Toxic

by Debra Jupe

  Gracie bit into her bottom lip, giving her friend an uncertain nod, while Quinn watched the swarms of people passing them by.

  “Quinn?” Krystal’s brows rose. “Will you be joining us?”

  She huffed. “I guess. But I’m only going to show you all I’m right. Ethan McCarthy is a cold blooded killer.”

  “Whatever, Quinn.” Krystal rolled her eyes. “We can make a game plan for tonight while we eat.” She gazed at the line of vehicles that had already formed, snaking around the building and moving at a crawl. The traffic on the street had congested and was at a standstill. “We better get going if we want to make it out of the parking lot.”

  “Don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon.” Vivian tossed her damp tissue into the stifling breeze as she turned and strolled toward her car parked nearby. “But we can give it a shot.”

  The women split in different directions. Gracie did her best to hurry on her extended trek to her pickup. Her shoes squeezed her feet and slowed her down. The heat intensified since the beginning of the funeral, the temperature soared to higher levels making her trip even more grueling.

  She picked up her pace about half a block from her truck. She seriously needed to sit down and get rid of these heels. If her feet were too swollen, and she couldn’t get them back on by the time she reached the cemetery, she’d pay her last respects barefooted.

  Mike would understand. If he didn’t, then he could take it up with her in another realm.

  She neared her truck. An unshaven, disheveled man stood close by her vehicle, lingering. Great. All she needed was to encounter some homeless guy. Not that she wasn’t sympathetic to plight of the poor, but she didn’t carry cash, and she hated to disregard anyone in need. She reduced her stride as she got closer. She looked harder at the man. Something seemed familiar about him. She stopped. The guy resembled Ethan.

  Her heart rate exploded and rammed against her ribcage.

  Was that…yes, Ethan was waiting for her.

  Shoving her achy feet and the heat aside, she hurried to meet him, stopping a few feet away. Their eyes met as pure betrayal brimmed over in her chest. Ethan wasn’t alone.

  Chapter 19

  Gracie gaped at the intimate scene playing out in front of her.

  The woman, the blonde she’d seen Ethan dancing with at Mike’s party, the one who Ethan reassured her wasn’t his girlfriend, had her arms wrapped around his neck, and his hands were placed securely on her waist.

  She snapped to what she was staring at. No longer able to view this cozy little picture, Gracie spun on her heel and broke into an awkward sprint. The spike of her high heel jammed into a crack of the uneven concrete. Gravity jerked her to the sidewalk. The damaged shoe flew over her head, landing in the grass beyond her. Her body vaulted, then skidded forward, ripping the skin from her palms, elbows, and knees.

  She didn’t allow herself to wallow in the pain. She bounced up, continuing her clumsy dash to her truck, leaving her errant footwear behind. Key turned, the engine rumbled, she shoved her vehicle in gear, guiding it into traffic, ignoring the honks and angry fists from drivers she’d cut off. She sped down the road, weaving in and out of lanes.

  Almost instinctively, she steered toward her office, screeching her tires as she parked. The lot was empty, the building dark. She kicked off her remaining shoe and rushed to let herself in.

  She stopped in the middle of the room. For a brief moment, she was lost.

  The afternoon sun glimmered through the one small window, a cone pattern shined across the tiles. The lone desk was cleared, empty. Good. Betty had left for the day.

  She stepped further inside to her private office and onto the fridge to grab a soda, then she collapsed into her chair, throwing her drawer open. She dumped the bag of chocolates in the middle of the desk. The candy spread over her work, but she didn’t care.

  Once the top was popped, she took a long swallow as she peeled back the sweet’s paper. The chocolate melted in her mouth. She held her legs supine to study her bloodied knees, then her feet sagged to the floor, too distraught to care about the throbbing scrapes or the aches.

  Was she more disappointed or surprised? Maybe a little of both. She had no desire to analyze her feelings. She wanted to wipe her mind clean and forget every moment since she’d met Ethan McCarthy.

