Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
“Seriously?” I say into the wind as I pull the paper from the wiper. Turning it over in my hand, I see that it’s not a parking ticket but a folded piece of white paper. On the front, written in handwriting, is a note that reads: Overnight parking is prohibited.
I look around to see if anyone is watching. Next, I unfold the sheet of white paper.
Jillian,
Parking is fine. Just want to make sure you’re all right.
Come inside for a minute.
Theo
A wave of relief flows through me, immediately followed by a bit of agitation.
I stare over at the front door of the tavern.
After last night, I don’t know if I should show my face inside, but in my hand, I have a written invitation.
Also, the time of day is my friend. The drinking crowd, those who might have been there last night, shouldn’t arrive for at least a few more hours.
Shaking off the annoyance at Theo’s choice of communication, I head toward the entrance, enter the screen door, pull the solid door outward, and step inside.
As before, I’m greeted with the offensive odor of stale smoke, but just as quickly it fades.
Lifting my sunglasses to the top of my head, I let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting, stark in contrast to the sunshine.
The twang of something a little too country fills the air with a tune about trucks, trains, and momma.
Standing near the entrance, I scan the large room.
As I suspected, this time of day, patrons are sparse.
There are a few stragglers scattered on barstools and two tables with older gentlemen and tall beers.
It’s the time of day to prepare for the night ahead as shown by a dark-haired waitress filling salt and pepper shakers and a blond one filling napkin dispensers and checking condiments.
The sound of billiard balls colliding beckons my attention. The boys around the pool table remind me of the ones playing football at the park. It could be them. It’s after four in the afternoon and the high school dismissed over an hour ago.
One of the young men looks up and nods. I immediately recognize him as Austin, Julie’s ex. The recognition comes more from my search of Julie’s pictures than from any personal introduction. It’s then that I spot Theo, seated at one of the booths, with a stack of papers and a laptop in front of him.
Walking over to him, I place the note on the table. “Thanks for the scare. I thought I got a ticket.”
A grin creeps across his face. “What bar would prohibit overnight parking? I’d rather have a parking lot full of cars than dead or arrested patrons.”
I tilt my head. “I’m fine, Theo. Thanks for checking.”
“Hey, that’s what friends do.”
“Are we friends? Last night, I got the impression you were telling me to get out of Blue Gil, that I wasn’t wanted.”
“Jillian, this is your hometown. You belong. It’s Coach’s brother who needs to go.”
I step up and take the seat across from Theo. “You know, it’s amazing that Blue Gil gets so many outsiders in the summer—with all your welcoming personalities.”
Theo shakes his head. “That guy is different, and you’re right, the seasonal outsiders are coming soon. It would be better if they didn’t see him snooping around.”
Make it all disappear.
Keith’s assessment of Sheriff Manes’s intent comes back. Instead of saying that, I say, “Honestly, Theo, he seems nice.”
As Theo responds, I decide that he doesn’t believe in combs.
His wavy brown hair seems to remain in a permanent state of disarray, whether at an early-in-the-day, town-wide search or here at his business.
Theo’s blue eyes narrow my direction. “I’d ask how nice he is, but it’s none of my business, and after last night, I assume that if I had a shot in hell, you would have ended up with me. Since I woke alone...”
I woke alone too, but it’s none of Theo Morton’s or anyone else’s business. I shake my head. “God, this town is unbeliev—”
“Jillian” —my name is elongated— “can I get you anything?” a dark-haired waitress interrupts.
There’s something about the way she said my name and her stance, as if she’s offended by my presence.
When I turn, I take a closer look. The woman before us is of average height and weight, with an unflattering shade of dark lipstick.
Maybe it’s average for Blue Gil. It’s then I realize I know her. “Candace?”
Candace Jennings, or at least it was Jennings, is the same age and grade as Becky and me. Though we didn’t hang out in the same circles, I remember her as someone who was born and raised, and apparently stayed, right here.
She hasn’t changed that much. Hell, she might have waited tables here back in high school too. You don’t have to be twenty-one to wait tables, only to serve alcohol. “Gosh,” I say, “how are you doing?”
She stands straighter. “Good. I married Buck Stevens.” She wrinkles her nose. “He’s a piece of shit, and I kicked his ass to the curb. But we have two beautiful boys.”
Make that Candace Stevens.
“Oh.”
If I recall, Buck and Hank were good friends when we were younger.
Up until yesterday morning, I would have given the same description of Hank—a piece of shit.
Right now, I’m more interested in not continuing this conversation.
In the grand scheme of life, I don’t care to learn more about her children or her failed marriage.
