Cadie leaned forward slightly."And?"
"The refill dates don't match the expected usage timeline."
Cadie frowned."She wasn't being given her medication properly?"
"It could mean several things," Barrett said."The pharmacist noted that sometimes caregivers make mistakes with complex medication schedules."He paused."But he also said that sometimes they don't give the doses they're supposed to."
Cadie was quiet, absorbing this information.She took another sip of wine, her brow furrowed in thought."What's your honest opinion?What do you think this means?"
Barrett considered his words carefully.He didn't want to alarm her unnecessarily, but she deserved the truth."I think the medication irregularities, combined with your aunt's concerns in her journal, indicate negligence—or possible manipulation of her medications."
Cadie leaned back in her chair, clearly surprised by the assessment.For a moment, she didn't speak, just stared at the candle flickering between them.
Barrett knew what he'd told her was difficult to hear.The possibility that someone had harmed her aunt was disturbing, especially when that someone might have been a trusted caregiver.
The waitress returned to take their food orders.Cadie ordered the shrimp and grits she'd praised earlier, and Barrett selected the blackened redfish.When the waitress departed, silence settled between them again.
Barrett reached across the table and touched Cadie's hand."There isn't much more to say about it tonight.I have more investigation planned.I'll dig deeper and talk to neighbors who might have observed things."
Cadie nodded slowly."Okay."
"For now, let's enjoy the evening."He squeezed her hand gently before releasing it."We can pick this up tomorrow."
She appeared relieved."Thank you…for everything."
"You don't have to thank me."He meant it.Being here with her, helping her find answers, felt right in a way he hadn't expected.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Cadie seemed to relax.She asked about his business in California, and he told her about a few interesting cases, the ones that reminded him why he had chosen investigative work.She laughed at his description of a surveillance job that had gone comically wrong, and the sound warmed him more than the bourbon.
The meals arrived.Cadie's shrimp and grits looked as good as she had promised, and his fish was perfectly seasoned.There was plenty of time to savor the food and enjoy each other's company.
"Tell me more about your life in New Orleans," Barrett said."What's a typical day like for you?"
Cadie considered the question."I wake up early, usually.Practice piano for a couple of hours before anything else.Then it depends on the day.Rehearsals with the band, sometimes studio work if we're recording.Performances in the evenings, mostly in the French Quarter."She smiled."It's a good life.The music scene there is incredible."
"Do you ever perform solo?"
"Not really.I'm the piano player in Genevieve's band.That's my role."
Barrett heard what she wasn't saying."But you want more."
Cadie looked down at her plate."Sometimes I think about writing my own songs and performing them myself."She shrugged."But Genevieve is the star.I'm happy supporting her."
"You're incredibly talented, Cadie.I heard you play at Stratton House."
She looked up at him."You really think so?"
"I know so."
When the meal was over, Barrett suggested dessert, not wanting the evening to end.The waitress brought bread pudding with bourbon sauce, and he shared it with Cadie.His fork occasionally touched hers on the plate.
After a second drink, the conversation drifted to more personal territory.Barrett talked about the years after high school, the path that had led him to the Navy SEALs and eventually to private investigation.He didn't share the darker parts, the losses that still haunted him, but he gave her more than he usually gave anyone.
"Why didn't you ever marry?"Cadie asked, her voice soft.
Barrett turned his glass slowly on the table."I convinced myself it wasn't worth the risk.Losing people changes you."He looked up at her."I suppose I haven't been open to that.What about you?"
Cadie was quiet for a moment."I never found anyone who felt right.A few relationships seemed promising, but they never lasted.I dated a bit, but my focus was on my music."
