“I thought since you were on a case, we wouldn’t be going out.” I put my head on his chest and we unlocked the front door. “I’m so glad you are here, though. I had breakfast with Darla this morning. That girl knows how to wind me up. She tried to get me to spill all the dirty secrets you tell me about your investigations.”
“Ha, I bet she was surprised when you told her you didn’t have a secret to share. I told you before we went fishing with Jim a few months ago, I’m taking No-Guilt-Sundays, even while I’m on a case. All work and no play makes Greg a boring guy. Not to mention stressed to the gills.” He nodded to the kitchen. “You need to handle anything? Or should we take the long way and see if we can find the sea lions this afternoon?”
“You feed and water Emma, I’ll run upstairs and get a quick shower and make myself pretty.” I kissed him on the cheek. “I really needed to see you today. Amy’s mad at me and the breakfast with Darla was painful. Did you know some lady got in Taylor’s face after the memorial yesterday?”
Greg sank into a kitchen chair. “Yep. Tim did the report, but I guess the woman was livid. Grief does that to people.”
“So you don’t think Taylor killed Kacey.” I perched on a chair, too, leaning in for the answer.
“I don’t think I’m spending my No-Guilt-Sunday talking about work.” He stared at me, then sat up. “Look, this is all I’m going to say, then the subject’s closed. I know you, and you’re not going to be happy until we get the facts out there.” I saw him consider his next words carefully. “Kacey’s death has been ruled suspicious. She died of anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction to wheat. We don’t know how she ingested it, but it’s clear she wouldn’t have eaten something with wheat willingly. Everyone said the girl was fanatical about her diet. We have lots of persons of interest, including Taylor and Austin, but nothing concrete at this time.”
The breath flowed out of me. “So she was murdered. That poor girl.”
“I didn’t think you liked her all that much.” Greg stood to let Emma outside. “And for your information, that last statement is what we’re releasing to the press, minus the names, tomorrow. Darla will at least have an official statement to weave into her article.”
“I didn’t like what Austin did to Sadie. Kacey just got caught up in the mix.” I watched him. “You didn’t mention Sadie. Is she off the persons-of-interest list?”
Greg filled Emma’s water dish. “I don’t see how she could have been involved. The day Kacey was killed, Sadie spent the entire day working at the church’s outreach program for the homeless in the city. She drove the bus of volunteers, manned the chow line, and was in plain sight for the full time.”
I smiled. “Sounds like Sadie. She loves her mission days.”
“Well, this time her charity work saved her butt. And before you ask, Nick was in classes all day, then had a debate team practice in the evening. That kid goes from the time he gets up to when he falls into his dorm bed at night. He’s going to run the world in a few years.” He disappeared into the laundry room and came out with a scoop of food for Emma that he pointed at me. “So, are you getting ready or going like that?”
“Ten minutes.” I stood to head upstairs to shower. I paused at the doorway and turned. “Thank you. I know we have a pact not to talk about open investigations.”
He held up his hand. “I didn’t tell you anything that would get me in trouble or that I wouldn’t tell Darla. Well, almost nothing.” He grinned and pointed to the stairs. “Go get ready. Our day together is disappearing.”
When we finally got to the restaurant, I’d relaxed. We’d talked during the ride about everything and nothing. My camera was filled with pictures from the beach, highlighting the sea lions and the perfect ocean view we’d just kept finding, stop after stop.
As we followed the hostess through the dining room to our table, Greg paused and clapped his hand on a male back. “Great minds must think alike. How you doing, Justin?”
Amy’s hand froze as she held her salad fork. She glanced up at me and then Greg but didn’t say anything.
“Hey, buddy, good to see you.” He looked at Amy, who shook her head. “We’re out for a little couple time; you know how hard it is to get time alone.”
Greg took the hint. “Us too. In fact, I’m hiding from the investigation right now. Hopefully my phone will stay quiet long enough for me to at least finish my salad.” He put his hand on my back and gently pushed me toward our waiting table.
I resisted the movement. “Amy, I’m sorry I was a jerk yesterday.”
She didn’t look up. “I’m sure you are.”
“Wait, that’s all you have to say? You think this is all my fault?” I put my hands on my hips and glared at her.
This time Greg’s push wasn’t as gentle. “Not here,” he whispered in my ear. Then to Amy and Justin, he waved. “See you around South Cove.”