Chapter Eight

“Tonight? I’d love to. What time?” 

As she approached the make-up room, Lily heard Marcia having a one-sided conversation. She wanted to update her on their newest client—the fact that they still had a business despite the missing bodies was nothing short of a miracle—but instead of knocking, as she should’ve done, she stopped in front of the door to eavesdrop. Due to Marcia’s timid nature, Lily felt as if she knew so little about her, even a little hint into her life would be helpful—at least that’s what she told herself. 

“You’re new in town,” Marcia said. “How about if I pick the place?”

Lily’s ears perked. This sounded like a date. She wondered who the guy was and if she knew him. Given the size of Manorview there weren’t many options.

“Marco’s has great Italian food but don’t expect too much. I know you’re used to eating well in New York City. I can make an eight o’clock reservation. Does that sound good?”

Lily’s imagination exploded. The guy was new to town and from New York City. So was Rick Drakon. Marcia and Rick are going on a date? Lily’s stomach burned as she retreated to her office to properly compose herself. She sat at her desk and hid her face in her palms. 

Rick and Marcia? 

When did all that happen? And what would he want from Marcia? It made perfect sense to her that Rick would pick the weakest sheep in the flock to spill company secrets—not to mention the father-figure relationship he’d started with Zachary. Clearly, Rick knew what he was doing—infiltrating her family and business like a disease for easier access to the bodies. Lily rubbed her eyes and sucked in a breath.

Now, she had to do something about it. 

****

Hours later, Lily swept the final layer of peach blush over her raised cheek bones under James’s watchful eye in the background of her vanity mirror.

“Gina is having a launch party at her store?” he asked in a calm manner.

Lies. Lies.

“Uh-huh. She’s launching her own hair color line.” Lily answered without looking at him—not completely untrue. Gina Giordani, owner of Beauty Bazaar where Lily purchased all the makeup products she needed for her business and good friend, had always said she wanted to do something like that. Someday.

“I shouldn’t be too long, but I wanted to show my support. It’s not every day that someone starts a new business.”

Lily rose to give James a kiss before she left. The faster she got out of the house, the better. She reached up to put her arms around him. He barely returned her affection. She sensed his reluctance but was too deep into the ploy to jump off the boat now. 

“Be careful. We’ve got a body snatcher out there.”

“Luckily, they only snatch the dead ones.”

His eyes were cold and lifeless. “You never know. Maybe they’ll move on to the living.”

Lily smiled. “There you go again, worrying. And all I’m doing is going to a party.” 

He doesn’t believe me. 

Her stomach turned inside out. 

White lies. They’re just a couple of white lies. 

He would forgive her once she uncovered Rick’s true identity. As an ace detective, she knew he would overlook this one tiny moment to nail a bad guy—even if the bad guy was his friend. 

Lily grabbed her faux croc evening bag and turned one last time toward her husband, hoping against all odds that he’d gotten over his fears. “I’ll be home soon.”

He looked at her stone-faced. “Call if you need me.”

“Sounds good but I won’t need you.” She smiled and walked toward the stairs, taking them two at a time. 

“I hope not.” 

From the doorway she heard him moving about the upper floor as she grabbed her car keys. It was just a couple of hours undercover. What could possibly go wrong?

It took only minutes for Lily to get to Marco’s. She parked her car on one of the side streets. Her plan to infiltrate Marcia’s date with Rick and make it look like a coincidence, was not the best one ever contrived.

Marco’s offered good Italian food. She’d been there countless times so she knew as she walked in that the bar would be on the left and the dining tables flared out to the right facing the front windows. As she entered under the dim lighting, she scanned the bustling room for her target and scored a hit immediately.

Far off in the right-hand corner, Marcia sat, facing the front door. Her brawny bald companion sat across from her. Before her eyes could connect with Marcia’s, Lily turned to the bar to order a drink. She squeezed herself in between a group of women chatting away, and a couple deep in conversation with each other.

“Good evening, Lily. Nice to see you tonight. What can I get you?” Chad, the bartender asked as he placed a small napkin in front of her. 

“Hey, Chad. Thought I’d come in for a quick sip.”

“What’ll it be? The usual?”

“Definitely.”

Liquid courage. 

