35

Despite the fact that she was still ticked at Nick, Emily picked up his call the next morning. She was hoping he’d have some word about Sandi’s case.

“Heard you had an interesting night, Cardamom,” said Nick as soon as Emily said hello.

She grimaced. So, word about the fight had already reached him. At least she didn’t have to explain how she had completely humiliated herself.

“You’re a real piece of work, Emily Hartford. I didn’t know you had that in you.”

“Not my finest moment. And before you suggest it, yes, I am considering therapy.” The kind where I disappear to a spa in the Caribbean.

“I only wish I coulda been there to see it.” He let out a full laugh.

“This is funny to you? I totally botched things up,” she said.

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” He was still on her side. He always was.

“She had a tracker on my car,” Emily said. “I could press charges.”

“How are you going to prove it was her?”

“The paint on her Lexus is from my Leaf.”

“And you’ll need to collect it and get it sent to the crime lab for proof,” said Nick. “But under what cause am I supposed to make an evidence collection? Besides, now that she knows, what are the chances it’s even going to still be on the car anymore?”

“Good point,” said Emily. Tiffani was probably having it buffed out as they spoke.

“I’m more concerned as to why she was tracking you in the first place,” said Nick.

“Because she knows stuff about Sandi’s murder. Call her in for her statement,” asked Emily. “Tell her you need her DNA sample to rule her out.”

“Can’t I just get that from under one of your fingernails?”

“Touché.”

“Or maybe you still have some of her hair on your dress?”

“I deserve that. But yes, good point. I’ll comb my dress for her hair.”

“Shame she got your wig. I would have loved to see you in it.”

“Have you checked her Facebook for any more clues?” Emily could hear him clacking away at his keyboard. “Nick? Did you hear what I said?”

“Yeah.”

“Yes, you did check it?”

“Check what?”

“Tiffani’s social media. To see who she’s been hanging around with.”

“I’m looking right now.”

She waited. More clicking and typing.

“Nick? You there?”

“Yeah.”

Another pause.

“Nick!”

“Sorry. Busy morning. Busy week. And it’s only gonna get busier as the holidays start.”

Thanksgiving was just a week away. The weather was worsening, and that meant more traffic accidents. Shoplifting would be on the rise. Drunk driving, of course. And the increased suicide attempts as holiday depression set in.

Emily knew from her father’s work that there was always an increase in deaths around the holidays. She and her mother had never been able to enjoy a whole Christmas Day without Dad getting called out on a death investigation. The holidays certainly were not happy times for all. Including her.

But even though she hadn’t spent the last twelve years of holidays with her father, they had always at least sent their greetings on Christmas morning with a short phone call. Where would she spend her holidays now? It wouldn’t be with Brandon and his family. Aunt Laura in Chicago always went to Colorado skiing, and that didn’t feel right this year. Or Jo and her clan? That might not be the best idea, given the fragile state of their marriage. Maybe with Anna and her family? She warmed at the thought of Anna’s offer to join them for the holiday.

“I’ll let you go,” she said.

“Wait. Before you go, you’re invited to my annual Friendsgiving turkey roast this Saturday.”

“Thanks. I don’t know what my plans are yet.”

“You should come. All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl.”

“Fine.” But only because I don’t want to sit in my dad’s empty house all weekend. “What should I bring?”

“I always leave that up to the guests.”

“What happens if you end up with, like, five hash brown casseroles?”

“Somehow it always works out.”

Yeah. Somehow everything always works out for you, doesn’t it, Nick? “Can it be store-bought?”

“No, city girl. It cannot. Why don’t you just bring a beverage?”

“That sounds like something you assign the kid from your class who you’re not sure is going to show up.”

“If the shoe fits,” said Nick. “Guests start arriving at noon. We party till the last one leaves. Which for some means after the Sunday football game.”

Emily grinned. Nick knew how to keep things in perspective, even when the world around him seemed to be crumbling.

“And Emily, one more thing.”

“What?”

“Do me a favor and keep your hands by your side for now. Can you do that, please? I have enough on my plate with the holidays coming up.”

Emily sighed, and with double crossed fingers replied lightly, “As you wish.”