“I know. You’re probably right. It’s just so weird. Like a curtain has been pulled over that part of my brain I use for creativity.”
I blinked, thinking it odd that she’d used those exact words to describe her artistic block, but was distracted from pondering it further by a familiar sedan pulling up in front of the house and parking at the curb. “It’s Detective Riley. I wonder what he’s doing here so early.”
Nola jerked her chin in Jayne’s direction. “I could guess. But she definitely needs some coaching. I overheard her yesterday on the phone talking with him, and I think she actually complimented him on his use of toothpaste and the fact that he had two legs. I mean, who says that stuff to anyone, much less an attractive member of the opposite sex?”
Realizing that her question was most likely rhetorical, I didn’t bother to respond that I actually knew someone besides Jayne who was equally as awkward. But the person I had in mind was married now, so it didn’t matter.
Alston’s mother pulled up next to Thomas with a wave, and with a quick peck on my cheek, Nola ran to the van, waving to Jayne and Thomas as they pulled away.
“Just the two people I needed to see,” Thomas said as he and I approached Jayne and the stroller. “I know it’s early, but I hoped to catch you before you got into the workday.”
He eyed Jayne appreciatively and I watched as her cheeks turned a bright red. “Good morning, Thomas,” she said. “I have two children. Here. To run. I mean, they’re not mine. But . . .” She closed her eyes as if mentally scolding her tongue. “Good morning,” she said again, then forcibly shut her mouth. Nola was right. It was painful to witness.
It was clear that Thomas was struggling not to laugh. To hide it he squatted down in front of the jogging stroller so he could be eye level with the children, the way somebody used to small children would do. I knew Thomas was a favorite uncle to a gaggle of nieces and nephews, so it didn’t surprise me. He reached over with his thumb and rubbed Sarah’s cheek. “Looks like Mommy’s already kissed you good-bye.”
I was already digging in my purse for the pack of emergency tissues I always carried. “I thought I’d wiped it off.”
“No need,” he said. “I got it all with my thumb. You must not have been wearing your glasses.” He’d said it lightly, but his words stung. I was already feeling old and dowdy next to Jayne, and I didn’t need him to highlight that I was quickly headed toward bifocals and a cane.
I looked pointedly at my watch. “I really need to get to work.”
He straightened. “Yes, sorry. A couple of things I thought both of you would be interested in. First, I went back to South Battery and really gave a good look around the perimeter to see whether there might be a hidden access point to the house where the cat could be getting inside, but no luck. I’ll keep looking.”
Jayne had begun to stretch, her forehead pressed against her knees, and Thomas’s voice faltered for a moment. I wanted to point out that the only reason she could do that was that she hadn’t given birth to two babies.
Refocusing, Thomas said, “And the phone number that had been assigned to the landline at the house is definitely disconnected. It must have been a crossed line coming from another phone, because that’s the only thing we could think of that would make sense. Not that crossed lines really happen anymore, either, but that’s as good a guess as we could make.” His gaze rested briefly on mine. “Just let me know if it happens again. The good news is that it doesn’t appear as if an intruder has been in the house. Still, you need an alarm system not just for your own safety, but also to protect all the valuables in the house. I have a contact in the business who can get you a good deal. If you like, I can set up an appointment for you. I’ll even be there with you if you want me to be. Not because I don’t trust him to give you a fair deal, but because I know you don’t like being alone in that house.”
“Yes,” Jayne said, nodding vigorously. “The house. It has a cat.”
I nudged her with my foot. I was beginning to worry that the children would never learn how to carry on regular conversations if this was what they heard all day. I made a mental note to make sure Jack, Nola, and I had lots of normal conversations in the twins’ hearing so they would know how nonawkward people spoke.
“Thank you. That would be nice,” she said before clamping her mouth shut and sending me a grateful grin.
Thomas continued. “I thought maybe we could use that time to also check the inventory you received from your lawyers just to make sure nothing is missing, and then possibly have dinner together.”
He’d said it with a casual tone, but I could tell he was holding his breath, anticipating her answer.