  She stood, ready to change back into her work clothes, and then remembered Krystal. She’d rather not speak with anyone, but her friend was probably worried when she didn’t make it to the graveside. She leaned for her phone, lifted the receiver, and pointed a finger to punch the dial.

  A soft click came from the outer area followed by footsteps tapping on the floor.

  Damn. She forgot to lock the door.

  She returned the phone to its cradle and tiptoed to the doorway and peeked around the edge. She backed against the wall. After several more deep inhalations through her mouth, she stepped fully into the room.

  She glared at her guest, her voice frostier than an iceberg. “Why are you here?”

  Ethan held up a shoe. “You lost this.”

  She crossed her arms, her frown deepened.

  He laid her broken heel in the middle of Betty’s bare desk. “Quite a spill you took.” He indicated to the blood running down her knees. “You’re bleeding. Are you all right?”

  “You want to explain what’s going on back there?”

  His chin dropped to his chest. A quiet fell between them. He raised his head, giving it a significant shake before he finally spoke. “I can’t tell you anything.” His lips tightened as he raked a hand though his hair. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  “I’m nothing but a big fool. An old fool, since I actually believed someone ten years younger than me could be interested in me.” Her anger grew with each word.

  “You’re nothing of the sort. And our ages made no difference to me, you know that. This is my fault. I never planned for any of this to happen.”

  “I got it.”

  His head fell, he stared past his feet onto the shiny floor. At least he had the decency to appear ashamed.

  “You mean you never intended for us to happen, right?” Without waiting for his reply, she continued, “You came after me and used me. Somebody else was in the picture all along.”

  Ethan spun away so his back was to her. “You’re a good woman, and you deserve the best life can give you.” He returned to her. “You’re beautiful, funny, and smart. The past few days have been great, despite a possible murder wrap hanging over my head. But I’ve always known this, us, we could never work.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry.”

  Gracie barely listened. He was attempting to let her down easy. No point. He could go on about how wonderful he thought she was, or apologize over and again. The bottom line, he didn’t want her. He preferred someone else. He could save his guilt speech and leave.

  “So what you’re telling me is you followed me here to dump me. Formally.” Gracie’s mouth flattened. “You’ve been trying to do that all along, but I refused to see it. I was nothing but a good time to you.”

  Ethan shoved his hands into his jean pockets.

  “Okay. It’s official. We’re done. You can go now.”

  He nodded once then swung toward the exit. “You’re an amazing woman, Gracie. But this is too complicated.”

  “What is?” She ought to let this go. Let him go, except she wanted him to witness the pain, to see the hurt in her eyes. She didn’t want him to forget her face. “You owe me more than too complicated.”

  “I do, but that’s all I have to say.”

  She flung a hand at him. “Then leave. I don’t want to ever see you or hear from you again.”

  His chin dropped to his chest as he opened the door. He stepped outside and paused to watch a car whiz by on the highway in front.

  Gracie followed him, standing in the doorframe. Ethan hiked to his truck and was inside, without giving her a second glance. The engine roared as he backed out and then sped aw
ay. A cloud of dust swirled in the recently vacated spot.

  She reeled around to go in. Another pickup turned into the lot. Tires screeched as it skated to a halt. The door flew open. Krystal bolted out, running to Gracie.

  “What happened to you?” She stopped to take in Gracie’s appearance. “You’re hurt?”

  Gracie clutched her hands together, her focus on the direction to where Ethan’s truck had disappeared. “I had a small accident.” She sighed. “Heel of my shoe broke.”

  “You’re bleeding.” She hurried up the steps and took Gracie’s arm. “Let’s get you cleaned you up.” She guided Gracie indoors and into her private office.

  “I want to get out of these clothes first.” She gathered her work duds and went into a postage stamp size bathroom. “Help yourself to a soda.”

  It didn’t take long for her to change. Krystal had gotten her drink and was digging around in the top drawer of a tall file cabinet sitting in the corner, bringing out alcohol, antiseptic, and bandages. She carried the goods to the desk. “Sit.”

  Gracie did as she was told, snatching her soda on her way down.

