“I was kicking myself after the party.”
“Why’s that?” My voice sounded tight as I asked the question.
His eyes twinkled with arrogance. “Because I wanted to ask you out.”
I blinked, trying to keep my expression neutral and not show my disdain. “Did you?”
“That’s right. So what do you say?”
That’d I’d rather go on Dancing with the Stars. Instead I said, “You’re serious?”
“Of course I’m serious. Tonight.” He glanced at his watch. “In two hours. Is that enough time?”
I had no desire to eat with this man. However, this could be my opportunity to find out more information. Could I really pass it up? Of course not. “Can I pick the place?”
“Name it.”
“It won’t be Willie Wahoo’s.”
“Good. That place is a dump.” He offered a guttural half chuckle, half groan of disgust.
“Okay then. Let’s do it. Fatty Shack in two hours.” I turned to leave.
“I thought you came to play golf,” Ryan called.
Oh yeah . . . “I was, but now I’ve got to get ready for a date. Golf will have to take a time-out.”
I briefly thought about telling Jackson about my date with Siegfried. But that just felt so high maintenance. And I’d picked a location that was very public. And I wouldn’t do anything stupid like go somewhere alone with Siegfried.
So I should be fine.
Said every woman before she ended up dead because of a stupid choice.
While still in my car outside the restaurant, I ran a hand through my hair and tried to remain calm. I liked to think that I knew what I was doing, when in truth, I had no idea what I was doing. Except trying to find some answers. And trying to stay alive, and trying to get some kind of justice in a world that seemed so unjust sometimes. Justice for Cora. Justice for Lexi.
I played with my hair. I’d taken the time to add some soft waves, and I wore it down over my shoulders. I’d picked my favorite jeans and a nice black top to go with them. And heels. Always heels on dates.
I wasn’t trying to impress, but I’d decided to play a role since it was what I did best. Tonight I’d tap into the sophisticated actress side of me. And I’d do it all for the sake of gaining information.
I stepped into Fatty’s, a quaint little restaurant located on the causeway between Nags Head and Roanoke Island. It was run by locals who used fresh local seafood and vegetables whenever possible. The place wasn’t beautiful, and it usually smelled like both grease and disinfectant, but the food and atmosphere were otherwise good.
I’d come here before both with Zane and with Jackson. I’d do anything to be with either of them now instead of Siegfried. But that wasn’t an option. Instead, I would suffer this out with Shania Twain, who crooned overhead.
My eyes scanned the eating area and came to a stop on Siegfried. My stomach roiled at the sight of him. Based on his still-wet hair, he was freshly showered. His fake tan had been sprayed. His extra-white teeth glistened.
He was trouble. I felt sure about it.
I plastered on a smile and sauntered over to him. He rose when he saw me.
“Joey,” he said.
I nodded and lowered myself gracefully into my seat. I could be graceful when I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
I should totally get points for that.
“I went ahead and ordered some calamari.” He nodded toward the basket at the center of the table.
I glanced at the golden, greasy fried squid and tried not to turn up my nose. “Looks great.”
I really wanted to jump right to the point. I wanted to ask questions about Cora. But if I did, he’d run from me. If he’d been the man who was shooting at me, then he might do worse than run. He might start shooting again. That was why I had to play this cool.
No sooner had the thought popped into my mind, did a gaggle of commotion clamor near the restaurant’s entrance. I closed my eyes, instantly knowing who else was here tonight.
The Hot Chicks.
“Joey! I had no idea you were going to be here!” Dizzy cackled. “And who is this?”
I bit back my dread. This wasn’t supposed to happen. “This is Siegfried.”
Siegfried looked unabashedly annoyed as the group surrounded our table. “Hello.”
Dizzy’s mouth opened in an exaggerated O. “You’re always so full of surprises, Joey. Well, we’ll let you two eat. Enjoy!”
However, it was going to be hard to enjoy, I realized, as the group sat behind me. All I could hear was their opinions on man buns—unfortunately, they hadn’t grasped the meaning of that yet and were talking about a different kind of man buns. Then they talked about the Romeos again. They were worse than a group of high school girls.
I swallowed and tried to concentrate on Siegfried.
Thankfully, the waitress came and took our order. Siegfried got a steamer basket, and I ordered shrimp scampi on a bed of broccoli instead of noodles.
Winning!
“So tell me about yourself,” I started, raising my water glass. “What do you do for a living? I don’t think you’ve told me yet.”
“I’m a professor.”
My eyebrows shot up. I hadn’t expected that one.
“I get that reaction a lot.” He smiled, as if satisfied.
I kept my voice smooth and flirty as I said, “You don’t strike me as the professor type.”
“Because I’m not wearing elbow patches and a sweater vest?”
“Perhaps. None of my professors looked like you.” I puked in my mouth a little as I said the words.
He cocked his head. “I had no idea you went to college.”
Ouch! I leaned back to observe him better and keep my emotions in check. “Was that an insult?”
“That was whatever you want, I suppose.” His eyes twinkled.
I wanted to smack that sparkle from his gaze, the big old jerk. I did not like this man. Not one little bit.
