Chapter 6
Thursday was filled with already-planned family fun and frivolity.
We were heading into Santa Barbara to go to the zoo and the beach, then we planned to have lunch at Amanda’s and Beth’s favorite Mexican restaurant.
Amanda had fallen in love with the food when she visited Greg and Sherry, the first Mrs. King.
Greg wasn’t going to be able to go with us, so he called his brother and asked him to bring the family to Diamond Lille’s for breakfast.
Greg was still at home when I got dressed, so I hurried down to have coffee with him and wait for the rest of the family to arrive.
“Good morning, dear wife. Sorry I’ve been absent so much.” He held out a cup of coffee for me as I came down the stairs. “How did you sleep?”
“Who are you and what did you do with Greg?” I took the cup and had a long sip.
Even though I worked the morning shift, it took a while for me to wake up and converse with anyone.
It worked at the coffee shop since my early customers were usually a lot like me and just wanted some java to sip on while they drove into the city for work.
I looked around for my dog. “Where’s Emma? ”
“Outside patrolling the yard. She’s convinced a rabbit has been getting in somewhere. How was the book club?”
We sat at the table to talk. “Weird.” I told him about Dom and Gunter attending.
“I don’t understand what game he’s playing here.” Greg looked thoughtful as he sipped his coffee.
“Could he just want to go clean or whatever you call it? Maybe he’s planning on marrying Lille and having little motorcycle-riding babies.” I grinned at the image my words brought to mind.
Greg snorted and coffee went everywhere. He got up and got a dishrag to clean up the table. “That’s a picture, that’s all I can say. Anyway, he’s right. He’s on my suspect list, but no one’s the top contender right now. Unless you count Chris.”
It was my turn to choke on the coffee I’d just swallowed. “His ex-wife? Why on earth would you even look at that sweet woman?”
“It’s usually the spouse. No one can drive you to homicide quicker than someone you love.” He stood and refilled his cup. “Okay, so what else do you want to talk about that’s not the murder?”
“Beth and Jim?”
Greg groaned as he refilled my cup. “Another lost cause. My brother is an idiot if he lets his pride get in the way of marrying that girl. I think she’s the only one stupid enough to do it.”
“Beth is far from stupid,” I countered.
“If she still wants to marry my brother after his whole list of demands, I question that statement.” He looked out the window. “And that subject is over because they’re here. Did you take Toby off the bookstore work schedule?”
“No, but I need to. He doesn’t have a shift until this weekend, but I’m thinking I won’t get him back that quickly. Right?”
“I don’t think he’ll be back for at least another week. If not longer. Can you just slot him in when the murder is solved?” Greg looked out the window at the rental. “They’re not getting out of the car. Why do I think the fight has already begun this morning?”
“Because you’re a genius. Go open the door and wave. Maybe that will stop it.” I finished my coffee and rinsed the cup. Emma was at the screen, waiting to be let inside. “You can’t go with us. We’re going to Diamond Lille’s and you know she hates everyone. Especially dogs.”
Greg chuckled. “You’re going to give her a complex about Lille.”
“Exactly my plan. She seemed a little chummy with my dog on Thanksgiving.” I glanced at my watch for the weather. “I don’t think I need a jacket, do you?”
“Changing the subject won’t help you.” He threw me my light jacket. “If you don’t take it, you’ll complain. Come on, it’s time to hang with the family. I know you’re on the hook all day with them and I appreciate you taking the time.”
“It was supposed to be us, but I get it. You didn’t kill Chip. So who do I blame for this?” I locked the kitchen door and headed out to meet the gang on the porch. Emma followed and I had to tell her she wasn’t going with us. Again. Somehow, dogs have short memories.
At the diner, Carrie waved us over to her section. “Greg, I’ve got a bone to pick with you. Tell me you didn’t question Dominic. Lille is going crazy. And when Lille’s not happy, no one’s happy.”
“Sorry, but everyone who was at the bar after midnight is getting questioned. You and Doc went home before that, right after you got kicked out of the tournament. As did a lot of people.” Greg sat down and opened the menu. “Can you bring us all coffee and orange juice?”
“And I’ve been dismissed.” Carrie smiled at me. “Is your husband ordering for you?”
“I’ll let him order the drinks.” I glanced at the other three, who nodded. “Thanks, Carrie.”
