Death on Alder by Beth Everett

Author:Beth Everett [Everett, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

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THE EARLY SUN WAS COMING through the front window, warming a spot on the pillow next to me. There seemed to be an ax stuck in my temple, or it felt like it. I mumbled a curse to myself for having that last drink. Still half-asleep, I grabbed at the ringing phone.

“Sorry to wake you, but I was worried. Come home to us.” It was my husband, Jack, calling.

“It won’t be long now. We’re going to Memorial Park tonight. It’s going to be so nice to get out of here.”

I could barely contain myself. Memorial was home to the coastal redwoods. It was where ferns rose out of the ground in lacy celebration, and chartreuse moss clung to surfaces both natural and man-made, making them glow even on the darkest days. I’d always told my kids that it was where the fairies lived.

“I need to smell some redwoods,” I said, practically crawling toward the sink to refill my water glass.

“I’m jealous,” he said.

“You just get back to work so I can enjoy these trips,” I joked. “And make sure the house is clean when I get back.”

“Very funny…your boys miss you. So do the furry ones.”

He wasn’t trying to make me feel bad, but the words still had that effect. I missed him too, and the ache in my heart for my kids was even worse. But it would be no time at all before I was home again, longing for here. I made the decision to keep my mind in the Bay Area and enjoy every second of it.

“My time here is critical. I need it.” I tried to be nice but felt a little impatient with him. Maybe it was the hangover, maybe it was the early call, maybe both.

“Try not to get killed in the process, please?”

I told him I had to go. As soon as I hung up, I dialed Erik.

“Sorry to call so early. I’m really worried about my sister. If my theory is correct, she could be in trouble.”

“I’m just leaving the gym. Wanna meet me for coffee?”

“Um…” I was thinking of having this conversation in bed, in my pajamas, but the thought of a hot cup of coffee motivated me, and I knew the fresh air would do me good. “Okay,” I answered, kind of excited at the thought of seeing him again.

“Do you know the café at the Flower Mart?”

“Yes, of course.” This made me a bit defensive because he obviously didn’t see me as a local. I wondered if I was still a local and had my own doubts.

“See you there in twenty minutes.”

I threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and tied my hair back in a ponytail. My eyes were bloodshot from the hangover, so I applied mascara and lip gloss, which seemed to only highlight the damage. The crisp morning sun was mood-altering. The air smelled like ocean, and I stopped to take a conscious breath when I reached the corner.

The Flower Mart wasn’t far, just down a few blocks of warehouse-lined streets.

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