“Not specifically. Early September, just before school started.”
“When my class was heading off to college.”
Kate looked at her watch. “Do you really think Dan Bruebaker was after her?”
“He and I weren’t close, but I do know that he talked about her often. It was like she was some trophy he was trying to win. He used to tell all of us on the team in detail about what he’d like to do to her, that sort of thing. Locker-room talk. I dismissed it at the time.” He paused. “So how was your adventure yesterday?”
At first she didn’t know what he meant. “Oh, Aventura? The rest home. Mrs. Ellerbee wasn’t... I mean... She’d passed away.”
“Oh, no! I’m so sorry.”
Kate put down her napkin and stood up. “I really need to get back.”
He got up. “Give me a date if you hear about one and I’ll do what I can to help you find alibis for the people in high school. I’m good at research and my mother kept every piece of paper about my high-school years. Her scrapbooks are practically a daily diary. It could help narrow down the list. Anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“That’s very kind of you. By the way, why did your mother go to Henry Lowell’s funeral?”
“I didn’t know that she did, but it makes sense. Mr. Lowell used to keep our house from falling down around our ears. I think he and Mother became friends, and between you and me, I don’t think he charged her very much.”
“I think he did that with a lot of people.” She glanced at the table. “Thank you for all of this. It was a nice treat.”
“Would you like my help tomorrow?”
“It would be nice if you showed up at the service at the cemetery in the morning. Maybe it’s vain of us but we’d like to show Sheriff Flynn that Cheryl and her mother were remembered.”
“Now, that’s something I can do. What about afterward?”
Kate started to say that he might be good at interviewing people, but she stopped herself. She’d already told him a lot, and officially bringing in a fourth person was something that needed to be discussed with the others. The thought made her smile. She was
now part of a team. “I think we have it covered.”
For a while, they talked of his new house and how he was going to furnish it. She suggested he hire Ivy to decorate it and he liked that idea. Then they exchanged the double-cheek kisses that were prevalent in South Florida and Kate drove home smiling.
* * *
By 7:00 a.m. the next morning, Kate was up and ready to go to the memorial service. It wasn’t until ten, but she was nervous. She hoped lots of people would be there, but at the same time, she hoped they’d be respectful.
The house, so full of what was needed that day, was quiet. Aunt Sara was sitting at the kitchen counter with a big plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. She offered Kate some but she got out a box of sawdust cereal and skim milk.
“Ready for today?” Sara asked.
“I doubt it. What still needs to be done?”
“Jack can’t get his dress pants on over the cast. You wouldn’t mind helping with that, would you?”
“Not at all. Where are they?”
“With him. In his room. He’s expecting you.” Sara pushed away her empty plate. “I need to...” She shrugged.
You need alone time, Kate thought. “Sure. Go ahead. I’ll get our boy dressed and ready.” When she finished her cereal, she went in search of Jack’s room. It was down a hall that led to the laundry room—a place she hadn’t yet used. She knocked and Jack answered. He was wearing only a low-slung towel and a cast. His chest was covered with black hair that fanned out over well-toned pecs and abs.
She stepped past him. “Are you appearing half-naked to get me back for saying you’re like a brother to me?”
“I am. Is it working?”
“Yes. From now on, I’ll think of you as my athletic brother.”
Jack gave a snort of laughter and went into the bathroom, but he didn’t close the door.