Page 87 of The Alibi Club

“Thanks for the positive spin on things,” Jamie said, blinked, and then collapsed into a sulk at her kitchen table.

“Just sizing up what I have to work with.” Derick looked down at the newspaper that was laying on the table. He saw something and examined the page more closely. “Did you say Duncan Reeves?”

“Yes, the evil dating app tech bro.”

Derick turned the paper around and showed it to Jamie. “Seems like Duncan is in some hot water himself.”

The headline read, Tech Mogul Implicated in Fake Bombing That Led to Citywide Lock-Down in Manhattan Beach.

Jamie stared at the headline, heart pumping, grabbed the paper, and began to read.

Duncan Reeves, founder and cocreator of the wildly popular but recently maligned TwinFlame dating app, was implicated in the intentional explosions of a series of transformers that caused an extreme power outage that plunged downtown Manhattan Beach into darkness Saturday night, leaving a large portion of the citizenry without power for hours. Reeves made a frantic 911 call to report a theft from his residence, but upon police arrival Reeves would not divulge what was stolen. This prompted law enforcement to further investigate his residence wherein several uncut diamonds were found, along with an unspecified amount of narcotics and an unregistered handgun. Duncan Reeves was taken in for further questioning. His team of lawyers arrived shortly thereafter. He was not available for comment. This is a developing story.

Jamie and Derick looked at each other, eyebrows raised.

“There’s more to this,” Jamie said. “This isn’t about some random diamonds or a little cocaine.”

“I would agree,” Derick said.

Jamie’s phone pinged and she looked at her screen. It was Holly from a group text titled “Dinner for Six.” Jamie looked at all the names. All the numbers were there, including Cliff’s.

Holly: I think I know what was stolen on our date night.

Rick: My heart? Rick added a gif of Bugs Bunny’s heart beating out of his chest.

Holly: Rick, babe, this is a group text—I’m talking about the heist.

Rick: Oh, sorry. You coming over to my place later?

Holly: Rick! Group text! I’ll text you privately after this!

Rick sent a thumbs-up emoji and a heart.

Shannon: Hey campers! I did a deep dive on Reeves. Very interesting. We should compare notes.

Kyle: Anyone up for getting together tonight to discuss?

Jamie squinted as she read the texts. But then smiled as everyone on the text thread replied.

Holly: Yes, where?

“Who is texting you and why do you look so happy about it?” Derick inquired.

“My pals from date night,” Jamie said, a small smile brimming.

“I thought you said that group blind date was an unmitigated disaster.”

“Complete catastrophe,” Jamie said as she reread the texts. “We’re getting together tonight to discuss it.” She didn’t hide her excitement as she waited to find out where they were meeting when Rick finally wrote:

“Old Tony’s. Half hour before sunset.”

The sun was descending on the cool October evening. Jamie retrieved her bicycle out of her garage, checked the tires, and found herself full of anticipation, excited to regroup with her tattered little band of singles. She knew they were all warped in their own way, but she felt certain that no one had lived through a date like they had. It had a bonding effect. She also felt a quiver of hope that Cliff would somehow be there.

She was in the saddle, ready to go, when her phone rang. M.O.M. came up on the screen. Elaine Cromwell Frisco was calling. Jamie sighed. Best to get it over with.

“Hi, Mom,” Jamie said, slight trepidation in her voice.

“I trust you’ve found a suitable candidate to bring to our nuptials in Hawaii.”