“They’re bank records,” Ryan said wryly, stacking them up.
Liv scowled inwardly. When she saw Ryan’s smile she realized it was outwardly, too. She scowled some more and stalked back to the counter.
“Steven mentioned you’d dropped by his house.” Ryan’s voice was tentative.
Liv didn’t confirm or deny, but she gripped the wash cloth a bit tighter in her hands.
“Liv, this could be dangerous.” Ryan’s voice softened. She stood, moving closer. “You can’t get involved.”
“It’s not a suicide.” Liv’s voice was stronger than she expected. She stared Ryan down, but was surprised to see shock in her eyes, not disbelief.
“Why?” Ryan looked actually interested in what she had to say.
“She didn’t show any signs.” Liv thought now. “She’d talked about future plans. She was getting married. And the scene looked staged.”
“How?” Ryan didn’t know how much Liv had been able to see through the window.
“The scattered cards.” Liv exhaled. The memory would haunt her for a long time, those dangling feet and the red and white cards dotting the living room. “Who would do that?”
Ryan’s voice was sad. “There have been stranger things.”
Liv shook her head once, then dropped the subject.
“Be careful, Liv.” Ryan stood, stuffing the files back in her back and finishing up her coffee and sandwich. “If it is murder, you could be in danger.”
Liv nodded once. Ryan came closer, reached out and put her hand on Liv’s. It sent a tingling warmth surging throughout her body, reminding her of past nights of passion. She missed it, so much. But it was a risk. “Careful.”
This time Liv didn’t have to nod, for Ryan turned on her heel and headed out of the coffee shop, leaving Liv behind.
9
Friday 30th September; 5pm
The last couple hours at the coffee shop passed in a blur, Liv’s mind spinning in circles as she thought about what Ryan had told her. She thought it was a murder too. Otherwise she wouldn’t have asked what she did.
“Need anything?” River stuck her head through the door from the kitchen. She had been cleaning up their food prep area while Liv had served the last few customers.
Liv was so caught off guard she almost dropped her phone, instead catching it with her fingertips. “I’m good,” she said hastily.
River raised her eyebrows.
“Really.” Liv tried to smile and was aware it didn’t look entirely convincing. “Heading home now.”
River studied her for a few more seconds. “Are you really doing okay?” Her voice was softer.
Liv looked away. “It was hard.”
River pulled her into a hug. “I heard.”
Of course she had, Liv thought wryly. Nothing was sacred in her town.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” River told her. “Go home. Get some rest.”
Liv opened her mouth to object, but River had already turned back to the cleaning. The weekend rush would be soon, and they had to be prepared.
“Mocha.” Liv whistled, drawing her attention and picking up her leash. Mocha trotted over, pushing her head against Liv’s leg to get attention. Liv smiled down at her, scratching her behind the ear in her favorite spot. “You’re a good girl.” She bent down and gave her a kiss. Mocha nudged her face with her cold nose in return, her gesture of affection.
“Let’s go home, girl.”
Mocha rode well in the car, Liv’s co-pilot. At least when she was awake. Sometimes Mocha had more important things to do, like napping. The drive was short, only fifteen minutes. Her house was just on the outskirts of town, and she liked it that way. While the house was hers, she considered it Gram’s.
When she pulled into the dirt driveway, she slowly stopped the car. All of the lights were off. Not just inside the house, but the porch lights, too. Considering the sun was almost below the horizon, it turned her beloved house into a haunted place of nightmares.
Was Gram okay? Had something happened? Uneasiness crumpled her stomach into a ball, and she drove to the house faster than she should have.
Knowing it was pointless to tell Mocha to stay in the car, she took her leash and let her stay right next to her. The door was still locked. That was good, right?
Desperately wishing she had a flashlight, Liv inched inside. “Gram?” What if there was an intruder and they were still in there? What if Gram had fallen and needed help getting up?
“In here, dear.” Gram sounded perfectly fine, which only added to Liv’s confusion. “Someone turned the lights out.”
Liv’s heart skipped a beat at the wording, but surely it was a coincidence. “The breaker must have blown.” She walked inside enough to verify that Gram was sitting on the couch, knitting in the dark. And from what Liv could see, she hadn’t made a mistake yet. “How long have you been in the dark?”
Gram shrugged. “I can’t tell.”
Liv closed her eyes briefly. Everyone’s vision got worse with age, she reminded herself. It wasn’t anything to be concerned about.
Denial was a river in Egypt!
She held her phone in front of her like a light and headed out towards the side of the house where the breaker box would theoretically be. It had been a long time since she had had to find it, if ever, and the evening with the sun going down was not the optimal time.
Finally she found it on the far side of the house facing the woods, which blocked any remaining light from the sun and gave it extra creep points.
At least Mom had taught her how to maintain a house before she’d passed. That they still lived in the same house helped a lot. She opened the breaker with the key, peering at the fuses. Then she frowned.
Someone had flicked the main switch. Some thing. Goosebumps raised on her skin, a chill going over her. Had someone been there and done it? Or had Gram done it and just forgotten about it?
She forced herself to relax. Gram
