Page 48 of Indigo Ridge (The Edens 1)

“I am.” She fit her delicate hand into his meaty grip. “Winslow. Nice to meet you.”

“Same. What brings you two in?”

“Winn’s got a few questions for you. But how about a beer first? Whatever’s on tap. Surprise us.”

“You got it.” Chris wouldn’t be gruff like John—who, compared to Willie, was as welcoming as a doormat. Of the regular three bartenders in town, Chris was the nicest guy.

Winn didn’t need me here, but I was having a hard time walking away.

Her questions for Chris were the same ones she’d asked John.

Was Lily here on Saturday or Sunday? Do you remember seeing her with the same guy more than once? Did she have a boyfriend?

Chris’s answers were the same as we’d gotten at Big Sam’s. Neither of us finished our beers, and when she went to pay, I beat her to it. With a wave goodbye to Chris, we retreated to our vehicles on the opposite end of Main.

“You talked to all of Lily’s friends, didn’t you?” I asked.

“I did. I hoped that one of them might have noticed something wrong. But they were all as shocked as Melina.”

“Conor’s broken up about it. I think he might have had feelings for her.”

“Really?”

“I don’t think she returned those feelings. He got shoved into the friend zone a long time ago.”

“Hmm.” Her shoulders fell.

“You think she had a boyfriend, don’t you?”

She stayed quiet.

That was a yes. Maybe Lily had hooked up with the mystery guy before she died. But who? Now my own curiosity was racing down the block. If Lily had been seeing someone, Conor would have known about it. Unless Lily had hidden a relationship to spare his feelings.

“Maybe she was sleeping with someone who worked at the bank with her,” I said.

“I never said she was sleeping with anyone.”

I gave Winn a

knowing look. “You didn’t have to.”

“Why did you come to town with me?” She crossed her arms. “You told me to back off. You told me to drop this, remember?”

“I remember. But for Melina’s sake, for Conor’s, I respect that you’re trying to give them more of an explanation.”

“Oh.” Her arms fell to her sides. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Bye, Griffin.”

Before she could climb into her SUV and disappear, I walked to the passenger side of her Durango.

“What are you doing?” She narrowed her eyes through the window.

“Might as well drive together to Willie’s.”

“How did you know I was going to Willie’s?”