weather.”
Rory laughed at the reference. “You’re spot-on. Jill, I’m not sure if you remember me; I’m Deek’s mom.”
“Of course. Deek speaks highly of you.” I kept a tight grip on Emma’s leash as a flock of seagulls landed right on the shoreline. Emma didn’t like birds hanging out on her beach.
The easy laugh came again and I thought I could be friends with this woman. “He should. I’ve been supporting his education habit for too many years now. But finally I believe he’s found his path.”
“As long as he lets it go when it’s done,” Esmeralda warned. “The muse doesn’t like for a story to sit and bubble too long. It needs to be out in the world, helping others.”
“Esmeralda, I truly think this is his calling. I did a reading for him yesterday. Of course he doesn’t think it’s anything but a mothers’ interference or wishful thinking, but the cards are supporting him being successful in his life plan.” Rory stared at the crashing waves, seeming to be thinking of either Deek’s future or her last reading.
“All I’m saying is, he needs to be prepared to actually work and act on his dreams.” Esmeralda hugged her friend. “You’re not the only one who is invested in Deek’s future. I’ve been running tarot spreads on him since he was born.”
“I know. You’re a good godmother.”
The conversation had gone from normal to odd in just a few minutes. I decided to use my lunch as an excuse to exit it. “Well, it was nice to see you both.”
“Jill, I wanted to thank you for your support these last few weeks. It means a lot that even though you don’t agree with my gifts—or your own, for that matter—that you’re willing to back me when I fall into trouble.”
“No worries. I know you didn’t kill Nan. Even if you didn’t have an alibi, it’s just not in your DNA.”
She studied me closely. “I’m not sure that’s exactly true. I’m not an angel, Jill. I’ve done some bad stuff in my life.”
“When you were a kid and under a bad influence.” Rory patted her arm. “You need to forgive yourself for those actions. You weren’t responsible.”
“Even as a kid I knew right from wrong. That’s why I left the family. Why I moved out here. I needed a clean break. I would have gone farther west, but I don’t walk on water.” Esmeralda glanced out over the ocean. “Maybe someday I’ll go even farther. Hiding away so the past doesn’t come back to bite me.”
I didn’t know her past except she’d been a foster kid and adopted by a wealthy and influential New Orleans family. The family who taught her how to read cards and people. I suspected there was a little bit of grift in her new family tree, but I’d never worried about Esmeralda. I trusted her. She had a key to my house. I just hoped some rabid prosecutor wouldn’t find the mistakes of her past and use her childhood against her. “I’ve always heard you can’t run from your problems because everywhere you go, you’re still there.”
“Very true.” Rory turned to me and studied me closely. “You’re not just Deek’s boss, you’re also Esmeralda’s neighbor, right? The one who lives with the cop?”
“That’s me, Jill Gardner.”
“Oh, is my face red. I didn’t put the two names together until now. I used to live in the city, so having two Jills in your life wouldn’t have even been an issue.” Rory glanced at Esmeralda and something passed between them.
Something I was pretty sure was about me. I didn’t push. Sometimes I just didn’t want to know what others thought of me. It kept my spirits up. “Well, I’d really better get started on my lunch.”
“Oh, yes, sorry, we didn’t mean to hold you up so long.” Rory bubbled as she talked. A light personality compared to Esmeralda’s dark, muddled tones. “I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
“That would be nice. Maybe we’ll have dinner next time you’re in town?” I left the invitation open and started moving toward the picnic tables. “See you both later.”
“You are looking in the wrong place. Family doesn’t do this to each other. You need to follow the money,” Esmeralda said.
I turned around, narrowing my eyes. “What did you say?”
She shook her head. When she saw my face her lips turned into a smile. “Go eat, Jill. I swear, you must be starving. Your face is as white as a ghost.”
I glanced at Rory, who was staring