Part 10 (1/2)
A deep sigh. ”I'll get back to you.”
Annie Mae climbed in the car and handed me my credit card and receipt. She put her drink in the holder and then fastened her seat belt. ”You talked with Jose, right?”
”Yes.”
”I bet he's really impressed with our detective work, huh?”
”You could say that.”
But I wouldn't.
Chapter Eleven.
We parked in front of a row of houses on Jones Street, near Clary's Cafe. Live oak trees lined the brick sidewalks. I could see the top of Saint John's Cathedral peering above the housetops. Jose had just said that a lot of men cheat on their wives. Even though I knew I had nothing to worry about with Andrew, I still needed to hear from him. ”I'm going to call Andrew.”
”Go for it. I'll get out and walk around a bit. You know, do a little surveillance.” Annie Mae exited.
I also missed my kids and wanted to check and make sure they were all right. Since their generation did not answer their phones, I texted Timmy and Teddy: How R U? Checking in. Call or text me. Love U. Mom.
After I sent the texts, I called Andrew's sister, Pricilla, who had the girls for the weekend. No answer. They were probably at the beach. I texted: All okay there? Sunscreen on? Life vests? Remember, Nina does not like her food to touch, and Nancy's Dora the Explorer nightlight is in her bag. Thanks for having them. Please call me ASAP. Love, Cat.
I pushed my speed dial number one.
Andrew answered. ”You girls having fun?”
”We're about to dumpster dive.”
Andrew chuckled. ”I'm afraid to ask.”
”I have a weird question. Men cheat on their wives. You're a man.”
Andrew interrupted. ”Last time I checked. Where did that come from?”
”Jose mentioned something a while ago about how everyone cheats on each other. It's been gnawing at me. I know we love each other and all that. But still, I have to ask just to verify. So, yes or no? Would you ever cheat or even think about it?”
”By the way, that was two questions.”
”Okay then. Give me two answers.”
”I can barely handle you. What would I do with another woman? So no, I am not cheating on you, and no, I won't cheat on you.” Andrew laughed.
”Bert was having an affair.”
”What a sc.u.m.”
”I know, right?” I took a deep breath. ”So are the kids okay?”
”All is fine. I talked to my sister an hour ago. They were heading back to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. The boys are still at work. Your mom and I have everything under control. By the way, did your dad ever mention any accounting issues with the store?”
”Not that I know of. Why?”
”I'm just having problems trying to make the books balance. I'm sure it's just a learning curve, and I'll make it work.”
”If not, I can always take a look at the books.”
”Well, don't worry about that now. Enjoy your diving.”
”Love you.”
”Love you, too. Be good.”
I met up with Annie Mae.
Annie Mae pointed. ”Are we going to the alley over there?”
”That's where Zachary said he found newspapers to wrap stuff at Scarlett's. That's where the recent purple-filled crossword puzzle must've come from. There is a possibility that the person who uses purple ink is around here. Maybe we'll find a clue. It's worth a try.”
We made our way over to a graveled alley that b.u.t.ted up to the back of carriage houses. Many of the Jones Street houses were four-story Italianate with brick or stucco over brick. They had courtyards separating them from smaller, two-story carriage houses.
We neared a large garbage can against a carriage house. Vines climbed the side of the brick exterior of the house. The dumpster stank of rotting food and urine.
”Whoa. That stinks. There is no way I'm going through that.” Annie Mae held her nose.
”We'd never get the smell out of our clothes. Let's start over here. Look in these recycling bins.” I motioned at a brown container with a bright yellow lid sitting in the alley. I opened one and found various plastic bottles, newspapers, aluminum cans, and gla.s.s bottles. ”Let's search each one.”
”You get this one. I'll do that one.” Annie Mae rummaged through a bin a few feet down from me. ”No antiques in here.”
”Remember, we're looking for a newspaper crossword puzzle with purple ink.” I walked to another bin past Annie Mae.
”Wouldn't it be great to find a painting worth millions? Remember when a lady in Manhattan found an original painting by Rufino Tamayo in a dumpster?” Annie Mae pulled out a newspaper from a bin. ”Just saying it would really supplement my retirement income.”
”And four future college tuitions.”
”So I say, after we finish looking through these recycle bins, let's go down there and dumpster dive.” Annie Mae pointed to a large green trash receptacle, next to a house under renovation. ”I feel lucky.”
I flipped through some newspapers. Sports section. News section. Advertis.e.m.e.nts. Then I found the crossword. Not filled in. I shoved the papers back in the brown container. Shutting the lid, I moved to the next bin. I wiped the perspiration from my forehead with the back of my hand. My s.h.i.+rt stuck to my back.
Annie Mae held up a diaper by the tips of her two fingers. ”These are not recyclable.”
Poking in a container, I spotted a stack of newspapers under a bag. I yanked out the white, plastic bag. As I pulled it toward me, it broke, releasing a hot brown liquid down my shorts and leg. It smelled like cola.
Picking up the mess that fell on the ground, I then put it back in the bin. I flipped through the newspaper. A crossword puzzle was filled in with blue ink and pencil.
The sun s.h.i.+fted, shading the alley, offering a little respite from the intense heat. My khaki shorts were spotted with the dark brown liquid from the broken bag. I had haphazardly pulled my hair into a ponytail. With the humidity, I knew it was frizzy. Something told me I didn't want to see a mirror.