  Krystal squatted beside her and began to clean her wounds. “So what was Ethan doing here?”

  Gracie tucked her bottom lip under her teeth. She’d hoped Krystal hadn’t noticed his truck speeding away. “He came to break up with me. Officially.”

  Krystal’s brows rose, but she kept the rest of her expression passive. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but it’s probably for the best considering his circumstances. Did he say anything about that? His possible arrest?”

  Gracie hissed as her friend cleaned a particularly deep scrape.

  “Sorry.”

  “To answer your question, no. He basically clarified where our relationship is—or isn’t, then I told him to leave. Besides, I was more interested in the blonde he held in his arms as opposed to his upcoming arrest record.”

  Krystal stopped dabbing and stared at her. “Where did you see this?”

  “After Mike’s funeral. It was the same woman he danced with at the party. They were together, not too far from my truck.” She gave an abbreviated version explaining last night to until he’d left moments before Krystal arrived.

  “Okay, we’re done here.” Krystal screwed the cap back onto the alcohol. “I can’t fix your heart or your relationship. He’s a jerk and not worth the time. We’re meeting Vivian and Quinn at Los Amigos, so let’s go have some good food, then we’re going to solve Mike’s murder.”

  “Krystal, I don’t—”

  “No excuses,” Krystal interrupted. “Doing this will get your mind off Ethan. You’ll have plenty of time to go through the anger, denial, grief, and whatever the other emotions you need to deal with. But for tonight you’re going to put him behind you.”

  ****

  Gracie groaned as she made her entrance into the eatery. Only Quinn waited at the table.

  Quinn spotted her too and gave her a feeble wave. Since there was no way for Gracie to backtrack and go outside to wait until the others showed up, she returned her gesture and strolled to where Quinn sat. She put on her best smile and gave Quinn a super polite greeting as she approached, but only after ordering a margarita with a sidebar from the waiter.

  “Make it quick.” She glanced in Quinn’s direction.

  Quinn had two small glasses of clear something in front of her. She downed each in one gulp and held up the empties. “Bring me another too.” She gazed at Gracie. “You missed the graveside service.”

  Gracie smiled, unwilling to reveal a smidgen of her afternoon once she’d left the funeral. “Traffic.”

  Quinn gave her a disbelieving look. “Uh huh.”

  “Everything going okay?” Krystal pulled out a chair to join them, Vivian not far behind to Gracie’s relief.

  The night turned out to be good for Gracie. She put her sorrows behind her, at least for the time being. Good food, friends support, and a strong drink did wonders for her ailing heart. After several spiked beverages she even found Quinn tolerable.

  At the end of the evening, Krystal raised her glass. “We need to toast Mike and his life.”

  Everyone cheered and clinked before taking a drink.

  “He did a lot for so many people.” Krystal dabbed her eyes with her napkin.

  “No one was better,” Vivian agreed. “I hope they catch the bastard who did this soon.”

  “The killer is Ethan McCarthy.” Quinn lifted her shot glass and downed her drink, then wiped her mouth on her sleeve. “I’m sure of it.”

  Krystal scowled at Quinn. “Why would you even say something like that? No information has been released, and he’s yet to be arrested.”

  Vivian looked at Gracie. “I’m iffy on the whole Ethan thing, too. Things seem bad, but I have trouble getting on board with his guilt. I bet you don’t even want to think about him being a murderer, considering how the two of you are.” She grinned. “I’d hate to give up a man so delicious.

  Everyone at the table focused on Gracie, who felt like someone splashed icy water in her face.

  Quinn’s eyes narrowed but twinkled, a trace of a smile played at her lips. “You and Ethan break-up?”

  No use denying it. Her heartache must be written all over her.

  Krystal gave Gracie a sympathetic glance. “I don’t think she wants to talk about it.”

  “It’s okay. Ours was a causal relationship. We’ve gone back and forth all week, he tends to run hot and cold and then—” She paused to sigh. “This afternoon, after the funeral, I caught him with the blonde he was dancing with at Mike’s party. They looked…close.”

