Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
She faces me and she’s biting the inside of her cheek. “I want to see it.”
“The house?”
She nods.
“You sure?”
“I think I should. And I know Odin wants to, too. We had happy memories there. It’s just… they’re clouded over, you know?”
“You don’t have to go today. I’ll take you when you’re ready.”
“I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready to go into the house where he was murdered. I just have to do it.”
Her words have me tightening my grip on the steering wheel. She doesn’t deserve this.
Her phone dings with a text. She reads it and a small smile appears on her face. “Do you mind if I have lunch with my brother? Except for the last two years, we used to do that on our birthdays. Just the two of us.”
The last two years when I’ve kept her locked away.
“I didn’t mean…” she starts as if reading my thoughts.
“It’s all right.” I’ve had her all to myself for a week. I can let her have her lunch. “Where?”
“He made a reservation at Trattoria Maria. It’s in the center of town.” I check my watch. “He’ll take me to the lawyer’s office afterwards.”
“I told you I’d take you.”
“That’s fine. I just want to make it easy.”
“I’ll drop you off at the trattoria. You’ll have a soldier—”
“It’s lunch in the middle of the day in the middle of town.”
“He’ll be subtle.”
“Santos—”
“Until we figure out who was up at the lighthouse, you will not be left unguarded. That’s my condition, Madelena. If you want to have lunch with your brother, you will be accompanied by a soldier.”
“Fine.” She folds her arms across her chest, tension between us, the ease of the last week vanished.
I squeeze her knee. “I won’t take a chance with you.”
She exhales. “You’re going overboard.”
“Humor me.”
“Fine.”
We ride in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. When we get to the trattoria, a soldier is already waiting there. I’d prefer Val, but I need him for something else. I park the SUV and walk around to Madelena’s side. She’s already out by the time I reach her.
“I’ll walk you in.” I set my hand at her lower back, and we head toward the restaurant’s glass door. It’s located in a strip mall. I wouldn’t look at it twice, but as soon as we’re inside, I realize why it’s so busy. The food smells delicious.
“Maria’s grandmother opened this place before I was born,” Madelena says. “It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but the food is the best.”
“I can smell that.” I look around at the dozen tables, which are all full. I spot Odin at the back. When he sees me, he scowls, but gets to his feet.
I turn Madelena toward me and kiss her cheek. “Remember, Hells Bells is our secret.”
“We have so many,” she tells me as Odin approaches.
“Happy birthday,” Odin tells his sister, kissing her on the cheek. “Table is set for two,” he says, holding onto one of Madelena’s hands.
“Don’t worry, I’m leaving.”
Madelena rolls her eyes. “I’m starving.”
A woman watches us from behind the cash register. Madelena waves.
“Maria?” I ask Madelena.
She nods. “Want me to introduce you?”
“Nope. I’ll introduce myself.”
“Santos—”
“Go, have your lunch. You have a little more than an hour before you have to be at the law office.”
“Come on, Maddy,” Odin says. He leads her to their table. Once she’s settled, I approach Maria, who is measuring me up.
“So, you’re the Augustine they’re all talking about,” she says.
“That’s probably my brother,” I say, extending a hand. “Santos. Pleased to meet you.”
“Maria.” She shakes it. “I’ve known those kids since they were little.” We both glance at Odin and Madelena. “And as long as the trattoria has been open, we’ve never had a soldier stationed outside.” She gives me a disapproving look.
“First time for everything.” I take my wallet out and set two hundred-dollar bills on the counter. “If this doesn’t cover their bill, he’ll take care of the rest,” I say, gesturing toward the soldier.
She pushes the bills back. “Birthday lunches are on me. And anyway, how much do you think lunch costs? I don’t extort money from my patrons. I’m not the mafia.”
“Touché. Think of it as a generous tip then.” I leave the money on the counter and walk toward my wife. I kiss her on the top of her head, memorizing the floral scent of her shampoo, and tell her to have a good lunch, then leave. I’m barely out the door when my phone rings. I take it out of my pocket to find it’s Val.
“What is it?” I ask, climbing into the car.
“You have company. Bea Avery.”
“At the house?” I ask, surprised.
“You want me to get rid of her?”
“No. I’m about ten minutes away. Put her in my office but stay with her.”
“Will do.”
I head home, seeing the ever-present shadow of the looming lighthouse. Hating it. I could tear it down, make a modern structure out of it to function as a lighthouse. I decide to look into it.