Part 27 (2/2)
”So, where were you when Richard was shot?” I know, I know. The smart move was to walk away. But today I was living on the edge. He was the only suspect I didn't have an alibi for.
He stopped and slowly faced me. He glowered with squinty eyes. ”You know, you keep asking me questions like you're investigating. You sure you're not with the cops?”
I forced a laugh. ”Nope. Just curious. I found him, you know.”
”I heard.”
”One more thing. I don't remember seeing you after the argument between you and Gia.”
”Unless you were standing in the line for the men's john, you wouldn't have.” His offhanded tone didn't ring true.
I whistled. ”That must have been some line.” There were two areas with portable bathrooms-by the spectator section, and the other in the food area adjacent to the parking lot. I wondered which line he'd been in.
”You know, I pa.s.sed the bathrooms by the racetrack a number of times. I don't remember seeing you.”
He dropped a bottle of cold medicine into his basket. ”I was in the line by the food.”
Which was closer to where Richard was shot. Another flimsy alibi that was all too easy to shoot down.
Suddenly, Lenny's bloodshot eyes lit up. ”I'm not the only one still in town,” he chirped, pointing over my shoulder. ”There's Richard's girlfriend.”
Not surprisingly, Fallon Keller made a beeline to the first aid section. Her face was still rockin' a number of cuts and bruises. She looked in our direction and froze. A weak smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
I smiled back and waved. She lowered her head and then ducked behind an endcap of sunscreen.
”What do you think she's still doing here?” Lenny asked.
Other than buying bandages? ”I think she's worried about Zippy.”
”Why would she care?”
”She doesn't believe he's safe with Gia.”
Speaking of safe. It dawned on me as Lenny and I watched Fallon sneak around the drugstore that it was possible they were both still in town for reasons altogether different.
The filmmaker's camera.
I PAID FOR MY items and left Lenny and Fallon in the store. After my sparring match with Lenny, I felt positively energetic. I parked in front of the boutique and unloaded Missy. Since it was Monday, Betty wasn't scheduled to come in until one.
I unlocked the shop then propped open the front door. Missy waddled inside. She turned, double-checking I was right behind her.
”I'm coming. Go lay down.”
She headed to her bed behind the counter.
I moved as quickly as possible. In a matter of minutes, I tugged the last tote out of the Jeep. That's when I saw Fallon a block away, heading in my direction. I tried to get her attention, but she slipped inside the bank without noticing me.
I stood smack-dab in the middle of the sidewalk and weighed my options. As much as I wanted to pepper her with questions, it was time to get my behind in gear and restock the merchandise. I trudged inside the store and kicked the door shut behind me.
I lined up the totes against the wall across from the register. I removed the lids and tossed them in a pile.
I grabbed an armful of dog sweaters to hang on the sale rack in the back. I was absorbed in the task when the door opened. Mr. TV strolled inside. He wore perfectly pressed chinos and a green b.u.t.ton-up s.h.i.+rt. No blazer. No cameraman. Interesting.
I stepped out from behind the rack. ”h.e.l.lo.”
He removed his aviator sungla.s.ses. ”Good morning.” His cheerful tone caught me off guard. He examined a couture dog dress prominently displayed toward the front window. ”Are all of the clothes made by local designers?”
”Some of them. If you're looking for something specific, I'd be happy to help you find it.” It dawned on me that I didn't know if he had a pet.
A half smile tugged at his mouth. ”Nice s.h.i.+rt.”
”I like to make a statement.”
”I noticed.” He tucked his gla.s.ses in his s.h.i.+rt pocket. ”I didn't realize until I'd arrived, Laguna Beach is very dog-friendly.”
You'd think a guy like him wouldn't need small talk before getting to the point. ”More registered dogs than kids. But as the king of research, I'm sure you already knew that.”
I returned to unpacking and pulled out the last of the dog clothes from the storage container. One down, three more to go.
”How long have you been in town?” I asked.
”Not long. Have you heard from Detective Malone today?” he asked.
I guess small talk was over and we'd moved on to the main event.
”Nope. Contrary to what you may believe, we're not in each other's back pockets.”
”That's good. Otherwise your fiance might find that objectionable.”
I carried the tote full of chew toys, b.a.l.l.s, and other play items to the display baskets up front. ”I guess he would.”
I dropped to one knee and made quick work of unloading the storage container. He stood nearby, watching quietly. I tossed the last stuffed animal in its appropriate basket.
”Where's the rock you were wearing yesterday?”
My heart skipped a beat. He was observant; I'd give him that.
I looked up and lied through my teeth. ”I dropped it off for its annual inspection and cleaning.” I stood. ”I'm sure you didn't stop by to talk about my engagement ring.”
He nodded. ”I wanted to give you a courtesy heads-up. I'm picking up the story where Olivia left off.”
”Okey dokey.” I picked up the tote and carried it back to where the other empty containers sat.
MacAvoy followed me. ”You don't seem to understand what that means.”
I sucked in a breath well aware of what it meant, but I knew there wasn't anything I could do about it. Most of all, there was no way in h.e.l.l I was about to confess to someone I hardly knew that Grey and I had broken up last night.
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