by Cate Conte
I watched her, not sure what to say. Debbie Renault’s hateful comments still rang in my head. I could only imagine what the rest of the snotty rich crew were saying.
“I’m sure you know that,” Val said, answering her own question. “I’m sure you’ve heard it all.”
“Val,” I cut in before she could go off on another tangent. “Why was he there? Was he—”
“Sleeping with her?” she finished. “Probably. Or maybe her sister. Or both! Why not? He’d been spending a lot of time with the evil twins lately. He tells me he’s working all day, then going out with the partners at the firm for drinks. Then he ends up at that little tramp’s house and next thing you know she’s dead? That’s like a bad movie. Or one of those domestic suspense novels with the absolutely ridiculous endings. Now that loser is going to get arrested, probably. Maybe he even did kill her. I guess it depends on how long he was sleeping with her and what was going on. I heard she loves to find different guys every week and unceremoniously dump whichever poor loser she was with. So maybe she had a long list of people who wanted to kill her. But it figures my idiot husband would be the one caught in the spotlight.” She stopped to take a breath.
My ears perked up. Holly had multiple boyfriends? Even if Cole was one of them, that certainly widened the suspect pool. I interrupted. “Where’s Cole now?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care. Probably with his daddy. Preparing his defense.”
“Did you throw him out?”
She glared at me. “I didn’t get the chance. The little wuss hasn’t been back since the night of the party.”
I wish she’d had the chance to throw him out. But this—this wasn’t healthy for her. Sitting here in the dark, wondering if her husband had cheated on her and, even worse, if he was going to be arrested for murder. “You really haven’t talked to him at all since this happened?” I tried to keep the judgment out of my tone.
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Val. Come on. You can’t stay here,” I said, standing up. “It’s not good for you. Let’s get some things. You can come stay with me and Grandpa. Help out at the café for a few days. What do you say?”
She turned and stared at me as if I’d just suggested she dance naked down Main Street during the annual Lobster Festival. “You want me to leave my house?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I want. You don’t seem like you’re happy to be here right now.” I looked around. The house was nice, but it wasn’t homey at all. It was like something out of an interior design magazine. Which was fine if you liked that sort of thing, but I much preferred the feel of Grandpa’s house. Mismatched, comfortable, lived in. Loved. This place felt like a museum. “Come on. I’ll help you.” I grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the stairs.
“Maddie. I can’t just leave,” she protested.
“Why on earth not?” I asked. “Screw him. If he comes back let him wonder where you went.” And when the divorce papers are coming, I added silently.
Val let me pull her along. “Did Mom and Dad put you up to this?” she asked sullenly. “They’ve been trying to get me to go stay with them. I finally had to stop answering their calls.”
“They have? No, they didn’t ask me to do that. If you’d rather stay with them that’s fine. I just don’t think it’s healthy for you here, Val.” That was putting it mildly.
She stared at me for a few minutes. I couldn’t quite tell what was going on inside her head.
“I’ll go with you,” she said finally. “Come help me pack.”
Relieved, I followed her up the stairs, JJ trotting along behind us. Val pointed down the hall as we reached the top of the stairs. “Go raid my bathroom for makeup. I might want to use it again someday, especially if you take me out somewhere.”
Chapter 22
While Val collected some clothes into an overnight bag, I went through her makeup cabinet. Without much luck. As I sorted through eye shadows older than Grandma’s car, I realized I needed to take my sister to Sephora on the mainland first chance I got. I also realized that her vain, full-of-himself husband had more hair products than she did.
I resisted the urge to throw them in the trash and slammed the cabinet door. Val stuck her head in. “All set?”
“Yeah. Once this is over we need to go makeup shopping. Let’s go.” I clipped JJ’s leash back on his harness and grabbed my bag. I hustled Val outside, feeling like we were staging some big getaway. Which we kind of were. I pointed her toward her car and got in mine, waiting for her to pull out in front of me, then followed her.
