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“But at least he didn’t kill another squirrel,” Audrey said brightly.
If one of my brothers had said that, I would have glared at him hard enough to melt his face. But coming from her, it was so cute I almost smiled.
“Good attitude,” Luke said.
“I like to focus on the bright side.”
I loved that about her and I wasn’t about to rain on her parade by reminding her there wasn’t much of a bright side to any of this.
Although it had given me an excuse to sleep at her place every night.
Maybe there was a bright side after all.
I took a sip of my beer. Someone near the door caught Audrey’s eye and she waved.
Marigold came to the table, dressed in a pink shirt and floral skirt. Her hair always looked nice, which made sense, considering what she did for a living. She looked at the full table and took half a step back.
“Hey. Busy in here tonight.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can go find somewhere else to sit.”
Maybe it was just me, but she seemed almost nervous. Which was weird.
But it was probably just me. I kept assuming everyone was keeping secrets or harboring ulterior motives.
“No, we can make room,” Audrey said.
Zachary stood. “I have to be at work early. Later.” He unceremoniously sauntered off toward the front door.
“Damn it, Z’s my ride.” Luke got up and offered his chair to Marigold. “You look beautiful tonight, Mari. Sorry I can’t stay.”
She smiled and took his seat. “Thanks.”
He pushed her chair in before saying goodbye.
Audrey looked at me, her eyebrows lifted, as if she were trying to ask, or maybe tell me something. She flicked her eyes toward my departing brothers, then toward Marigold. I still didn’t know what she was getting at.
She sighed.
Marigold reached for Audrey’s hand. “Tell me how you’re doing. I heard about Lou. What was he thinking?”
“He’s just trying to do his best in a confusing situation.”
“He’s being a dick,” I said. “He should be giving you the benefit of the doubt.”
“I agree,” Marigold said.
“At least I’m on paid leave. Once he gets in touch with my old boss, I’m sure she’ll clear it up. I bet he calls me Monday morning and asks me to come back.”
“This whole thing is so crazy,” Marigold said. “You still don’t have any idea who’s behind it?”
“Not really,” Audrey said. “But with all the cameras Josiah put up at the house, no one’s getting close without us knowing about it. And the SPS patrols seem to be helping. At least there haven’t been any more squirrel murders.”
“That’s one good thing.”
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want animals to die—I wasn’t a monster—but it was not the squirrels I was worried about.
“I’m not going to lie, Audrey,” Marigold said. “I keep thinking it must be that ex-boyfriend of yours. The one who lives up in Pinecrest? I know you said you don’t think it’s him, but I just have a feeling.”
I met Audrey’s gaze and raised my eyebrows.
