her. “I’ll be there for you every step of the way. Are you ready to get settled for the night? Because Paloma’s house is just around the corner.”
“Sure.”
Gemma drove down the alleyway, then stopped at the rear of Paloma’s Mediterranean-style bungalow. She used the patio door at the back of the residence to usher her friend inside. Rapping on the glass got the attention of Dinkums, Paloma’s West Highland terrier. Gemma reached down and scooped the little dog into her arms. But her goal at the moment was to make Lianne feel at home.
“You settle in here. When it gets dark, I’ll run by Farley’s later to retrieve your suitcase and bring it by. In the meantime, Paloma has everything you need to relax for a bit, drink a glass of wine, and chill before dinner. Get your mind off what happened.”
“I’m happy for the company,” Paloma uttered. “We’ve all suffered the loss of loved ones. Breakups are hard. But you’ll get through this.”
Lianne smiled. “Thank you for having me. I’m sorry to impose like this.”
“Nonsense,” Paloma spat out. The elderly woman might need a cane to get around, but she hadn’t lost her quick wit. “Since when does a friend dropping in equate to an imposition. The day that happens is the day they stick me in the ground. And I’m not ready to go just yet.”
“Thank goodness for that. She’s definitely as much a live wire today as she was twenty years ago,” Gemma concurred, running a hand through Dinkum’s thick coat. “Is there anything you need right now? I could run to the supermarket and pick up groceries.”
Paloma shook her head. “I ordered food yesterday, and Two Sisters’ delivered it within an hour. Say what you will about Dinah and Dharma, but those two women know a thing or two about running a grocery store and getting orders out on time. I think Lianne and I will be just fine. No need to worry about us.”
“Didn’t you tell her about Kirk Ritter?” Lianne asked. “I should just go. I don’t want to put anyone else at risk.”
Paloma tapped her cane on the floor. “Of course, Gemma told me about that lowlife. He tries to come around here, though, and we’ll give him what for, won’t we?”
Gemma wrapped a free arm around Paloma’s shoulders. “The grand dame has spoken. And just so you know, I tell this woman everything, so no holding back on any level. It seems Kirk Ritter doesn’t scare her one bit.”
“Maybe it should,” Lianne cautioned. “Are you sure you want me here? Because I could just as easily stay at Collette’s house.”
“Are you prepared to fight back if this scumbag comes calling in the middle of the night?” Paloma asked. “Because I am.”
That made Lianne smile again. “Sure. I’ll sleep with one eye open if I have to.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Gemma assured them. “Lando has promised he’ll have Payce keep an eye on the place until this Ritter guy is in custody. They’re all working double shifts.”
Gemma pivoted toward her grandmother. “Which reminds me, did Ben Zurcher ever mention that he was looking into the Copeland murders?”
Paloma’s mouth wrinkled in a frown. “Why would he do that? Ben retired ages ago. What’s the former postmaster doing investigating murders like that? Are you saying before someone shot him Sunday night, he was carrying on his own investigation?”
“I shouldn’t say any more than that,” Gemma advised as she tried to change the subject. “So if you ladies are set, I’ll get on the road. If you need anything, let me know.” She put Dinkums down on the floor before turning to Lianne. “I’ll get your suitcase here by nine-fifteen. Farley says he’ll meet me at the garage at around eight-forty-five. I’ll text you when I’m pulling up in the driveway out front, so you’ll know it’s me coming to the door. Don’t let anyone else in unless, you know, it’s Van or Nova.”
“Van and Nova took the kids camping,” Paloma snapped. “They won’t be coming here unannounced. You tell Lando for me to do his job and find this guy. We’ll sleep better with him off the streets.”
Gemma hugged her grandmother harder. “Yes, ma’am. I’m on my way to meet Lando now.”
Luke sat alone in a back booth inside Captain Jack’s, nursing a beer.
The restaurant had been in his family for decades. Just like his dad had done when he was alive, his mother had worked her butt off over the years to make sure