When we got back to Grandpa’s, he and Ethan were sitting out on the porch having a beer. Grandpa’s eyes widened when he saw Val and her suitcase, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he got up and gave her a hug.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
“Hi, Grandpa.”
They observed each other for a minute. I knew Grandpa didn’t really know what to say, and Val knew Grandpa well enough to know he wouldn’t say anything. They both seemed to like it that way. They’d probably already discussed the terms of Grandpa’s investigation anyway.
“Val’s staying with us for a while,” I told them.
Ethan waved at my sister from his seat on the porch. “We’re glad you’re here,” he said, and I felt a rush of gratitude for him.
Val offered him a stiff smile.
I squeezed her hand. “Come on. I’ll get your room set up and then we can make a giant bowl of popcorn and watch some corny movie. Okay?” I smiled encouragingly.
She followed me upstairs to the third floor. “Here. You can be near Grandpa’s room.” I pulled some new sheets out of the closet. “You can borrow any of the cats from downstairs if you want company too.” Val wasn’t a huge animal person, but some cuddles might do her some good.
Val sank down on the bed. “Thanks. Can I just go to sleep?”
“No. We’re going to watch a funny movie. And eat popcorn. Or ice cream. Would you rather have ice cream?” I looked at her over my shoulder.
“I don’t care. I’m going to shower.” She grabbed some clothes and disappeared down the hall.
I watched her go, feeling totally helpless.
After I made up the bed, I went downstairs to find a movie and some junk food. Grandpa had disappeared. I figured Ethan would’ve gone out too, but he was still sitting on the porch swing. I wondered if I should worry about him. He didn’t get out enough.
“Hey,” I said. “We’re going to watch a movie. Are you going out?”
Ethan shook his head. “Nah. It’s nice just hanging here.” He touched one foot down, setting the swing gently rocking. “So how’s your sister doing?”
I shrugged. “Feeling pretty lousy, I think.”
“Understandable. Anyone figure out what her husband was up to yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard from Grandpa, but who knows. He may have already cracked the case.” I managed a smile, but I wasn’t really feeling it. “And this island … I love it, but it’s like Peyton Place. You know? Everyone knows everything, and talks about everyone. You heard Debbie tonight. That’s just a taste of what Val’s in for if this doesn’t get quashed.”
“What about Debbie?”
Neither of us had heard Val slip out onto the porch behind me, and we both jumped. I turned around. She stood in the doorway, arms crossed, wearing pajama pants and a ripped Keith Urban T-shirt.
“Nothing,” I said. “We bumped into Debbie Renault tonight. You know how she is.” I tried to brush it off.
“Was she talking about me?” Val asked.
I hesitated, not sure what to say. But it was Ethan who came to the rescue.
“Actually, I think she was talking about me,” he said with that gentle smile. “I’m the new guy, right? They’re trying to figure out if I’m one of those West Coasters left over from the hippie days, which means I’m on drugs, or if I’m one of those plastic people who’s really eighty but’s had enough work done to make me look thirty. Pl
us they’re wondering about my skateboard.” He winked at Val.
Despite herself, a ghost of a smile touched her lips.
“Why don’t you go in and pick out your junk food,” I said, taking advantage of the moment. “I’ll be right in.”
Miraculously, she didn’t argue with me and went back inside. I looked at Ethan. “Will you watch a movie with us? Please? You seem to defuse her.” I sent him a pleading look.
He laughed. “Sure.”
“Really?” Relieved, I leaned over and hugged him. “Thank you.”
Val stuck her head back out the door. “We do need ice cream. There’s only a tiny bit of chocolate chip left.” Her tone indicated that was as serious a crime as any that had been committed over the weekend.
I looked at Ethan. “Shall we go get some ice cream?”
Chapter 23
“I can’t believe I’m walking around like this.” Val glanced down at her ratty clothes. She’d insisted she wasn’t getting changed when I told her we were all going to get ice cream, and now it seemed like she was regretting her decision. Although when the island was hopping like this during the last days of summer, people in pajamas were hardly the worst you’d see.