  “They were really into each other that night,” Quinn said. “They seemed awful chummy. I’m surprised he didn’t go home with her.”

  Gracie gave a sad chuckle. “I suppose they’re doing more than the foxtrot.”

  A murmur of sympathy went around the table.

  “Did you talk to him?” Vivian questioned. “Ask him what’s going on.”

  “We did speak afterward.” Gracie’s mouth twisted. “I didn’t get much. Well, I officially got dumped. After that I threw him out of my office. Told him to leave me alone.” She raised her glass to drain the contents. “Tired of his indecisiveness.”

  “Lame,” Vivian said.

  Everyone went quiet. Krystal held up her hand for the waiter’s attention and made a circle motion to each of them for another round. They remained silent until their drinks arrived.

  Quinn spooned a mound of her dessert and pointed her utensil at Gracie. “You know what I’d do if I was you?”

  Gracie was afraid to ask, but did anyway. “No, Quinn, I don’t.”

  “I’d go over to his house and tell him you want the truth. You deserve a real reason. Make him explain what’s going on between him and that woman and why he did you this way. Not right to leave somebody like that. Even if you haven’t known him a long time.”

  Amazement charged through Gracie. She almost believed Quinn felt sorry for her. “It’s not that I don’t agree, Quinn, but what’s the point? This was nothing more than a weekend. A crazy fairytale.”

  “Every woman wants a fairytale, Gracie, and their happily ever after.” Quinn replied softly. “All women are worthy of one, too. And when it doesn’t happen, we should at least be told why.”

  “Oh, Gracie, I’m not a fan of this idea,” Krystal said. “Do you even know where he lives?”

  “I’ve visited him a couple of times.”

  “Then tonight, after our meeting at the nursery, you go find him, girl,” Vivian instructed, “and get some answers.”

  Okay the idea was crazy, but she did want closure. Yeah, she’d be paying Ethan McCarthy one more little visit. Damn the breakup, she wouldn’t leave until he explained everything to her, including his involvement with Mike’s death.

  Chapter 20

  After they finished their meal, the women discussed traveling arrangements for their late night excursion to the nursery. Th
ey voted to take one car instead of four, since so many would be conspicuous. Quinn drove the smallest vehicle, the easiest to hide.

  With the ladies piled in her compact, they left town. Quinn increased her speed, driving at a high rate down the dark, winding roads. Gracie and Krystal sat in the tiny back, gripped the seat in front of them so not to be thrown into each other or the side doors.

  Krystal leaned over to Gracie. “If I knew we’d be riding a rollercoaster, I wouldn’t have eaten so much. Her driving makes me queasy.”

  “Seriously. At least you only had one glass of wine. Anymore and you might be in some major trouble.”

  They reached the nursery in half the usual time, Quinn screeched the tires to a halt at the security gates. She punched in the code, then curved around to look at Krystal. “Gate opened or closed?”

  “Probably should leave them open in case we need to make a quick getaway.”

  Vivian twisted toward the backseat. “You don’t think someone may get suspicious if they drove by and noticed?”

  “This road isn’t that busy in the daylight hours unless it’s customers coming to shop with us,” Krystal reasoned. “I can’t imagine any traffic this far out after dark.”

  Quinn gunned the accelerator. The car lurched before she zipped through the entrance, driving to the other side of the building to park. The woman exited the vehicle and gathered in a tight circle next to the office.

  “So now what?” Quinn asked loudly.

  Vivian whipped in the direction of Quinn with a forefinger pressed to her lips. “We must be quiet.”

  “Why? Nobody’s here.”

  Krystal gazed into the darkness. “We don’t know that for sure, Quinn.”

  Gracie eyed the bleakness surrounding them, eyeing a group of live oaks. Clusters of Spanish moss dangled from the limbs. Other than an occasional light flurry to toss the sprigs, the nursery appeared vacant. Everything was eerily still, the air humid and sticky. Like a huge storm was about to roll in. During the day, the nursery was peaceful and in a weird way, lovely. Night was totally different. In the darkness, the place held almost a sinister aura.