by Julie Hyzy
That much I could agree to. I nodded.
“Are there any questions I can answer for you? Anything?”
I had a hundred questions though none I wanted to broach right now. Maybe not ever. I needed time. And I needed to think. “I’d like to go home.”
He got to his feet.
I stayed where I was, wishing I could sit here and stare at the sky all night. Wishing I could be a blithe teenager again.
“I’ll walk you home,” he said. “It’s late.”
The world felt so heavy all of a sudden. “I’d rather walk myself, if you don’t mind.”
“But is it safe for you—”
“I’ll be fine. Thanks.”
He gave a quick nod. “Take care, Grace, and thank you for hearing me out.”
I got to my feet. “Good night.”
He tried to smile. “You know where to find me.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned away.
I waited until his form disappeared into the night, then walked home, alone.
Chapter 26
With the morning newspaper in one hand, a mug of coffee in the other, and the sound of footfalls on the stairs, I braced myself.
“Good morning.” Bruce sniffed the air as he made his way across the kitchen. “You’re up early. And coffee’s ready. What’s the occasion?”
Scott stretched in the doorway. “We got in really late last night,” he said to me. “Anton may be twice our age but he’s got the gusto of a twenty-year-old.” As he padded across to join Bruce at the coffee machine, he asked, “What time did you get in from your date last night? How did it go?”
Seated at the table, I had my back to them. “I’ve had better evenings.”
Two beats of silence followed; clearly that wasn’t what they’d expected to hear.
My roommates sat down to join me. They both leaned forward, concerned expressions on their faces.
“What happened?” Scott asked.
Bruce’s mouth set in a grim line. “Is the baggage that bad?”
These two men were my best friends in the world. If I needed to pour my heart out to anyone, I couldn’t ask for a better audience.
I placed the newspaper on the table and set my coffee mug next to it. “I got to Hugo’s a little early,” I said, and then told them everything.
By the time I’d finished, both men were sitting back in their seats. All our coffees had grown cold, so I got up and started a fresh pot.
“He’s left it in your court, then,” Scott said. “What will you do?”
I had my back to them again. I shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”
When I returned to my seat, Bruce tapped the table top. “You’re torn because you don’t know the truth.”
“Exactly,” I said. “On one hand, Joe is the victim. On the other, he’s a soulless cad.”
“Remember that one scene in Lord of the Rings?” Scott asked. “I think it was the second movie when they’re worried about Frodo and Sam. That interchange between Aragorn and Gandalf?”
Bruce sat up straighter. “I know what scene you’re talking about. But that was the third movie.”
“You sure?” Scott squinted up at the ceiling, then said, “Yes, you’re right. Definitely, the third movie.”
We’d watched the trilogy together enough times that I knew exactly the scene they referred to.
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re asking what my heart is telling me, is that it?”
They nodded.
“I believe Joe. Everything he said felt true.” I blinked down at my coffee mug. “But what if it’s simply because I want his version to be true?”
“You have good instincts,” Bruce said.
I thought back on some of the men I’d dated in the past. “Not always.”
“Maybe you need to find proof, then,” Scott said.
“Where exactly?”
Neither of them had an answer to that.
The two men exchanged a look that I didn’t understand.
“What?” I asked.
Scott shrugged. “Believe me, we’re hoping things work out with Joe and he isn’t the ‘soulless cad’ that investigator made him out to be.”
“But?”
They exchanged another glance.
“That contractor, Jeremy, who came here last night?” Bruce asked. When I nodded, he went on, “When you left, he made an offhand remark about your date being a lucky guy.”
I smiled at their attempt to cheer me up. “He was being polite.”
“He gave you his business card, didn’t he?” Bruce asked as he got up to empty and refill our coffee mugs. “And he wanted to know if you were seeing anyone seriously.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That we don’t share details about our friend without her permission,” Scott said.
“Thank you.”
Bruce placed a steaming mug in front of me and pushed the cream container into reach. “And before you tell us that the only reason he’s interested in you is because of your relationship to Bennett, I’ll spare you the effort.”
I poured cream in my coffee and rolled my eyes.
“He didn’t even know who you were,” Bruce finished as he sat down.
“How did that come up?” I asked.
“It didn’t,” Scott said. “Which is weird. I think it’s because he’s from out of the area. Every other contractor so far has managed to bring up your name in conversation even though we never share with them that you’re our silent partner. I guess it’s common knowledge around town.”
I took a sip and savored the hot brew as it slipped down my throat. “Maybe Jeremy is more polite than most.”
“Actually, he didn’t know about you at all,” Bruce said. “He didn’t realize we had a roommate until we introduced you. I think your presence confused him.”
I thought about Jeremy. He had a nice smile. But moving toward a new romantic interest without closure on this one was not the least bit appealing.
