CHAPTER 30
Mina
“So, are we welcome here?” Luke asked, standing beside me as I rang the bell at Claire and Ozzie’s the next evening.
I chuckled. “He’s not home yet, so we’re safe.” And even if he were, he might glower for a bit and remind us to mind our own business before relaxing.
Although with what we were here for, it might take a bit longer. Claire texted me a little before closing to ask if Luke and I could come by to talk about some things she found. She also promised dinner as part of the deal.
“Is Claire safe?” Luke shot me a quick look of amusement.
I chuckled again. “He’s given up trying to rein her in.”
The door swung open.
“About time you got here.” Claire reached out and grabbed my hand, hauling me inside.
“Geez, Claire.” I laughed, dodging an excited Pebbles and Betty as she tugged me into her house.
“Sorry. Ozzie’s been ‘unavailable’”—she air-quoted—“all day, and Ineedto tell someone about what I found.”
“Hey!” Ellis poked his head around the corner from the kitchen. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
“I haven’t told you anything yet, and the only reason you’re learning any of this is because you randomly showed up.” Claire tossed the door closed behind Luke and locked it.
He shrugged. “I brought you food, didn’t I?”
I laughed. “It’s good to see you, Ellis.” It still amazed me that he and Ozzie were brothers. The two men looked alike, but their personalities were vastly different. Where Ozzie was more stoic and serious, Ellis smiled all the time, and his serious side only came out when it was necessary.
“You too.” A small frown creased his brow. “Who’s the dude?” His expression suddenly cleared. “Wait. Are you the boyfriend? Claire said you were seeing someone.”
Luke walked forward, hand outstretched and a friendly smile on his face. “Yes, that’s me. Luke Decker.”
“Ellis Quartermaine.”
“So, what kind of food did you bring?” I stooped to pick up Pebbles. “Claire promised to feed us.”
“Fresh fish.” He tipped his head toward the kitchen. “I was just cleaning it up. I’m gonna fire up the grill.”
“I had spaghetti planned, but Ellis brought enough to feed a small army.” Claire shot an aggrieved look at him.
“Fish is fine with me.” I glanced at Luke, who nodded.
“Awesome. Come talk over here, so I can finish getting it ready to cook.” Ellis stepped back into the kitchen.
Luke and I followed Claire. I set Pebbles on the floor, gave Betty a quick scratch on the ears, then took up residence on a barstool at the island.
“So, what did you find that you couldn’t wait to share?” I propped my elbow on the island and turned to look at my friend.
“Interesting things. It’s actually good Ellis is here. This might pertain to some things he’s heard.” Claire reached for a stack of paperwork and slid it closer.
“Oh?” Ellis twirled a knife between his fingers and looked up with a raised eyebrow.
She nodded. “You told Ozzie you overheard a conversation at the docks about a woman who was asking about property, right?”
“Right.”
“Well, Imighthave convinced Ozzie to give me the coordinates he got from Toren McCrae, so I could research the area.”
