‘I should go to Ireland someday. Maybe I’ll buy the book and plan my escape.’” I pointed to the memoirs. “Those readers are going to actually come looking for the book. Less of an impulse buy.”
“Good point.” He went over and picked out a few of the books. “Did you see what I bought for the event? I hope most of it sells or we’ll be sending a ton back to the publisher.”
“I think we’ll sell a lot this weekend. People are curious about their holidays.” I initialed the plan, a step my aunt had implemented a few years ago so she knew someone besides the part-time employee planning the event had looked at it. I think she just wanted to control things, even when she didn’t care about what was really happening. “Why would this investigation be different?”
“You don’t want anything to happen to Esmeralda. My mom’s torn up about this too. You probably know she spent the night over there. She didn’t even tell me what I could do in the house or who I could invite over. She just packed an overnight bag and left. I think she’s staying tonight too. She said Esmeralda is hurting.” Deek repacked a box, then started a new stack of extras so they would be easy to find on festival day.
“What do you know about this Nic guy that Esmeralda is seeing? Is he reliable?”
Deek laughed. “From the stories my mom tells about when they all ran together, hell no. But they have a code. They protect one another.”
“Might he lie for her?”
My question shocked Deek for a second, but he gave it some time before he answered. “To Greg? Might, yes. They don’t have a real connection or love of law enforcement. But would he? I don’t think so. Again, they have this honor thing going on. If Nic says he was with Esmeralda the night that lady was killed, he was there. I’d bet my life on it. Besides, he wouldn’t want to do anything to get Esmeralda in trouble. If Nic even thought Esmeralda could be guilty, she’d already be set up in a new home on some tropical island.”
I trusted my barista, but sometimes adults didn’t tell the kids everything. “I am worried about Esmeralda. The town has turned on her. And there aren’t a lot of clues pointing to the person who actually killed Nan.”
He went back to the boxes for more books and laid them out on the table. Setting them up to show me the books he’d chosen. He paused, looking at me thoughtfully. “In books they always tell you to follow the money. Maybe it will work in real life too?”
* * * *
I made a folder with all the plans for Saturday and put it near the cash register for Aunt Jackie’s review. I’d say something trite like she wasn’t the boss of me, but we all knew it wasn’t true. My aunt ruled her life and the lives of her subjects with an iron hand. The only sign of relief was that now she had Harrold. He kept her too busy to meddle too much in my life. On the other hand, I kind of missed her. I made a mental note to invite her over for dinner once this investigation was over and Greg had his life back.
I stopped at Diamond Lille’s for a salad, but instead of eating in, I took it to go. Then I went and got Emma and filled a tote with my lunch, waters, a soda, and a book. I was going to go sit on the beach with my dog and eat. Then I’d spend the rest of the time reading. No running today. Our afternoon was going to be pure relaxation.
As we walked toward the picnic tables the town had set up near the parking area, I realized Esmeralda and Rory were walking toward me. Arm in arm like old friends, they were laughing. Their hair was blowing in the wind. The scene would have been a perfect picture. I paused before turning to the picnic area and waited for them to approach. Emma sat by my leg, her tail wagging and throwing sand. I’d worn capris that day, so the sand was stinging my leg as it hit. My dog has a strong wag.
“Jill, what a lovely surprise. It’s a great day to spend your afternoon on the beach. Not too hot, not too cold.” Esmeralda glanced around the empty beach. “Goldilocks