When Chad came back with a dry martini, she took a big gulp. She might be taking a risk, but it didn’t have to be all terrible. The vodka burned her throat. She chased it with an olive. The sharp vinegar paired well. After one last sip, she got up and walked over to the couple. Her heart thundered in her ears. She had no idea how this would go but her instinct told her Rick had to be stopped. 

Dodging waiters as they either took orders or served steaming plates of food, Lily approached their table. Marcia looked up; shock replaced her usual timid demeanor.

“Good evening, folks,” Lily said, putting false cheer into her voice. “When I stopped in for a drink, I didn’t expect to see you two together.”

Lily grabbed a chair from a table that had just been vacated and pulled herself into their table. She set her martini glass down in front of her and watched their faces process her presence. She expected Marcia’s look of terror but the fleeting glimpse of anger on Rick’s face took her by surprise. He’d always maintained a happy outlook but now she’d clearly irked him. 

“We’re having a bite to eat,” he said, pushing his empty plate toward the middle of the table. “What brings you here, all alone?”

“I come in here sometimes for a drink after work. I’ve known Chad, the bartender, for years. He makes a good martini but then I looked over and spotted you two and thought I’d say hey.” This time, Lily looked at Marcia for clues. Her cheeks looked flushed, and she avoided eye contact. “Is this a date?”

“We’re all working so closely in one house, I’d thought it’d be nice to get out,” Rick said. “No harm in that.”

“Certainly, no harm at all,” Lily said. “The tiramisu is fabulous.”

Now they know that she knows. Lily hoped that would be enough to stop Rick from pursuing Marcia any further or maybe Marcia would now be worried enough about losing her job that she'd decide to stay away from Rick.

“I think we’re all set here.” Rick stated. “It’s getting late, and I should drive Marcia home to get some sleep before her long workday tomorrow.” He gestured toward Lily’s martini. “You have quite a bit left to drink. I hope you don’t mind if we take off?”

“Not at all. James will be by shortly and Chad usually keeps me company.”

“Great. See you back at home,” Rick said, also avoiding eye contact.

The two scurried out of the restaurant. He let Marcia lead the way while he followed behind in a protective manner. They could pretend all they want, Lily decided, but something was going on between them. 

After they left, Lily took her drink with her to the bar where Chad wiped down the counter and produced yet another small napkin for her drink. His spikey blonde hair gave him a youthful look, but she knew better, he’d been working at Marco’s forever. 

He smiled at her. “Your friends left mighty quickly.”

She took a long sip. It was time to go home. “I guess they don’t like me that much.”

“Guess not. It’s like my wife always says, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

“And boy are they close.” 

Chad smiled again and moved over to the couple that had just sat down at the bar. She wanted to give Rick and Marcia time to get home and avoid the awkwardness. As the boss in the house, she knew Marcia would be struggling with embarrassment.

Ten more minutes went by before Lily finally got up and waved to Chad. “Thanks for the company and superb drink. Until next time.”

Chad saluted. “Aye, aye. Until then.”

Lily left the restaurant and walked toward her car. The cool fall breeze circled her neck and went down her back. With winter approaching, a honeymoon in Hawaii seemed like the perfect getaway. She wanted to feel excited about the trip, but she had to solve the case first, or at the very least get Rick out of her life. 

As she approached her vehicle where it was parked under a streetlight, she sensed something was off. Her car was lower to the ground. She came around to the side to get a better look. That’s when she noticed the right back tire was completely flat. 

Ugh. “I have a flat tire? When did that happen?” Then she noticed the tire on the front was also flat. 

All of them? 

Whipping around to the other side of her car she saw the rest were flat, too.

“No way,” she said to no one. 

While the quiet of the side street enveloped her, she searched the surrounding area. Marco’s wasn’t on the main drag of the town, therefore patrons had to park on the side streets. Goosebumps dotted her arms. She didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary even though the tire slasher might still be nearby, waiting to kidnap her. Thankfully, she heard no footsteps or rustling anywhere. 

Calm down, Lily. 

She pulled out her phone to call for help. Of course her first instinct was to call James, but he’d be pissed she’d gotten herself into trouble again and she’d have to admit she’d lied to him about where she’d gone tonight. She had no doubt Rick had something to do with her flat tires but surely James wouldn’t agree. With no other good options, she dialed his number anyway while a massive lump formed in her throat. 

He’ll forgive me, right?