“What did you think of this guy otherwise?” I asked.
“Too early to tell,” Bruce said.
Scott agreed. “I think part of our hesitation with Jeremy is that we weren’t able to walk through the building with him. Until he’s able to see the place for himself, he won’t be able to provide the sort of creative solutions we’ve heard from the other contenders.”
“I assume you’re planning to do a walk-through with him soon?” I said.
“That’s another issue,” Bruce said. “Because he’s headquartered so much farther away than the other firms, getting him all the way out here is a little tricky.”
“He said he’ll do his best to get back out here as soon as possible, though,” Scott said. “I hope so. I’d like to make a decision.”
“Anton said that he plans to talk to a few more people in the business. It’s important that we connect with a contractor who understands our vision,” Bruce said.
Scott nodded. “That will take time.”
“And legwork,” Bruce agreed. “We can’t just hire a contractor who sounds good. We need proof that they’re talented and conscientious.”
“Proof,” I said, recalling the remark Scott had made earlier. “That reminds me. Let me show you what I found in the photo albums.”
Bruce and Scott were taken aback by the evidence I’d uncovered. But even as I pointed out my mother’s slim figure in the photos leading up to the date of Liza’s birth, even though I was convinced I’d uncovered something profoundly important, my thoughts strayed back to Joe.
If everything he’d told me turned out to be true, then he was being made to suffer for someone else’s contemptible behavior. That made me complicit because I wasn’t giving him the benefit of the doubt.
But what if he hadn’t told me the whole truth
?
“You okay, Grace?” Bruce asked.
Belatedly, I realized Scott had asked me a question.
“I’m sorry. My mind wandered. Yes, I plan to ask my aunt about all this. I can’t imagine how she’ll explain these shots,” I said as I pointed. “I’m hopeful that my mom’s friend Arlene returns my call first, though. It would be better for me to have the whole story before I confront Liza.”
“What if Arlene doesn’t call?” Scott asked. “Or won’t tell you because it’s some dark secret your mother made her promise never to divulge?”
“Then I’ll figure it out another way,” I said. “I always do.”
• • •
That afternoon, as I was finally putting away all the albums, boxes, and files that I’d pulled out in order to investigate Aunt Belinda’s allegations about my mom, the house phone rang.
I trotted into the kitchen and scanned the caller ID display. Marshfield Inn. That meant it was either Liza or Aunt Belinda again. I ignored the call but waited for the answering machine to kick in. The moment it did, the caller hung up.
Less than thirty seconds later back in the parlor, my cell phone rang, offering the same phone number on its display.
I dropped it back onto the wing chair’s seat, letting it ring until it silenced itself.
No voicemail here, either.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” I said aloud, then shrugged. “No, not really.”
Bootsie leaped up onto the chair and settled herself atop the quiet phone as though to protect me from my aunt’s spite. I leaned down and scratched my little cat behind her ears. She purred.
“What do you think?” I asked her. “Will Arlene call? Will I ever find out the truth about Liza’s father?”
When the back door banged open, Bootsie jumped over the chair’s arm to greet Bruce and Scott.
“You home, Grace?” Bruce asked.
“In here,” I called back.
They’d returned from their errands in a jubilant mood.
“Hey, Grace, guess what?” Bruce said as Scott followed him in. “Oscar is out of the hospital.”
“That’s wonderful news,” I said.
“We stopped in to visit him this morning and found out that he was being released,” Scott said. He glanced at his partner. “There was no way we were going to let him go back to living on the streets.”
“Not after what happened to him there,” Bruce added.
“Exactly,” Scott continued, “so we offered him a job and a home.”
Taken aback, I blinked. “At Amethyst Cellars?”
“Why not?” Bruce asked rhetorically. “There’s plenty of room. He’ll be safe there and we can sure use help getting the place together.”
Scott nodded. “He seemed blown away by the idea. He couldn’t agree fast enough.”
“I know we’re making a leap of faith here,” Bruce said, “but we feel strongly about giving Oscar his best shot.”
“That’s wonderful,” I said and meant it. I, too, felt as though Oscar was a lost soul who needed a helping hand. “What will you do for accommodations, though?”
“For now, we’ve only set up a camp bed and brought in some supplies,” Scott said, spelling out a list of items they’d picked up for him. “As we move forward with renovations, we’ll look into creating a more personal space.”
“We’ll have to make sure we’re not breaking any zoning laws or building codes before we make this permanent,” Bruce said, “but I think we’re okay for now.”
“Has he been able to provide the police with a better description of his assailant?” I asked.
Scott shook his head. “He can’t remember much of the attack.”
“How is he feeling?”
“He’s got one arm in a sling and a few cuts and bruises on his face,” Scott said, “but he’s in good spirits and is thrilled with the new arrangements.”
