We said our good-byes, and when Aunt Jackie and I got back into the car, she opened the folder and stared at the picture. Then she handed it to me. “It’s the same woman, right?”
I looked at the younger, smiling Austin and the woman we’d just met. “Almost fifty years later, but yeah, that’s MJ.”
I let the car sit idling for a while. “I’m not sure what to do next. We may know why Austin was hiding, but all it means is he might not have been involved in the bombing. Of course, MJ is the only one who can verify that, and her testimony would be a little dicey.”
“Let’s just find out if Austin is the boyfriend first. Don’t you know the florist in town?” My aunt stared out at the entrance to the facility. “Seriously, if I get that bad, don’t put me in a place like that.”
“You want me to hire cute cabana boys to watch over you?” I smiled and put the Jeep into gear, thankful for a direction. I was going to have to confess my investigating sins to Greg, but not quite yet.
“Actually, I’m thinking a cruise ship. I read an article about a woman who is living on one as her retirement home. I could do that easy. Maybe I could get a job running the senior social hours to help pay for my stays.” My aunt shrugged. “It’s as good a retirement plan as any, I guess.”
“I just hope you don’t take off too soon.” I squeezed her arm. “I don’t know what I’d do without you at the shop now. I’d be a mess in a month.”
She sniffed. “I’d give you a week before you’d be begging me to come back. Are you still thinking about taking those business classes? I think you need to consider expanding your knowledge about the business world.”
I had thought about taking some classes at the local community college, but I’d put it off in favor of spending more time on my deck with Greg. “Honestly, I haven’t done anything. I’ve missed the spring semester, but I’ll get registered for fall. As long as they’re night classes, my time’s free.”
“Speaking of nights, can you take my shift on Friday again? I’ll work your morning shift on Saturday so you can have the entire day off.” My aunt turned her head away from me, but I could see a slight tinge of pink on her cheek.
“You have plans for Friday, again?” I kept my head facing forward, but tried to gauge my aunt’s response.
“Fine. Yes, Harrold asked me out again. There’s a traveling show in the city and the last night they’ll be there is Friday. We tried to get in tonight, but the theater is dark on Mondays.” She turned toward me. “Is it a problem for you to work? I could ask Sasha, but I think she’s got midterms this week.”
“Not a problem at all. Greg will probably still be tied up with this investigation.” Especially when I gave him the information that I’d uncovered. He’d have to talk to the nursing home people. I only hoped Tess wouldn’t be too disappointed that our imaginary relative wasn’t moving in. Did they get commissions like used car salesmen? Five admissions in a month and they earned a trip to Mexico? “And I’ll be expecting Josh to show up at closing. What should I tell him?”
“I don’t have to explain my life or my choices to that man.” She crossed her arms.
“Yeah, but I do. So if you don’t want me to use the ‘she’s too sick to work’ excuse like I did last week, I need something to tell him.” I parked in front of the florist. “You think about what you want me to say, and I’ll pop in to the florist shop to see Allison. Then we’ll eat over at that new Asian Fusion place near the Pet Palace.”
“I suppose you need something for that mutt of yours.” Her words were harsher than her tone. “You might want to get her more tennis balls, too. The ones she has are disgusting.” She took a book out of her purse. An autobiography of another ex–First Lady; my aunt had a taste for the political life, even if it was just reading about those involved in the national game.
I left the stereo on and my keys in the ignition in case she needed to turn on the air or roll down a window.
Allison Delaine was in the front of the shop, a tiny vase of purple flowers, pansies, and violets partially completed on the counter. She smiled when I opened the door and its chime announced my entrance. “Jill, I haven’t seen you in forever. Is this a personal call, or are you here on committee business?”