Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates (distant reading .txt) 📗

was upset about it. He says he should have been allowed to sit in on the interview to give the ‘grieving widow,’ in his words, moral support. The police didn’t see it that way. She had Stephen, acting as her lawyer, with her to safeguard her rights. Ricky’s talking about booking a flight home tomorrow. He says if the police are interested in the business of the firm, he needs to be there.”

“About that. Don’t tell the others yet—things might change, but if they don’t, Watson’s going to release Rich’s body on Monday.”

“Why do you know that and the man’s family does not?”

“I called him to talk a few things over and he told me. You might want to go home too, Mom. The police are turning their attention to Richardson Lewiston, and whatever happens, it’s unlikely to be pretty.”

“That I am not happy to hear. I’ve been trying to convince your father that it’s time for him to let go of some of the workload, to edge himself into retirement the way Amos is doing. This brief holiday was supposed to be the start of that. Instead, he’s now working harder than ever, worried the firm’s about to crumble around him. Thanks for calling, dear. Are you and Connor doing something fun tonight?”

“Not tonight. I’m meeting Josie and her friends for a girls’ night.”

“Sounds lovely. I’m going to make my excuses now. You’ve given me an idea. I’ll tell Evangeline and her entourage that I need to spend some quality time with my sister. Good night, dear.”

“ ’Night, Mom.” I hung up and then went upstairs to get ready for a night out with my friends.

Chapter Seventeen

And a fun night it was. We had dinner at a casual place in town, where I complained at great length about our house-hunting experience. My friends told me about all the people they knew who also couldn’t find a suitable place at a reasonable price.

After dinner, Grace suggested a drink at the Ocean Side Hotel, and I might have shouted, “No!” a bit too forcefully.

When the laughter died down, we decided to head for the bar at Jake’s. On the way to our cars, Grace said, “You might be interested to know, Lucy, that your friend Ricky asked me out.”

“Ooh, do tell.” Josie wiggled her eyebrows. “When was this?”

“Last night, as book club was breaking up. He suggested dinner tonight. Fortunately, I had a standing date with you guys as my convenient excuse.”

“You don’t need an excuse on my account,” I said. “If you want to go out with him, that’s okay with me.”

“I do not want to,” Grace said. “And not just because the picture you’ve painted of him in the past is so unappealing—”

Josie and Steph laughed.

“He’s here because his dad died,” Grace continued. “He should be dealing with that and supporting his mother, not trying to pick up women.”

“Ricky can walk and chew gum at the same time,” I said.

“Not with me,” Grace said firmly.

We didn’t stay at Jake’s for long, as both Josie and I had to work in the morning. Josie had picked me up at the lighthouse earlier, and we exchanged hugs in the parking lot with the others before everyone headed off on their separate ways.

“That was fun,” Josie said as we drove out of town.

“Always is,” I said. “Even the closest of friends often drift apart and start to lose touch when they get married, but I’m glad that hasn’t happened with you, and I hope it doesn’t happen to me.”

“It won’t if we don’t let it,” she said.

It was reasonably early, but night had fallen and traffic was light heading out of town. A single car pulled out of Jake’s parking lot after us and followed us through Whalebone Junction and down Highway 12. Darkness settled around us as the bright lights of Nags Head fell behind. In the distance, the lighthouse lamp flashed its rhythm, as it would throughout the night.

I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. “I’m going to miss living at the lighthouse. I love it there, but it’s time for me to move on.”

“Have you and Connor done much planning for your wedding?”

“I’ve scarcely had time to give it a thought. It’s been so hectic with Mom here and all that stuff around the death of Rich. At least that’s over and they’ll be going home on Monday. I hope.”

“Over? You mean they’ve arrested someone?”

I filled Josie in on what Watson had told me, that the police were investigating Rich’s business affairs. I didn’t add that I was still concerned about the Nags Head connection. “Once Connor and I find a place to live, we can concentrate on planning the wedding.”

“The perfect house will appear, Lucy. Don’t give up hope.”

“I’m not,” I said, speaking as much to myself as to my cousin.

Josie flicked on her turn indicator, slowed, and turned into the lighthouse drive. The car behind us sped past, its headlights illuminating the long, quiet road ahead.

I jumped out of the car, waved good-night to Josie, and trotted up the path. I turned to watch the red lights of her car fading in the distance, and then I let myself into the lighthouse to be greeted by Charles. It had been a long day, and I was bushed.

I let out a groan when I remembered that I had to walk the dog. I really, really didn’t feel like it. Maybe tonight I’d forgo the walk and let Fluffy sniff around the bushes for a couple of minutes. That should last her until morning.

I unlocked the door to the Lighthouse Aerie, and Charles ran in ahead of me. Fluffy gave us a woof of greeting and leapt off the window seat. I threw my phone and my purse onto the bed and kicked off my shoes. “Let’s make this a quick one,” I said to Fluffy.

My phone buzzed with a text. It often didn’t work inside the stone walls of the lighthouse, but whatever energy propels