“If you’re a professor, what are you doing in this area? Do you teach at one of the colleges? Are there any colleges on the Outer Banks even?” I tried to think it through, but I couldn’t remember what was here.
He straightened the crisp sleeves of his shirt. “I’m writing a book, if you must know. This area is fascinating, and I’m researching its history.”
I nodded, like I was interested. “It really is. Pirates. Shipwrecks. Submarines off the coast during World War II.”
“You know more than I thought.”
Was that another dig at my intelligence? I didn’t want to think so. But maybe I should. I stabbed my lemon with my straw, wishing I had something stronger than water.
“Where do you teach?”
“All over.”
“And what do you teach?” Sheesh. Most men loved to talk about themselves. Siegfried was a little too calculating for that though. He wanted me to work for answers. It was one more way of being controlling.
“History.”
Before I could continue my questions, Erma—our waitress—delivered our food in record time. I had to keep the conversation going before the subject changed.
I raised a fork but didn’t dig into the tantalizing food on the table. Not yet. I saw my opening. “Fascinating. You know where I went for the first time the other day? Nags Head Woods.”
His eyes lit, but only for a moment. “Is that right?”
I nodded. “I was looking for the Goat Man.”
The tension seemed to leave him, and he let out a long chuckle. “The Goat Man. The idea is utterly ridiculous.”
“But is it?”
“The woods are much more fascinating than that. There used to be an entire village there. Sea captains made it their home. The land tells the tale of a long history fraught with hardship and survival.”
“It sounds like it. I can’t imagine the ways they had to contend with Mother Nature. It’s rough, even with all our modern technologies. But back then they had none of that.”
“No, they used their instincts—something we’ve lost in our lazy culture.”
“Fascinating.”
“Now on the other hand, the time period truly was fascinating. I can only imagine what it was like back then. Pirates. A disappearing colony of people. Contending with Native Americans. It was an adventure.”
“And that’s what your book touches on?”
“That and more.”
I forced a smile. “How are you doing research?”
“Various ways. Estate sales. Some of the houses here were built with scraps from shipwrecks. One man in Hatteras found a trunk up in his attic with journals inside. He’s been letting me read them. Relatives of the Mullits were mentioned in it.”
“The Mullits?”
“The cemeteries at Nags Head Woods? They’re filled with Mullits.”
“So they’re journals of a sea captain and his family?”
“That’s right. It paints a different picture of what life was like on this island, back before people first started coming here because they thought the ocean promoted health, healing, and longevity.”
“I see. It certainly sounds like you’re going to have one great book at the end of this process.” I shifted and stabbed a piece of shrimp. This was all interesting, but I wanted to know about Cora. “I’m still trying to figure out how an esteemed historian like yourself got mixed up with Billy.”
“I could ask the same thing about you.”
“True. How many parties have you been to?”
He cooled in front of me. “Are you interrogating me?”
“Can’t a girl just make conversation?” And I wasn’t ready to let this drop yet. “What’s up with the mermaids there? And the Egyptian princesses.”
He shrugged, my explanation seeming to appease him. “Beats me. Billy likes them. I think he really wants to live in Vegas, but since he doesn’t, he’s bringing Vegas here.”
“I see.” I leaned closer. “The truth is, I got connected with Billy’s parties through a friend.” I held up the picture on my phone. “Maybe you recognize her?”
He stared at Cora’s photo, and his face went pale.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Why would you ask that?” Siegfried’s gaze darkened.
I laced my fingers together and posed with them below my chin. I was the picture of innocence, especially when I added in some fluttered eyelashes. “Can’t a girl just be curious?”
His eyes further darkened into bottomless abysses. “I’m not buying it.”
Sell your acting skills, Joey. This is what you do. And remember: the best lies are grounded in the truth.
“Look, all I’m saying is my friend went to Billy’s parties. I just wondered if you’d ever seen her. Based on your reaction, I’d say yes. Also based on your reaction, something about Cora bothers you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t hem and haw.”
“Hem and haw?” He chortled. “Now that’s a backwoods expression.”
Oh, I’ll show you backwoods.
I was close to answers. I could feel it in my bones, and I couldn’t blow it now.
“Yeah, I remember seeing her there.” He pushed his food away, as if he’d lost his appetite.
I squinted. “What aren’t you saying, Siegfried?”
“There’s nothing I’m not saying.”
He was definitely defensive.
“You know Cora is missing, don’t you?” I let out a dramatic gasp. “Are you acting like this because you had something to do with her disappearance?”
His hands hit the table. “What? No. Is this the reason you wanted to meet me? Because if it is, I’m done.”
I knew there was no recovering from this now. I had to charge full speed ahead.
“I’m going to have to report this to the police, you know.”
“There’s nothing to report.” His voice rose until everyone quieted around us. “I didn’t do anything to that girl. I haven’t seen her since that night.”
I wanted to lean toward him in interrogation mode, but I needed to keep things as light as possible. “Then why the overreaction?”
He wiped a hand over his face and glanced around. He lowered his voice. “I hit on her, alright? She wasn’t interested. But I made a move. I was rejected.”