I thought it was progress that she at least noticed how she was dressed. We’d decided at the last minute to forgo the trip to the grocery store for a few pints of Ben and Jerry’s and instead get real ice cream at Mac’s Dairy Bar downtown. Ethan had discovered their gorilla genius flavor—chocolate and peanut butter with caramel swirled inside it—a couple weeks ago and I think he was making daily stops here to get his fix. I didn’t mind. I was partial to their strawberry cheesecake flavor.
“You going to try something fun today?” I teased Val. It was a running joke—she and our dad were the Boring Ice Cream family members. Some days they might live on the edge and get chocolate chip instead of plain vanilla. Or in my dad’s case, coffee. Which I had to admit was one of my favorites too, but usually with something chocolatey or mocha-flavored mixed in.
But neither of them usually strayed from their typical kinds. And sometimes, it seemed like such a waste.
“I might get chocolate,” she said, unenthusiastically.
“They have coffee mocha crunch!” I said, jabbing her arm in my excitement. “Or caramel turtle swirl.” For those combos, I might stray from my usual favorite.
She rolled her eyes at me. “So get a scoop of each. I want chocolate.”
“Then that’s what you’ll get,” Ethan declared. “Maddie? Is that what you want? A scoop of each?”
I nodded. It seemed a little like overkill, but it had been quite the weekend.
“Cool. I’m going to try the almond coconut,” Ethan decided.
Major decisions made, the three of us stood in silence in the long line snaking around Mac’s parking lot. Pretty much every dairy bar on the island was like this beginning in late June, right through the start of the chilly days in September. People hated to see the ice-cream shops close down. It was like the last nail in the summer coffin.
Usually I hated when the summers ended. More so when I was a kid, and it meant the wild and crazy days of being out on bikes with my friends, or at the beach all day, were ending soon. This year though, I felt like we all could use the downtime of the fall and winter months to regroup and relax a bit. For me and Ethan, to really dig into the business side of the café and how we were going to operate. Get construction done on the house—and the garage.
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard my name being called. I spun around to find Lucas on the sidewalk, waving at me. “Save my spot,” I told Ethan and Val, and hurried over to where he stood with a chocolate Lab pacing restlessly back and forth.
“Hey.” He bent down and gave me a kiss.
“Hi,” I said, when our lips finally parted. We looked at each other for a second, then I stepped back. “Who’s this?”
“Jasper. I’m bringing him home. He was my last grooming appointment.”
“You do pickup and delivery too? Impressive.” I smiled, reaching down to pet Jasper. He licked my hand.
“How’d the rest of your opening weekend go? I heard about what happened.” He dropped his voice and looked around to make sure no one was listening. “I wanted to come by today but we got slammed and I was down a groomer.”
“No worries. The weekend went fine. Well … you know what I mean.” I didn’t want to talk about Holly. “You want some ice cream? I’m here with Ethan and Val.”
He glanced at his watch. “Sure, I can do that.” He followed me back to the line.
“Look who I found,” I announced. “You know Ethan. Val, this is Lucas. Lucas, my sister Val.”
Lucas shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.” He was kind enough not to mention her pajamas.
“You too,” she said listlessly. I hoped the ice cream improved her mood a bit.
By the time we reached the front of the line, Ethan and Lucas were engaged in a serious conversation about the lobster roll at Damian’s place right near my grandpa’s house, or at the other lobster stand near the beach entrance. Apparently Ethan had been getting around. I was glad to hear it.
I stepped up to order the ice cream, but Lucas slipped in front of me, placed the orders and paid for all of them, waving me off when I tried to stop him.
“Thank you,” I said finally. “You’re very sweet.”
He smiled, a lopsided grin that always melted my heart. “You can go get us some napkins.”
I set off to the little cart with napkins and spoons on it over by the picnic area. As I gathered a hefty supply—I was a messy ice cream eater—my gaze drifted through the piles of people sitting at the picnic tables and on the various benches scattered around the small property.
