“Oh. There is that.”
“I don’t suppose you’d wear a Kevlar vest until people stop shooting at you.”
“A Kevlar vest over a bra top camisole? That would get me shot by the fashion police.”
“Cesca, you need to take this seriously.”
“I am, but you know it takes silver directly in the heart or brain to kill a vampire.”
“Or a beheading,” he added grimly.
“No worries about that. I see a sword, and I’m gone so fast, I’m a mere memory.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
018
I cleaned the kitchen, then looked over the rest of the pages Saber had printed for me. I didn’t understand 90 percent of it, but that was okay. I kept going back to the list of Triton’s companies and the places he’d lived. The list started with Cuba and the Florida Keys, then showed him in New Orleans and several coastal cities in Texas, including Galveston. He surfaced in south Florida again for a while, even in St. Augustine in the 1930s. After that, he shifted to cities all along the West Coast. The man knew how to diversify, too. At one time he’d owned interests in shipping, assaying, even timber and land companies. But his main businesses seemed to have been antiques of one kind or another.
And now he was in hiding. Saber wondered why and from what, and so did I. I sure wished somebody would give me a clue sooner rather than later.
I crawled into bed earlier than usual and slept until four when the phone rang.
“ ’Lo,” I muttered into the cordless unit.
“I woke you, huh?” Saber said, chuckling.
“Mmmm. What’s up?”
“Two things. First, I heard from Detective Balch.”
“Oh, yeah?” Balch worked for the St. Augustine Police Department and had been in on the French Bride case. “Dare I hope they caught Gorman?”
“They did, though Balch said they can’t charge him with anything but destruction of property unless a little bird wants to come forward. Then they can hold him for attempted murder.”
“He’d still get out on bail, right?”
“Depends on his lawyer and the judge.”
“Then pressing charges is more trouble than it’s worth. What’s the other thing?”
“I just toured Neil’s house. Cesca, this is the one.”
“You’re sure?” I asked, coming fully alert. “You know what they say about friends buying things from friends.”
“I know, but Maggie helped him update the place, so it’s good. Oh, and Maggie was there, so I mentioned Jo-Jo’s gig tonight. In case she wanted to twist Neil’s arm again.”
“And?”
“She said they’re leaving early tomorrow for two weeks in Savannah. Did you know that?”
Head smack. I’d forgotten all about their trip.
“I knew, I just lost track of time. Are you coming back this afternoon?”
“No. Now that the house looks like a deal, I need to get things rolling to sell my place. Oh, and Neil gave me a key so I can show you the house while they’re gone.” He paused. “You’re bringing Jo-Jo down to Daytona tonight, right?”
“Unless he’s decided to fly.”
“Either way, put out the mental call for Pandora to cover your back. I’ll meet you at the club at ten.”
As soon as I ended the call with Saber, I phoned Maggie. Neil answered, and except when the waves were really bitchin’, I’d never heard him so psyched.
“Hey, Fresca. I sold my house to Deke today.”
“I know. Congratulations. What time are you and Maggie leaving tomorrow?”
“I’ll let her tell you.”
“Cesca, what’s up?” Maggie asked.
“Saber reminded me about your Savannah trip. Can I come over in”—I glanced at the alarm clock I’d bought for Saber’s sake—
“half an hour? You can show me what needs taking care of while you’re gone.”
“You’re on, and plan to stay for sweet tea.”
I showered, dressed, and tossed off my afternoon Starbloods, then spent an hour with Maggie. She had a list of instructions for watering plants both inside and out but said she’d set the thermostat, alarm, and timer for the lights before she left. She’d also put a hold on the newspapers and mail, but had a back-order on cabinet hardware that might be delivered while she was gone. I’d check the front porch for packages daily.
Maggie also told me the neighbors were agog because the Listers had gone on a cruise. Selma had dragged Hugh out of the house, him cursing, her blessing.
The subject switched to wedding plans over my sweet tea and her iced coffee. Neil wandered in to hint they were going to dinner to celebrate selling his house.