“How’s life out in California?” she asks, “You know, I was going to talk to you last night, but I didn’t get the chance.” Candace shifts her feet on the concrete floor before looking up at Theo and smugly back to me. “You were busy.”
The small hairs on my arms stand to attention as I glance between the two of them. Theo’s attention focused on his laptop, but clearly, Candace has an interest in him. It doesn’t take a psychic to sense that after last night, she sees me as a threat.
I’m not.
If she wants Theo, I’m the least of her concerns.
Instead of going down that road, I reply, “Yeah, it’s been a rough few days with Julie and Marty.”
My response makes a direct hit as Candace’s smile fades. “I’m real sorry about what happened to those girls.” She reaches for a small pad of paper from the front pocket of a black apron. “What can I get you?”
“Nothing, I’m not staying.”
Theo lifts his chin, not so discreetly telling Candace to leave.
Once we’re alone, our conversation resumes. “Jillian, I’m sorry if you thought that comment was directed at you. As I said, it wasn’t. Just be careful of Keith Gilbert. I don’t want anyone else hurt.”
“She likes you,” I say with a grin.
“Who?” He looks around. “Candace?”
My lips come together as I nod.
“She works for me and...” He shrugs his shoulder. “As I was saying, just be careful.”
We’re back to the topic of Keith Gilbert. “You know he’s a policeman?”
“I do. I also know that Coach’s wife told people that he’s trouble—black sheep of the family. He had some issues in the merchant marine before becoming a cop. Sounds like he’s dirty. He wanted to stay at her house, and she refused. Word is that she doesn’t want him around Joey.”
“She said that to you?”
“No, but I hear things. You should have seen him at the funeral. He couldn’t wait to get away from Coach’s family.”
Liv said something to that same effect.
“And why is he still here?” Theo asks.
“I think he wants answers.”
“To what? He’s digging around where nothing is buried.
And word is that he was at the party Saturday night.
A cop partying with kids, drinking and using, should be reported to his commanding officer.
Jillian” —Theo leans forward— “it makes sense that he could be the one who hurt Julie and killed Marty.”
Some whoops and hollers ring above the music, coming from the pool table. With my back to them, I’m unsure and uninterested in the uproar.
I stare at Theo. Everything inside me says that he’s wrong about Keith, and whoever else is saying these things is also wrong. “Why are people saying that?”
“Everyone thinks the sick dude who hurt the girls is an outsider.” Theo lowers his voice. “No one from Blue Gil would do anything that terrible.”
“You serve these people alcohol,” I remind him. “You really think that no one is capable?”
“Did you know that there was a woman murdered last year in Marquette?”
Goose bumps prickle my arms and legs. “I didn’t, but crime happens everywhere.”
“Look it up. Isn’t that what you do?”
“Fine, I will. Keith is a detective in Marquette.”
“Yeah, he worked the case. The woman was found strangled and sexually assaulted.”
“Our world is a terrible place.”
“With an object.”
The words twist my stomach. To my knowledge, that information hadn’t been shared. “Really?”
“The case is still open,” Theo says matter-of-factly. “Like I said, Gilbert was one of the detectives on the case. I mean, he wouldn’t arrest himself, would he?”
I shake my head. “Fine, I’ll look into it. I’ll also be careful, but why would Keith come to his brother’s funeral and kill one girl and hurt another one?”
“I don’t know why sick fucks do whatever they do.” He leans back and crosses his arms over his wide chest. “Someone told Candace that they saw Keith here before Coach died. What if he did that too?”
My neck snaps straight. “Do you think the coach was murdered?”
“No. Maybe. But if he was, it wasn’t by anyone here. Hell, we all liked him. More than that, we loved what he did with the football program.” Theo shakes his head. “Damn shame. He was making Blue Gil a real powerhouse, putting us on the map.”
“Yeah, he was a real knight in shining armor.”
“Listen, I remember the rumors about you and him, but no one proved it. You’re pretty and girls are jealous. People tried to talk about Syd too. Bitches like to talk.”
“You didn’t believe the rumors about me, yet you’re listening to rumors about Keith Gilbert?”
“I know you. No one knows him.”
Exhaling, I scoot out of the booth. “Thanks for the concern, Theo. I’m safe. I promise.”
“Hey, some unsolicited advice, don’t stay out there at Iverson’s. Stay in town with your folks until he’s gone.”
I feign a smile. “I’ll think about that.” I won’t, but I don’t want to share too much dirty laundry in the town’s hotbed for rumors.
Nodding goodbye, I head for the door. The sunlight causes me to squint as I lower my sunglasses over my eyes. It’s as I get close to my car that I hear my name.
“Jillian, can I talk to you?”
I turn back.
“Austin?”