After she left the table, Greg groaned and set down the menu.
“Sorry. I’ll apologize to Carrie. Everyone just wants to know what happened to Chip but no one wants to talk about where they were that night.
I’m just trying to eliminate suspects as quickly as possible.
Instead, people are thinking I’m ready to throw anyone I talk to in the clink. ”
“I don’t think anyone calls it the clink anymore, dear.” Amanda patted Greg’s shoulder. “They know you’re doing the best you can.”
“I hope so.” Greg hugged his mother. “I’m glad you came for Thanksgiving. I know it was a long trip for you.”
“We don’t have jobs where they could call us back at any time.” Beth studied her menu. “And besides, beach.”
“I think that’s the answer to any question,” I teased. “Beach time always wins.”
We got through breakfast without anyone else grilling Greg on what was happening with the investigation, including me. Beth and Jim had seemed to come to some sort of detente for now. As we walked back to the house, Beth pulled me aside.
“I have a favor to ask.” Beth lowered her voice and slowed her pace. “Can I stay at your place for a couple of weeks?”
“Sure!” I loved hanging out with my soon-to-be sister-in-law. “When do you want to come back?”
“I’m not going home to Nebraska tomorrow.
I need a week or so to make some decisions.
Jim’s doing the same. We’ve decided to take some time apart to figure out what’s important.
I need to get my application in for the teaching assistantship before the fifteenth, so I’ll be at the library or tucked in the guest room writing most of the time.
” Beth didn’t look at me while she was talking. Instead, she stared at Jim’s back.
“Not a problem. In fact, you’ll probably be doing me a favor since I won’t be alone and getting myself into trouble while Greg’s working on this investigation.” I hugged her. “I hate why you’re visiting, but I love having you.”
Beth smiled at me. “You may feel differently in a week.”
“No way that’s happening.” I nodded toward Greg. “I take it that’s what the family is talking about up there.”
“Amanda’s not happy with Jim,” Beth pointed out. “We’ll be fine. I feel it. God wouldn’t have brought the guy into my life just for my passion to be the reason we can’t be together.”
I wasn’t quite sure that was the way things worked, but this was between Jim and Beth.
I was just happy that she was going to be hanging out for a few more weeks.
Especially since Greg sometimes got touchy about me running with Emma alone during investigations.
Now, I’d have a partner in crime. So to speak.
“The guest room’s all ready for you. I have to work tomorrow morning, but I’ll be at the house until six.” I smiled. “Emma will love having someone home while I’m gone.”
“I’m riding to the airport with them and then bringing back the rental.
We extended it so I’d have something to drive here.
I’ll park the car at your house and walk up to the bookstore if I get here before you get home from your shift.
I can’t tell you how much this means to me.
” She paused, then changed her wording. “To us.”
Back home, Greg pulled me aside before he walked back into town and the station. “You’re okay with Beth staying around?”
“I’m ecstatic about it. Having her here while you’re busy will be fun. She’s not as high maintenance as your mom.” I laughed at the surprised look on his face. “All I meant was Beth has things to keep her busy. Your mom likes to play tourist and that’s not as fun alone.”
He kissed me. “I get that. Just don’t say it in front of Mom. Have a fun day. Jim’s promised to be on his best behavior. My prediction is he’ll be begging her to come home with any conditions in less than a week.”
I shrugged. “You King boys can be stubborn.”
He laughed as he stepped off the front porch where we’d been talking. “You know it. See you soon, wife.”
“See you soon, husband.” I watched as he jogged up the hill and back into town. As he left, I said a prayer for his safety. I’d always thought it, but since we’d been married, it was something I spoke out of habit when he went to work. Just in case.
I stepped into the house, where the group was sitting at the table. “Where are we heading today, family?”
* * *
Luckily the day turned out nice. At least with the weather.
Being the end of November, we never knew if we were going to get rain, but Amanda and Jim had a sunny day to send them back to Nebraska.
Since Beth was staying, I didn’t see the wistfulness in her like I usually did when she walked the beach.
“You know even when you go back, you can still come and visit any time. Call it writing time.”
Beth laughed as she picked up a shell to examine before throwing it back. “It’s my happy place. If this offer from Omaha wasn’t so good, I’d be hitting up colleges out here for my PhD work. I can’t believe you get any work done with this just down the hill. I’d be hanging out here all day.”