“Something’s up with her, and I can’t quite figure out what it is. It’s not just the vitiligo, I don’t think. Although I know it bothers her a lot. Always has.”
“Hmm. Tell me more.”
I got the sense that he really wanted to lend an ear, and that he wasn’t prying just to be nosy or to try to get laid.
“Usually my sister and I are on the same wavelength. We’re twins. We can’t read each other’s minds, but we’re attuned to each other’s moods. But since I’ve gotten home, she’s been secretive. Evasive. It’s so weird. And now with this Gene situation, I don’t know what to think.” I picked a chocolate curl off the top of my cupcake. “I don’t believe she killed Gene.”
“Of course she didn’t. I don’t think your sister has a mean bone in her body.”
“I wish I could prove that to Alex Holt. Maybe if she wasn’t a suspect in a murder investigation, she’d calm down and tell me what’s really going on.”
Jack licked his lips, and I swear there was a glint in his near-black eyes. “Well, we could do one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“We could do a little investigating ourselves.”
“Hunh?”
“You’ve already talked with the guy at the country club. That’s a start.”
I sipped my wine and pondered this for a moment. “You know...” I tapped my finger on the table. “Amos from the country club told me that an animal rights activist had gotten in some sort of fight with Gene. He texted me the guy’s name a couple of hours ago and told me where he lives.”
“We could start there tomorrow.”
“We?”
Jack grinned. “Me and you. I have a criminology background. And you’re curious. It’s a match made in heaven.”
I got the sense that this was an entertaining challenge for Jack, or a diversion. Like a particularly interesting television show. Which was a little strange, but since it was Florida, I was used to odd characters with unusual hobbies.
Or maybe he really did have pants feelings for me. Well, the feeling was mutual, since he was a smoke show. But I wasn’t going to act on the many depraved thoughts I’d entertained over dinner.
I knew he had the potential to be helpful with something other than sex.
For me, this was about clearing my sister’s name, and making sure our new businesses weren’t failures even before they started.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, I made a pot of French press coffee for me and Vera.
She was supposed to be the adult today. Because she knew everyone in town and I’d been gone for years, we’d decided she’d be the one to attend a special weekend edition of the monthly chamber of commerce breakfast at nine. And here it was, a quarter to. Being the punctual one, the mere thought of her leaving so late made my palms all itchy. I poured her favorite Snickers creamer and two sugars into a travel mug in an attempt to subtly push her out the door.
Catsy was up and eager, weaving her little body around my legs, hoping for another dollop of kitty pâté. I’d recently taken to buying a branded “breakfast” cat food, which always made me crack up. As if cats knew it was breakfast time. Although it seemed that Catsy did, since she was meowing for more. Second breakfast had become a thing.
Vera bounced into the kitchen, wearing a yellow sundress, white sandals, and a smile. She looked a thousand times better than last night, and I was glad she’d gotten a good night’s sleep.
“Did you feed her?” She pointed at Catsy.
“Of course I did. You look super cute today.” I inspected her book-themed enamel earrings.
“Thanks! Why are you up so early?” she asked. Apparently, she wasn’t angry at me anymore, or if she was, she was hiding it well.
I yawned and stretched. “Want to get a jump on the day.”
“What have you got planned?”
“I want to hit Target for some new sheets. You need anything? I also might look at some apartments.” It was all a lie.