“I’ll call you when I’m back at the station.” Toby picked up his tablet and rubbed Emma’s head. “See you, Jill. And thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome, but Greg did most of the work.” I watched as he left by the back door to climb into the police cruiser he’d brought to the house. “Do you really think it might be Meredith?”
“I’m convinced of it. It had to be someone who knew that Nan was even here. She could have been killed in her own house for months. But she died in South Cove. Where only a few people knew her.” He rubbed his face. “That’s no coincidence.”
* * * *
I got the call right before I went to bed. I’d cleaned the kitchen, texted Amy about what I’d gotten in town. I knew she couldn’t respond because she was at her money class. I’d just finished rewatching a movie about wizards and muggles, one of my favorites, when the phone rang.
“She confessed. Mostly because I got her mad, but a confession it was. Now she’s clammed up and asked for an attorney, so as soon as I get thing squared away, I’ll be home.”
“Her anger gives her away. That’s when she told me about Neal. When she wasn’t in control of what and how she said things.” She’d known Greg was head of the police here. She’d been playing us since she’d moved here. That was the reason for the free painting class. Now I didn’t even want to hang my painting.
“You’re right. That’s exactly why she confessed.” He chuckled. “I played her like a fiddle. You’ll never guess what she was wearing when Toby picked her up.”
“Red stilettos?”
“Seriously, Esmeralda does have a gift.” He chuckled. “See you soon.”
I turned off most of the lights, leaving one on in the library for Greg. Amy’s wedding was this weekend. It was time to crash so I could help my friend tomorrow.
Chapter 23
Sitting at the reception at a table covered with glitter and flower petals, I watched Justin twirl Amy around the dance floor. Her smile told the whole story. She was ecstatically happy. The day had been beautiful. All the stress had been worth it. We’d had breakfast together, but neither one of us ate much. I brought my dress with me to the venue, and we got ready together. Amy’s stylist had come and brought a makeup person. I didn’t even know Amy had a stylist. Greg came back from the lobby and sat behind me. I leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around me. “It was a beautiful wedding.”
“Yes, yes, it was.” He kissed my neck. “And you look beautiful too. If I haven’t told you that yet today.”
“A girl can stand to hear it more than once.” I turned toward him. “Was that Esmeralda?”
He laughed. “Maybe you do have the sight. Yes, it was our neighbor, and she’s on her way home. She’s coming back to work on Monday. And I’m so happy, I gave her a raise.”
I nodded over toward Marvin and Tina, who were at a small table by themselves. Amy had taken the easy way out. They probably liked their own company best anyway. “You could ruin his night if you wanted.”
He squeezed my waist. “Sometimes you’re a troublemaker, you know that, right?”
“Sometimes.” I was watching Aunt Jackie and Harrold dance now as well. “Keep an eye out for a new barista for me. Preferably not someone who works with you.”
“I concur. Moving things around for us to leave is always hard with Toby. I was surprised he brought Evie to the wedding. I didn’t realize they were dating.” He waved at our shared employee as he walked over to the buffet table. Again.
“They aren’t. That’s why they came together. That way, no one had unrealistic expectations and they could both have fun.” I watched as he piled his plate full of appetizers. “I think she’s too close to Sasha for him to think of her as anything other than a friend.”
“He’s still not over her, is he?”
I smiled as Toby walked by, a miniburrito in his mouth. He grinned but didn’t stop to talk. The music was too loud to really chat anyway. Greg and I were really, really close and we were having problems hearing each other. “Not even close. He says he is, but you can see it in his eyes sometimes. Love can really suck at times.”
“And it can be wonderful.” He pointed to Justin and Amy. “They’re