Chapter 14 #2
“He’s just freaking out about this first release.
He wants everything to be perfect. With Beth here this week, she can fill in for Toby and maybe I’ll have someone hired later today.
Evie is sending a couple of friends over to interview.
Judith is working the afternoon shift and has sent me her free days to add her to the schedule.
” I stood and grabbed two cookies out of the jar that Beth had filled with the cookies she’d baked yesterday morning.
I put one on a napkin and handed it to Greg.
“Be sure to tell Jim that if he doesn’t get his act together, I’m more than willing to find room for Beth here.
She’d have to talk Bakerstown University into giving her the same deal Omaha is giving her, but I bet there would be somewhere close that would match or exceed what they’re offering.
And I’d have a part-time barista and partner in crime. ”
“You mean that figuratively, right? The partner in crime thing. Because if the two of you are investigating my case, I’ll put her on the plane to Nebraska today.” Greg took a bite of the cookie. “Well, maybe I’ll put an ankle monitor on one of you and keep Beth around. These cookies are amazing.”
“I know!”
Footsteps on the stairs made us look up. Beth was standing there laughing at us. “I love both of you so much, but I’ve got to go back. At least by January. Maybe if Jim freezes a little, his heart will warm up and grow.”
“Like that Christmas cartoon. But I don’t think the green monster froze. I think he was overcome by love.” I held up what was left of the cookie. “Like I am for your baking. You could work with Sadie here too. It’s not just the bookstore, but I’d have to fight her for you.”
Beth came and filled a cup of coffee and refilled both Greg’s and mine. “I’d love to stay another week and talk to Dom more about his sister, but I think Jim would explode and that would make Amanda sad.”
“What about Dom’s sister?” Greg asked, keeping his tone bland.
“She was killed by a cult because they wouldn’t let her eat.
She was diabetic. So she went off her medications as an act of faith, in their words, and they started starving her.
They told her that God would save her if she was worthy.
” Beth pulled another cookie out of the bin.
“My God knows I’m his child, so how couldn’t I be worthy! ”
“You have an excellent take on the whole idea of self-confidence.” I loved having Beth around. She was always positive.
“I didn’t realize Dom’s sister was in a cult. Who told you that?” Greg was being nonchalant, but I could tell he was curious. “And when did it happen?”
“Dom told me. He walked me home last night from the book club but I think he first mentioned it while we were having dinner and he stopped by our table. I’m always interested in the firsthand family stories around cults.
They tell you a lot more than the written accounts do.
It must have been twenty years ago now, don’t you think, Jill?
I was planning on running to the library to see if I could find some information before I meet with Sadie this afternoon.
Then I’m helping Deek with the evening shift. So I’ll be home late, Dad.”
I snickered as Greg shook his head and added, “I swear, you two are going to give me a heart attack.”
“Dom said he was in high school. I got the impression she was a little older, but not much. He’s changing up the bar he runs into a bar and grill.
I guess Lille’s been helping him with the menu and stuff.
” I wanted to change the subject. As I talked, I didn’t meet Greg’s eyes.
I might not have been investigating, but I’d found out a lot about one of his prime suspects.
And my observations were making Dom look less and less guilty.
Then there was the thing about Dom walking Beth home.
I lowered my voice. “I told you that Jim needs to get his act together.”
Beth laughed just as she took a sip of coffee.
She set the cup down and grabbed a dish towel to wipe the coffee off the table.
“Please don’t think I’m interested that way in Dom.
He’s a subject matter expert. Nothing more.
If Jim and I don’t work, I may never date again.
I’m finding that I don’t like people telling me what I can and can’t do. ”
“And on that note, I’m heading to work. Thanks for the cookies, Beth. Be careful walking home tonight. If you want an escort, stop by the station and I or one of the guys will be glad to walk you home. Like I have to tell my dear wife often, a murderer is running loose, so be vigilant.”
“You just tell me not to take Emma running and Toby comes to walk me home,” I corrected his wording.
“I haven’t done either one this time, have I? But I kind of expected you’d have company last night.” He looked pointedly at Beth. “I won’t tell you what to do, but if anything happened to you on my watch, Jim would never forgive me. So please, be careful.”
We watched as Greg left the house. Emma stood and walked him to the door. I called her back to the kitchen and rubbed her head. “You’re going to be on your own today, girl, until I get back from work.”
Beth sipped her coffee. “I’m going to miss all of you when I go home. It’s stupid that we live so far apart. Maybe after I graduate, we can convince Amanda to move down here. Once I have my degree, nothing is tying Jim and me to Nebraska except his mom.”
I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but I sent an invisible positivity bubble up in the air to the granter of impossible dreams. As I stood to go to work, I said, “That would be amazing.”
As I was walking out to the sidewalk, a voice called, “Wait up.”
I turned and saw Esmeralda crossing the street. “You’re going in early.”
“Greg has a meeting with the Bakerstown chief and the county district attorney. I want to make sure everything’s set and keep him from having to dispatch until nine when Toby comes in.
I have a feeling it’s going to be a busy morning.
” She pulled a woolen shawl around her shoulders.
Its red color contrasted nicely with her blue pants and dress shirt.
I didn’t respond right away, but then I asked, “You have a feeling? Or the spirits told you?”
Esmeralda paused at the entrance to Diamond Lille’s, where she was probably picking up food for Greg’s meeting. “Is there a difference? Be careful today, Jill.”
As I walked the rest of the way into town, I realized that both Greg and Esmeralda had ended conversations this morning the same way. Be careful.
I looked around before crossing the street. The dark empty windows of Chip’s Bar gave me a chill.
Be careful.
I unlocked the door to the bookstore and turned on all the lights, letting the smell of coffee and sugar chase the scaries away. Time to focus on work and not killers.