Noreen appeared and looped her arm through Carter’s. “What’s up?”
“I’m trying to convince Missy to give this guy a try.”
Noreen looked at Missy sideways. “Which guy?”
“Never mind.” Missy sipped her beer. “Nobody.”
Noreen nudged her shoulder in the same spot Carter had. God, Missy thought, were they already mimicking each other a mere twenty-four hours into their relationship?
“Come on, Miss, you look hot. This guy will drool if you go up and talk to him.”
Missy had never approached a guy in a bar. She was old-fashioned, expecting the man to make the first move. But this wasn’t a random guy. This was Aaron, her friend of many years. It wouldn’t look weird for her to go up and talk to him. And if something should develop…
“Okay, I’m going.”
Noreen clapped and Carter smiled.
“Don’t watch me, though,” Missy said. “This is difficult enough.”
“Okay,” they both said.
Missy put her beer down and almost started walking over. But she realized there was no reason not to bring her beer, so she picked it back up. Then she fixed her hair. Noreen rolled her eyes and circled her hand. Hurry up.
Missy flipped her off and, beer in hand, started making her way over to Aaron. He was talking to one of his fellow EMTs, a guy Missy had seen before but didn’t know. Aaron was half-turned from her, facing his friend, so she had to tap him on the shoulder.
“Missy! What’s up?” He practically launched out of his chair to give her a hug. “Good to see you. How are you doing?”
“Better,” she said. It wasn’t a lie.
He nodded. “I knew our little talk would help.”
She laughed. “Oh yeah, all my life problems are now taken care of.”
He threw his head back and laughed too. “So lemme guess, you’ve already solved the case?”
Missy shook her head no. She didn’t really want to talk about Karen’s death with him. Missy crammed herself in next to him at the bar, briefly glancing back at Noreen. Her friend was staring wide-eyed at her. Noreen actually looked like she was shaking her head no, but Missy couldn’t be sure.
Before Aaron noticed whom she was looking at, Missy turned back to him. “There might not be anything to solve. We’ll see.”
He nodded but she could tell he was confused. His mouth opened to ask a follow-up question, but she decided to cut him off at the pass.
“So, Aaron, you got to hear about me today. But I didn’t get a chance to ask how you’ve been.” She smiled and sipped her beer, hoping she looked as sexy as Noreen drinking a beer. “I feel like we barely see each other and when we do, we barely get to talk.”
Aaron’s mouth hung open. “Uh…yeah…I’m good.”
Why was he acting so strange? Maybe after all this time of being politely rejected, he wasn’t actually prepared for her to say yes. It had to be a shock to the system.
“Work’s good?” she asked.
“Missy…”
Why was he acting so weird? She didn’t know, but she wanted to put him at ease. After all the years of saying thanks, but no thanks to him, Missy felt like she owed him.
Missy put her beer down on the bar and smiled.
“Aaron, I wanted—”
“Hey, Aaron. Who’s this?”
Missy at first didn’t register the presence of the other woman. She was petite and blond and tanned like she spent all her time outside. Missy had never seen her before.
“Lily.” Aaron put his arm around the woman’s tiny shoulders and pulled her close. “This is one of my old friends from high school, Missy.”
Lily flashed a pretty smile and offered her hand. “Heya, Missy. Nice to meet you.”
Confused, Missy shook her hand. She’d had no idea Aaron was seeing somebody. And now that she knew, she was very disappointed. Missy felt like she’d missed out on a great opportunity with Aaron. All those years she’d spent turning him down…
“Lily and I are engaged.” Aaron was so happy and so proud.
Lily stuck her other hand out to show off the ring. “I can hardly believe it myself. We’ve only been dating for two months, but we both felt it was the right time. He asked me last week and I said yes.”
How had Missy not known? In such a small town, news like this usually traveled pretty fast. Then she realized: she had been so caught up in Karen’s death, the news had probably passed her right by, maybe even had gone in one ear and out the other.
She felt so stupid.
“That’s great.” She remembered to smile. “Aaron’s a great guy. You’re very lucky.”
Aaron smiled. “Thanks, Missy. I was going to tell you, but the other night wasn’t really the best time and today well, that wasn’t the best time either.”
Missy kept smiling, even though she was cringing on the inside. It made sense. The crime scene wasn’t the best place for Aaron to share his good news. And then earlier today, at the diner, Missy had been so despondent that Aaron had figured it wasn’t a good time then either.
“Congratulations,” Missy said. “When’s the wedding?”
She listened politely while they shared what few details they had. By the time she excused herself and walked away, however, she’d forgotten everything they had said after that moment. Missy just felt so stupid. After turning Aaron down for years, she’d finally decided to give him a chance after he’d gotten engaged.
Typical.
Missy walked back to Noreen and Carter. He excused himself to use the bathroom. Missy knew he was really just giving them time to talk. But she was in no mood.
“Missy, I’m sorry, I thought you’d heard…” Noreen said.
Missy smiled ruefully. “Just did. Better late than never.”
“I’m sorry, Miss.”
“Don’t be. At least I found out before I’d made a total jackass out of myself. The way things worked out, I only look like ninety-nine percent a jackass.”
“Missy…”
Missy was suddenly in no mood for the bar. She put her beer down and hugged Noreen.
“I can’t. I just can’t tonight.”
“Missy, wait. Just finish your drink at least. In ten minutes you’ll be laughing about this.”
Missy knew Noreen was right. But she also knew she had to get out of there.
“Sorry, Nor. Just not in the mood now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
&nbs
p; Noreen frowned. “Alright.
They hugged and Missy left before Carter got back from the bathroom.
Chapter Eighteen
Missy thought about trying Mrs. Wise again, but couldn’t bring herself to call. The woman had made it very clear that she would call Missy back. And considering how she’d reacted to the mention of Connie, Missy didn’t want to push her.
She sat in her truck for a moment. As much as she wanted to leave the bar, she also didn’t feel like going home. But there wasn’t anywhere else to go. She had other friends but by now it was too late to call them to get together.
She checked the time. It was only a few minutes after nine. She knew if she went home now, her mind would not be able to rest and she’d spend the next two hours staring at the TV or rereading the same page in her novel over and over.
What she needed to do was keep herself occupied, and there was no better way to do that than continue the murder investigation. But her options were limited. She couldn’t call Paul Johnson or Mrs. Wise. She could call Connie and try to question her again, but if she didn’t have any strong evidence then the other woman was likely to blow her off. In fact, Connie was likely to blow her off unless she showed up with the police and an arrest warrant.
So she had to get to Connie another way. And the only way was through Ron Moore. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to him. He might have had some crucial piece of evidence and just not realized it. It was worth a shot.
She had his phone number and gave him a call. “Hey, Ron, it’s Missy.”
“Hello.” He was guarded, which made sense because he knew she was treating Karen’s death like a murder. “What’s up?”
“I was thinking more about Connie and…I’m trying to learn more about her.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t even know what to ask, to be honest.” Missy shook her head. “But I just have this feeling, you know?”
“Yeah. You starting to see it the way I do?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. But I feel like if we can talk about what we both know, maybe something will stand out.”
“That’s a good idea. You wanna come over?”
Missy hadn’t been expecting him to make the offer and jumped at it. “Sure.”
She almost hung up since she already had his address, courtesy of Tyler. But she didn’t want Ron knowing she already had his address, so she asked for it.
Diet Club Death: Missy DeMeanor Cozy Mystery #3 (Missy DeMeanor Cozy Mysteries) Page 12