Chapter 32
Ruby decided to stay at the hospital with Cashel, while Jane and Cora felt they should head back to the retreat. As they waited for their cab, Jane fought off the urge to take off running through the sand. It was so beautiful, with the sun lowering against the horizon, and the waters were calmer and reflecting the coloring sky.
“I don’t want to go back,” Cora said.
“Funny, I was kind of thinking the same thing,” Jane said. It was like that with them a lot. Sometimes she thought they were like an old married couple.
“Something is rotten in Denmark,” Cora said.
“And on Sea Glass Island, as it turns out,” Jane said.
“Such a famous retreat,” Cora muttered.
“It’s about to be even more famous,” Jane said.
A cab pulled up. Both women slid inside.
“Where to?” the cabbie said.
Jane noted that Cora was raising an eyebrow at her. “The Drunken Mermaid, please,” Cora said.
“Mathilde is not going to be happy with us,” Jane said, grinning.
“Neither is Adrian,” Cora said. “I texted him and told him about Cashel. He doesn’t need to be aware of my whereabouts at all times.”
“Why do you think he didn’t tell you about his inheritance?” Jane asked.
“I have no idea. He’s so reticent,” Cora said, her fingers balling up a piece of her pink granny skirt.
“But then again, I have to wonder if Cashel is being forthright,” Jane said.
“Why wouldn’t he be?” Cora said.
“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling,” Jane said. “He might like you and maybe isn’t being as helpful as he could be.”
“That’s ridiculous. We’re friends,” Cora said. “His mother works for me. We’ve discussed this.”
The cab pulled up to the Drunken Mermaid.
“Isn’t this where you and Adrian got into the fight?” Jane asked.
“Yes, and it’s also where Cashel was drugged or poisoned or whatever. First order of business. We need to check this place out more thoroughly,” Cora said, and handed the cabbie his money. “Keep the change,” she said.
“Is this a good restaurant?” Jane asked the cabbie.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve never been.”
“Really?” Cora said.
“Are you a native?” Jane asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “I don’t like what goes on in this place.”
“What do you mean?” Jane asked.
He frowned. “Drugs mostly, any kind, you name it. But you didn’t hear that from me.”
Jane’s heart lurched. “Why are we going here again?”
The man laughed. “You’ll be fine. Just don’t stay after, say, ten P.M.”
“Thank you,” Cora said.
“We’ll be back before six. I need to check in on my daughter,” Jane said. “Wasn’t this place recommended by Mathilde?” Jane asked.
“I don’t remember,” Cora said. “Maybe.”
“Well, we sort of found out what we came here to find out,” Jane said as they stood outside the Drunken Mermaid.
“There’s more to this place than meets the eye,” Cora said. “Now we’re aware. But what we don’t know is why someone here would drug Cashel.”
“How would we find that out?”
“I’m not sure,” Cora said. “But let’s go inside, get a drink, and snoop around. Maybe we’ll figure it out.”
They walked in the place and Cora stopped.
“Are you okay?” Jane said.
“It’s just that this is where Adrian got hit and I kind of, um, lost it. It’s weird for me,” she said.
“Well, let’s go in, have a drink, and leave,” Jane said. “We don’t need to stay long. I’ve no idea what we’re searching for, do you?”
“Something out of place or someone suspicious,” Cora said.
They walked in the Drunken Mermaid and were seated right away. It was the same hostess who had seated her when she and Adrian came. She held a gleam in her eye when she saw Cora. Cora knew she recognized her. Her red hair identified her—most of the time.
“I’ll have a glass of merlot,” Jane said to the server.
“That sounds good,” Cora said.
“Two merlots coming right up,” said the server. She wasn’t the woman who had served them last time.
“Have you heard back from Adrian?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, he’s researching in his room,” Cora said. “I wonder what Cashel found.”
“He certainly wasn’t telling us anything.”
The server brought their drinks.
Cora picked up a menu. “This is different from the dinner menu,” she said to the waitress.
She nodded. “Yes, we’ve three different menus. If you turn it over, there’s the story of the restaurant. It’s kind of interesting actually.”
“Have you worked here long?” Jane asked.
“No, only a few months,” she said. “Grateful for the job. You two here for the retreat?” She placed her hands on her hips.
“Yes,” Cora said. “How did you know?”
“Most of the strangers who come in on weekends are from the retreat. I’d love to go someday, but it’s outrageously expensive.”
Jane felt a pang of embarrassment. It was true—this retreat was one of the more expensive ones, and she couldn’t see the cause for the expense.
“If you like to craft, you should come to our retreat,” Cora said, and handed her a card. “In fact, if you can get away, please come and be my guest.”
The woman’s face fell. “What? You mean . . .”
Cora grinned. “Yes. Certainly. Check us out. We have a retreat coming up all about felt and fiber. We’re planning a Christmas retreat, also, with a focus on embroidery and needlework. Just go online and pick out which one you’d like to come to. My treat.”
“I don’t know what to say,” the waitress said. “Nobody’s ever done anything like that for me.”
“Well, it’s about time,” Cora said.
Cora loved this kind of thing, mused Jane.
“Thank you,” the waitress said, and slipped Cora’s card into her pocket.
“Izzy!” a man called.
“I’ll check on you in a bit,” she told them.
“Sure thing,” Jane said, and took a sip of wine. After Izzy left Jane asked if she was the server when Cora and Adrian were here.
“No,” Cora said. “But the hostess was here that night. I’m sure she recognized me.”
“It was so nice of you to invite Izzy to our retreat,” Jane said. “Did you come into some money or something? We need to make a living, lady.”
Cora sighed. “Yes, I know. But we also need to make some friends.” She winked. “And besides, one freebie every now and then is not going to hurt.”
“I guess not,” Jane said, begrudgingly.
Cora’s eyes scanned over the back of the menu. “Izzy was right; this place has an interesting history. Look at who the owner is.”
She handed Jane the menu.
“Mathilde Mayhue?” Jane said.
“Sshhh,” Cora said. “Good God. Do you want to get us drugged, too?”
Jane blinked. And she blinked again. She felt the blood drain out of her face.
“What’s wrong?” Cora said. “I was kidding. Kind of.”
“You’ll never believe who just walked in the door.”
“Who?” Cora said with her voice lowered.
“Hank,” Jane said. “Mathilde’s ex-assistant.”