Maggie meowed again, then walked back to the porch and jumped onto the rattan chair where Esmeralda sat at nights watching the traffic. Or maybe watching my house. I couldn’t be totally sure. Today it appeared she was inside doing a reading for a customer, as there was a powder-blue BMW in her driveway. I guess even the rich and famous needed direction from the great beyond.
When I opened my front door, the landline was ringing. I ran to catch it, only to hear the click on the other end as the caller disconnected. I put my purse on the table and opened the back door to let in Emma. I walked back to the front to close and lock that door, when my cell went off in my purse. I quickly locked the door and ran back into the kitchen.
“Yes,” I panted into the phone.
There was a pause on the other side of the phone, and I thought maybe I’d missed this call as well. Finally, I heard my aunt’s voice. “Where are you?”
I sank into a kitchen chair and kicked off my shoes. “At home, why?”
“Then why do you sound out of breath like you’ve been running on the beach?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Tell me what you told Josh last night.”
“I didn’t tell him anything. He scared the crap out of me. Does he always lock the door behind him when he comes in?” I walked over to the fridge and got the iced tea. I poured a glass and drank about half while I waited for her answer.
“Don’t change the subject. I want to know what you told him about where I was.” If I’d thought Aunt Jackie had been grumpy earlier, this was all-out war. Emma left her spot at the door and went to lie on her outside bed, not wanting to get in the middle of a fight.
I had to think for a minute. What excuse had I used? “I think I said you were tired and had gone to bed early.”
“No wonder.” She paused, then jumped back into the conversation. “Why didn’t you say I’d gone to town or met an old friend?”
“Sorry, next time you ask me to keep a secret, give me something to say.” I returned to the table and leafed through an old magazine. “Besides, you’re lucky I didn’t blab everything I knew. The guy scared the crap out of me. You could have warned me.”
She sighed. “You’re probably right. I should have left an alibi. I just didn’t want Josh to feel bad if he found out. Now I have an expensive flower delivery on my table and a get well soon card from the man. I feel like a total heel.”
“Did you have fun with Harrold?” I thought a change of subject was appropriate. Aunt Jackie could beat herself up about the lie on her own time. I wanted gossip.
“Harrold is a very interesting man. Did you know he traveled through Europe during summers while he was in college? You can’t believe the places he’s been. He makes me look like a homebody.” Her voice raised a few notches, excited about the topic.
“I didn’t know that. You two must have a lot in common.” I didn’t push. I liked Josh; I just didn’t see him as relationship material for my aunt. Harrold, on the other hand, he seemed more like Uncle Ted.
“I thought I was all past this dating angst. I’m too old to be worried about anyone’s feelings but my own.” I could hear her thrumming her fingers on the tabletop.
“Are you telling me you said yes to a second date?” I held my breath and crossed my fingers.
“Do you think I’m stupid? Of course I said yes. I just need to tell Josh I’m seeing someone else. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
I glanced at the clock. I needed to get changed and head down to the beach for the memorial. “Hey, I’ve got to go. Come by tomorrow if you want to talk. With Greg working the case, I’m sure I’ll be alone most of the day.”
“I’ve already got plans for the day, but we’ll catch up.” She hung up the phone.
I clicked off my own phone and looked at Emma. “Your Aunt Jackie is smitten.”
Emma woofed at me.
I took that as a “good for her” and ran upstairs to get showered and changed into a pair of nice pants and a dressy shirt. I wore flats that I hoped would keep the sand out of my shoes, but I wouldn’t have bet the farm on the fact.
As I went out the front door, I texted Amy to see where she was. The return message told me that she and Justin were already at the parking lot but would wait by the stairs for me to arrive. I hurried toward the highway and the beach. I could see the cars on the highway lining up to turn into the small parking lot and then coming out the other side to drive to the next lot a few miles down. Both had access to the beach where Kacey’s memorial would be held.
And both were access to the place where she was murdered. I paused, looking down the road, and wondered whether her killer had waited there for her to arrive.
Of course, I still didn’t know how Kacey had died, so my mental gymnastics over the problem were only speculation.
But I still couldn’t take my eyes off the other parking lot, shimmering in the distance.
CHAPTER 9