Normally, I would say this is the opposite of a good idea, but right now, what other options do I have? “She sees everything in this neighborhood. She writes it all down in a damn notebook.”
“Yes, and she also called the police and told them you murdered your husband and loaded him into your car. She’s not exactly your biggest fan.”
But she is Luca’s, I remind myself. I’m halfway across the yard when a truck pulls up behind me. For a moment I think it’s Luca, but it isn’t his work truck, it’s Crash’s.
“I was down the street,” he says, swinging both feet to the ground. He closes the door behind him and jogs over to us. He’s wearing a tie, and not even the kind printed on the front of a novelty T-shirt, either. “Nothing yet?”
“Crash, I don’t have time right now. I need to find Luca.”
“That’s why I’m here.” His eyes track the direction we were headed. “You’re going toBetty’s?”
“Yes,weare. She might have seen something.” Annie’s gaze sweeps down his body. “I see you own more than one shirt.”
“And I see you noticed,” he says with a grin, before turning to me. “And no offense, Em, but Betty doesn’t like you.”
“But she likesyou?” Annie says.
“Let’s just say we have a certain rapport.”
They’re still arguing when I turn to cross the yard, taking Betty’s steps two at a time before ringing the doorbell. Not that the doorbell is even necessary; I’m certain she already knows I’m here. I hear Annie and Crash right behind me.
A few moments later, the front door opens, and Mrs. Caldwell stands stiffly in the opening. “Hello, Emery.”
“Betty—”
She folds her arms across her chest. “I would rather you refer to me as Mrs. Caldwell,” she says firmly.
Well, okay. I share a look with Annie, who wordlessly tells me to keep my shit together. “Mrs. Caldwell,” I say through a clenched jaw. “I was wondering if you’ve seen Luca today.”
“Today?” she repeats, eyes wide, her tone leaving no question she thinks I’m a terrible wife, never mind a liar. She lifts her wrist, making a show of checking the time on a thin gold watch. “It’s after six at night, Emery. Are you telling me you haven’t seen your husband all day? First you lose your dog and now your husband. Goodness.”
Next to me, Annie puts a placating hand on my forearm to keep me from losing my shit at this.
“Mrs. Caldwell,” she says calmly. “My name is Annabella Rodriguez, and I’m a colleague of Emery’s. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Annie offers a hand to Mrs. Caldwell, who reluctantly reaches out to take it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Annabella.”
“Please, call me Annie.”
“Thank you, Annie. You can call me Betty.”
I try not to gape at this.
“And you know me, Mrs. Caldwell,” Crash says with a wave from behind us.
Betty peers at him for a solid five seconds. “You’re wearing a shirt, I see.”
“I’ve got a new client meeting today. I’m Crispin, by the way. I’m not sure I ever properly introduced myself.” He reaches a hand between us and offers it to her. She hesitates briefly before shaking it.
“Thank you, Crispin. I’m Betty.”
This is really getting insulting.
“So, Betty,” Annie starts. “Both Emery and Luca were home this morning, but Emery was called into a meeting at work. When we got back to her house a half hour ago, Luca was gone. The thing is, he’s still not back and he’s not answering his phone.”
“Perhaps he finally came to his senses and left,” Betty says haughtily.
“Does that sound like something Luca would do?” Annie asks.