“I’m glad,” I said. “You guys are good people.”
“Don’t worry, once he’s fully recovered, we plan to put him to work. He seems to be looking forward to that most of all.”
“Speaking of being useful,” I said, “check this out. I’m finally tidying up the place. Won’t you both be glad to come in here and not see piles of Wheaton family history on every horizontal surface?”
Scott waved the air. “No biggie.”
“Instead of spending the day cleaning,” Bruce said, “why don’t you come with us? We’re meeting Anton out in Westville. A friend of his called and suggested we come out to take a tour of his restaurant. His place has the ambience we’re hoping to cultivate.”
“Strictly a business outing,” Scott said with a grin.
“With Anton? Are you kidding me? That guy is a fish. My guess is that after your excursion, he’ll spirit you off to one of his favorite bars for the rest of the night. No thanks.”
“He’s a good man,” Scott said.
“I know he is. And I know he has great business instincts. But I’m not in the mood for a raucous night out. Not after yesterday. Not with the situation between Liza and Bennett still looming.” And not when I was waiting for a phone call from Arlene.
“We hoped an evening out might help take your mind off of . . . things.”
“I appreciate the thought,” I said. “Have a nice time. And if you’ve had too much and need me to pick you up, just call. No matter how late.”
“You got it,” Bruce said.
Later, after the boys had gone and all the piles of stuff I’d pulled out had been returned to their dark corners to be reexamined another day, my cell phone rang again.
Bootsie had disappeared and was probably sleeping upstairs. I couldn’t count on her to shield me from my aunt’s fury.
I glanced at the display and was surprised to see Tooney’s number listed there. “Grace,” he said when I answered. “Are you busy? Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
I sank into our sofa and perched my feet on the ottoman. “I sure do. What’s up?”
“Well,” he said with such hesitation that I eased back up.
“What happened?” I asked.
“That’s just it,” he said. “Not a thing. I haven’t been able to come up with a single lead on that guy who’s been following you.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him recently, either. “You think it was merely coincidence that he happened to be at the Granite Building on the day of the murder, and at same restaurant where I had lunch with Davenport, and at the restaurant where Joe and I met the other night?”
“No, I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” he said. “Your instincts are good. If you sensed him following you, then I’m convinced he is. I suspect that he realized you were on to him—especially since he knew you spotted him sitting at the bar last time—and he’s stepped out of the picture for a while until he thinks the coast is clear.”
“How do we find him, then?” I asked.
“Tough question. I’ve been shadowing you myself these past few days,” he said.
“You have? I didn’t notice.”
“Then I guess I did a decent job of being discreet,” he said with a chuckle.
“You definitely did.” My leg bounced an impatient rhythm. “I don’t know what to suggest. I was sure the guy had to be Craig and I figured he was after me because he knew I was there when Virginia’s body was found, but now I don’t know.”
“I wanted to give you an update,” Tooney said. “I’ll continue to keep an eye on you—”
“No,” I said, interrupting him. “Not necessary. If I see him around again I’ll let you know, but for now let’s consider the matter closed.”
“I’m happy to keep tabs on the situation. It’s not a problem.”
“I understand, but I’m starting to feel as though this was a colossal waste of your time.”
>
“Let’s compromise then,” he said. “Give it another week. If, by next Saturday, we haven’t spotted this guy anywhere in town, I’ll agree to fall back.”
“Sounds fair,” I said.
“Good, speaking of which: What are you plans for tonight?”
“Zero plans.” I glanced down at myself. “I’m in comfy pajama pants and a ratty T-shirt and I have no intention of changing. So feel free to take the night off,” I said with a laugh. “Go out and have fun.”
He chuckled. “Thanks, Grace. Talk soon.”
While I’d been on the phone with Tooney, the thought had occurred to me to ask him to find out what he could about Joe’s situation. I’d stopped myself before the words came out, though. I didn’t want to involve Tooney in my romantic troubles. Something about that felt very wrong.
I’d just put my phone back down when it rang again. It was Aunt Belinda.
There were only so many times I could put this conversation off. I forced a chest full of cheer into my voice. “Hello?”
Chapter 27
“It’s about time you answered,” she said. “Why did you cancel our meeting? That was very irresponsible of you. After I flew all the way here to help you with your sister, you could at least show a little respect for my time.”
“Unfortunately, it couldn’t be helped. A matter arose and—”
“Don’t give me that. I know this is payback for me telling you about your mother’s affair,” she said. “You’re angry and you don’t want to face the truth.”
“The truth—” I stopped myself. I didn’t have facts, only a few photos that may not prove or disprove anything. All I had were suspicions that my aunt hadn’t told me the whole truth after all. “The truth is important. And I’m not running away from it. But I do need time to get my head around everything you told me.”