“Is that right?” I was certain he didn’t take well to that.
“She acted interested, but she wasn’t. Are you happy now?” His shoulders sagged as his false pride dissipated like fog on a sunny day.
“I don’t know if I’m happy, but at least I’m partly satisfied.”
He shifted and sighed, as if this conversation was beneath him. “Listen, when did she disappear?”
“Sunday.”
“I was doing a lecture on Sunday. All day. In Raleigh. Ask anyone.”
“Good to know.”
“That said, I can tell you’re not here because you’re interested in me—”
Like I’m the superficial one here.
“—and I’m done.” He threw his napkin on the table. “Have a great life, Joey Darling. You don’t know what you’re missing out on.”
Oh, but I did. And I was so glad to be missing out on any type of future with a narcissist.
He stormed from the restaurant, but I wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere. I used my phone to do an Internet search for Siegfried. I did a quick check to confirm if he’d spoken at the college in Raleigh. Sure enough, there were announcements and even a couple of Twitter feeds about the event.
“That didn’t go well, huh?” Dizzy called from behind me.
“No, it didn’t. But I’m getting closer to the truth.”
Since Siegfried didn’t leave any money, I dropped some hard-earned cash on the table. Then it was time for me to go.
I needed to think things through a little more.
Five minutes later, I pulled up to my oceanfront duplex.
When I stepped out of my car, someone else stepped out of the shadows.
Billy. And he held a baseball bat.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I thought I told you to stay out of this.” Billy patted a bat in his hands. He looked menacing, pure and simple.
I gripped my keys, shoving them between my fingers like a domestic housewife version of Wolverine. I could turn these suckers into weapons. If I needed to, I could use my baloney move. I was not going to act like a scared little fawn ducking into the woods. Besides, there were no woods to duck into.
That said, I really hoped Zane might step out or Jackson might drive past.
“What are you doing here, Billy?” I asked.
He narrowed his eyes, still gripping that stick. “I know you were with Siegfried tonight.”
I raised my chin. “Are you dictating who I can go on dates with now?”
He stepped closer. “You and I both know that was no date.”
“You’re being awfully presumptuous.” My backwoods-mountain attitude tried to claw its way out of me again, but I attempted to hold it at bay. “What you think doesn’t mean diddly squat, and you have no idea who my type is.”
Umph! There it was. My backwoods dialect had come out after all, and all signs of the sophisticated Joey disappeared.
He glared at me. “No, but I can guess.”
“I think you’re a jerk.” Oops. Where had that come from? I flinched.
“You need to back off,” Billy growled.
“You view me as a threat.” I raised my chin higher, knowing my words were true.
My declaration obviously threw him off guard because he froze a moment before chuckling. “You’re a menace. Like a mouse or a mosquito. But you’re no threat.”
I jutted a hip out. “Have we forgotten about the Zika virus?”
Again, my words seemed to throw him. He blinked, as if I were a loon. He didn’t know what to do with me, and I needed to use that to my advantage.
“I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’ll figure it out,” I said, gripping my keys more tightly.
He smirked. “Another overt threat, Joey? Didn’t you learn last time? This is your last warning,” he growled. “Don’t make me sic my guys on you.”
His words caused a tremble to rake through me.
Just then the door opened, and Zane stepped out with a glass of green juice in his hands.
“Joey? Everything okay?” He squinted. “Billy?”
Billy waved, suddenly looking chummy and his bat looking more like a baton as he twirled it between his fingers. “I was just leaving.”
I waited until he was gone—he’d parked his car in the driveway next door, and I hadn’t spotted it when I pulled in. Once he’d pulled away, I joined Zane by the door.
“What was that about?” Zane asked.
“He thinks I’m getting too close to the answers, and he warned me to back off.”
Zane frowned. “I don’t like bullies, Joey. Maybe you should back off.”
I shook my head. “Do you know what I do when people try to pressure me? It gives me incentive to keep pushing back. And that’s what I intend to do.”
In the privacy of my duplex, I curled up on the couch with my grandmother’s quilt comforting me. I needed some quiet time to think this through. Actually, I’d welcome thinking it through with someone else as a sounding board, but Zane had gotten a phone call from his family and left early to take the call. They lived in Florida now, from what I understood, and his dad was having some heart problems.
Okay, Joey, let’s review your suspects. Starting with Siegfried.
Even though the man might be sleazy, he didn’t appear to be guilty.
Elrod apparently was innocent.
How about Billy? Could he have been upset with Cora and taken revenge? He didn’t seem like the type to abduct. He’d just kill someone and walk away.
Andre supposedly had an alibi as well.
Whom did that even leave?
Maybe I needed to review each of my previous suspects a little more closely. Verify alibis. Look for cracks. Examine the three Rs: a reason, a resource, and a right circumstance.
Jackson was right—I seemed to care about this case to the extreme. I had so much guilt in my past. If I could help Cora, maybe just a little bit of the burden I carried could be lifted. It would be a start in making things right.
Safety in Blunders (The Worst Detective Ever Book 3) Page 15