And my eyes widened. I blinked once. Twice. It couldn’t be. I squinted, focusing on a bench at the farthest end of the lot near the parking area. Was that Cole? My sister’s husband? And was he sitting with Heather Hawthorne?
I’d recognize her anywhere, especially after my up-close-and-personal visit with her sister. Her hair was different, but it was definitely her. And definitely him.
Someone trying to get napkins jostled me, then gave me a dirty look for standing there in the way. “Sorry,” I muttered, moving aside. What were they doing? Had I been wrong? Maybe Cole wasn’t seeing Holly. Maybe he was seeing Heather. The married sister. That would even the playing field, for sure, and be even more complicated. Maybe Holly had found out and threatened to expose them both, just for the fun of it. Maybe they’d conspired to kill her together. And now they were … what? Discussing whether or not they’d get away with it? Laughing at poor Adele? I watched Cole take a bite of ice cream and felt the mad start to slide up my neck and turn my face red.
I debated my options. Go over there and confront them? That would cause a huge scene and embarrass Val even further.
“Maddie?” Lucas waited for me, holding my cone up inquisitively.
With one more glance at Cole and Heather, I turned toward him. “Coming.”
I’d have to think about this later, when I got home. Until then, I guess I’d keep it to myself.
Chapter 24
Monday morning. I opened my eyes and squinted at the sun streaming in through my window. A beautiful summer island morning. I got up and went to the window, peering out at the ocean. The tide was out, and the water lapped calmly at the shore, twinkling in the undisturbed morning sunlight. It was almost pretty enough to make me forget all the ugliness going on around us.
Almost.
I still couldn’t shake the image of Cole and Heather Hawthorne, sitting on a bench at the dairy bar eating cones like her sister hadn’t just been murdered and he hadn’t found the body. And, oh yeah, hadn’t been in touch with his wife in two days. What the heck was going on there? Luckily, Val hadn’t spotted him. I’d managed to convince everyone to bring our ice creams back here. Too crowded, I’d said. Nowhere to sit. No one had been inclined to argue with me. Val had led the
way back to Ethan’s car. I’d let them go and gone with Lucas, who agreed to come back with us after dropping off Jasper the lab.
I hadn’t said anything to him about what I’d seen. I needed to process it first. Maybe talk it over with Grandpa. Heck, Lucas didn’t even know the story about Val and Cole yet. So best to keep quiet.
When we got back, Val and Ethan were already inside. Lucas and I lingered on the porch for a bit. One of the best parts of Grandpa’s house—aside from the book nook on the third floor—was the wraparound porch. We’d walked to the side where we could see the moon glinting off the water. Lucas had slipped his arm around me while we stood and looked at it. Neither of us said much. Then he’d kissed me. So much so that I hadn’t wanted him to go. But since I lived in a virtual commune these days and there was so much insanity going on, it hadn’t seemed like the right time.
But those few minutes had been the highlight of the night. The whole day, actually.
I took one last, longing look at the water, wishing I was heading out to the beach today. Or better yet, heading to the beach with Lucas. I shook that off. I had a business to run. A new business that needed a lot of attention. I turned around and surveyed my sidekick. JJ was sprawled on my pillow, paws crossed in front of him in his famous seal position. He wasn’t ready to get up either; he had fewer responsibilities than I did. At least we weren’t open today, so all I had to do was clean and feed the cats. Well, I had plenty to do behind the scenes, but nothing public-facing. Which meant JJ was off the hook too.
I left him to it and went downstairs, planning to get some of Ethan’s excellent coffee and start the cleaning process. My thoughts drifted to Adele again. I hadn’t heard anything else from her. I hoped she was okay.
I mentally ticked off my to-dos in my head: call Felicia and tell her we’d like her to help with the catering, spend some time thinking about how to structure Grandpa’s work in the café, call Adele’s nephew in case she hadn’t gotten around to it. Talk to Grandpa about Cole and Heather.