Forever on the Bay--A Novel by Lee Tobin McClain

Author:Lee Tobin McClain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2022-01-21T20:59:06+00:00

* * *

BACK AT HER PLACE, they located a likely number, and Cassie placed a call, then put her phone on speaker. “Bliss? This is Cassie Thomas, Josh Thomas’s sister. He was one of your former clients?”

She heard a sharp intake of breath. “Oh, my goodness, I heard about Josh. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t get away for the services.”

“It’s okay. Thanks.” She was learning to push past her sadness enough to stay on track. “Hey, listen, I wondered if I could talk to you about what kind of calls Josh was getting right before he passed away.”

“Um, hmm.” Bliss didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, “I’m not really sure what privacy requirements there are in a case like this.”

Evan leaned forward. “Bliss, this is Evan Stone. I’m a friend of Josh and Cassie, and a police officer in another jurisdiction. We can get your local police involved, or just chat informally. Whichever works better for you.”

Again, Bliss paused.

“We’re just trying to get a window into what was going on in his life right before the shooting,” Cassie explained. “The police haven’t found out anything, and they’re overworked. They’ve basically given up. Could you at least tell us if anything unusual was going on?”

Bliss breathed in and out, audibly. “I can,” she said. “It would be better if we could meet. That way I can make sure you really are who you say you are.”

Cassie looked over at Evan.

“I’m off in the morning Sunday and Monday. Would either day work for you, Bliss?”

“Sunday morning.” She gave them her address and ended the call.

Cassie set down her phone and looked over at Evan. “She sound weird to you?”

He nodded. “A little. You said she was Josh’s old friend. What kind of friend?”

“I don’t know, but I had the feeling she was a romantic interest at one time.”

“That would explain the tone.” He leaned back in his chair. “I should go. Leave you to your Saturday.”

But she didn’t want him to. “Stay,” she said impulsively. “I’ll fix us lunch. It’s only fair, since you put up with being jerked around by a bad stick-shift driver.”

“Hey, you did well. I didn’t mind.” He smiled. “But I also wouldn’t mind lunch.”

She fixed them grilled cheese sandwiches and heated up some potato soup she’d made the day before. “Carb heavy,” she said, handing him his plate and bowl to take outside, “but tasty.”

“I’m in favor of carbs.” He carried out his dish, then returned to grab the pitcher of iced tea she’d set out. In minutes they were enjoying lunch on Victory Cottage’s little deck. “Can’t beat this,” he said, nodding toward the bay, the boats, the sunshine.

And for a few minutes they just enjoyed the breeze and the bay, together.

“This is nice. About as far from Minestown as you can get.” Cassie set down the crust of her sandwich. “Truth is I wouldn’t mind living in a place like this.”

“It’s a lot busier in the summer,” he warned. “But there are art festivals and the like.

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