Whiskey and Whispers, page 16
Mark might be able to be at peace, but Tate wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel. Not yet. There were still avenues to pursue and questions to ask. If, in the end, he didn’t know what had happened to his mother?
He’d find a way to deal with it then. But not one day before.
Chapter
Eighteen
“I’m going to stop at the bookstore,” Cat’s mother announced as they walked down the sidewalk towards Tate’s bar.
They were meeting for dinner, along with Tate’s siblings and Uncle Mark, who was unexpectedly in town for a visit. Or not so unexpectedly, depending on how one looked at it. Tate had been searching for his uncle, but he hadn’t thought that Mark would simply show up out of nowhere as a surprise.
“Go on to the tavern,” Grace said. “But I want to pick up a new book. I’ll go back to the house when I’m done. And yes, it’s okay.”
Cat had experience with her mom picking out new reading material, and it never took only a few minutes. Her mother could easily get lost in a bookstore and come out a few hours later with a stack of new books.
Cat didn’t blame her in the least. Lucy’s bookstore was a great place to get lost in if you had some time to kill. If Tate wasn’t expecting her, she might have joined her mother.
“We’re supposed to be hanging out together.”
“And we are,” Grace laughed. “It’s been lovely. But it’s time for you to go meet Tate. Trust me, I can get home on my own. Go have a good time. I won’t wait up.”
“What makes you think I’ll be out late?”
“Because of the way you and Tate look at each other.”
“You’re a great mom. Have fun, and call me if you need me.”
“I am a great mom, and I’ll be just fine. I’ve been getting around town for many years while you were gone. I can handle things.”
Her mother went into the bookstore, waving through the window as she began scanning one of the book displays near the register.
Cat didn’t need to hurry to the bar. She could take her time and do some window shopping. All the siblings wanted a chance to visit with Mark first, plus Piper had a conference call with someone on the West Coast, so they had to wait for her.
She continued down the sidewalk, slowing as she found herself in front of Lindsey’s grooming business. She could see Lindsey through the large window, working on an adorable Yorkie.
Lindsey saw Cat and smiled, waving at her to come in. For a moment, Cat hesitated, not sure she could act casual after hearing what Rachel had said about the supposed affair, but then she had no idea if any of it was even remotely true.
The bell over the door rang as Cat walked into the grooming salon. Lindsey was dressed in a pink apron and appeared to be finishing up with the canine on the table.
For the first time, she noticed how Lindsey resembled Rachel. They weren’t identical, but their coloring was the same. Lindsey was a few inches shorter, but from a distance, they looked very much alike.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to call you,” Lindsey said. “I was hoping we could set up a lunch or something so we can catch up. This is Tiger, by the way. His mommy and daddy are going to be here to pick him up any minute. He’s my last customer of the day.”
Tiger was looking up at Cat with the biggest and softest brown eyes she’d ever seen.
“He’s a cutie,” Cat said. “I’ve been thinking about getting a dog myself. I’ve never been able to get one before now because I traveled too much.”
If she took the skin care job, she’d probably be traveling again. She’d be “back” in her old life.
Think about what you’ll be proud of.
Her mother’s words were still ringing in Cat’s ears.
“Really? A dog? Do you have any idea of what you’re looking for? I work with the county shelter, helping our four-footed friends find forever homes.”
“I’m not sure. I don’t want a dog that’s super high energy. I was hoping for one that’s kind of chill and would be happy to watch television with me.”
Apparently, Cat had picked the right topic because Lindsey launched into a list of questions regarding hair versus fur, big versus small, and so on.
“Just let me know when, and I’ll meet you at the shelter,” she said. “I can show you around, and perhaps suggest a few that might be what you’re looking for. Sadly, we never seem to lack animals that need a good home.”
“Did Josh and Rachel adopt from the shelter?”
What am I doing? Why did I ask that?
Lindsey didn’t even blink at the question or the mention of Josh.
“They did, which is wonderful. They’re also patrons, and they give generously during the annual fundraiser. They’re terrific pet parents. I’m sure the pups are being a great comfort to them right about now. You know, with everything that’s happening. It always helps to have that unconditional love. I can’t believe Josh was hit by a car. That’s so crazy.”
“It is crazy,” Cat agreed. “Hopefully, Finn can find whoever did it.”
Lindsey cleared her throat, her gaze darting to the door and then back to Cat.
“I heard that the vehicle looked just like Rachel’s.”
Gossip traveled faster than the speed of light in Winslow Heights. The grapevine hadn’t wasted any time.
“I don’t think Rachel would try to kill Josh. Besides, I was with her later in the day when she got the call about him. She was truly upset when she heard the news.”
“There are a lot of people who wouldn’t be surprised if she did,” Lindsey replied with a shrug. “There have been rumors around town that she and Josh are having problems. Some say that Josh and Shelly are sleeping together. They say that’s why Leo was so upset the night of the party.”
Shelly? As in Leo and Shelly? This was something new. Did Lindsey realize that Rachel thought that she was the affair partner? It was far too confusing and had way too many players in this game.
“Who is saying this?” Cat asked. “Sometimes, rumors are just rumors.”
“Winnie said it, and she’s Rachel’s best friend and business partner. She would know.”
If Rachel had told Winnie that she thought Josh was sleeping with Shelly, why on earth had she told Cat that he was sleeping with Lindsey? Did she think that Josh was sleeping with all the women in town? Was this simply some sort of paranoia? It didn’t give Rachel a great deal of credibility.
A better question might be why Winnie was spouting Rachel’s personal business to other people. It made Cat think that Rachel needed different friends.
The bell over the door rang again, and a couple walked in, immediately cooing at Tiger, who had been sitting patiently while Cat and Lindsey had talked. The dog began jumping around and yipping when he saw that it was his parents.
“I’ll call you about lunch,” Cat promised as she moved toward the exit. Lindsey had her hands full with the customers who wanted to book their next appointment. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Lindsey waved goodbye, and Cat turned down the sidewalk and headed to Tate’s. It had been a strange conversation. If Lindsey was having an affair with Josh, she was one cool customer. As for Shelly sleeping with Josh, she couldn’t take that seriously either. Leo didn’t seem like the type of guy who would pick a fight in public where many people could overhear them.
It was one more thing in all of this mess that didn’t make a lick of sense.
Frankie’s arms were crossed over her chest, her lips pressed into a thin, mutinous line. She was gloriously angry, and Tate wasn’t about to take a bit of the blame. It all belonged to Zack, and that’s where she should be directing her ire.
“I told him to tell you,” Tate said, not bothered in the least about throwing his oldest sibling under the bus. His brother should have fucking known better. “Cooper told him to tell you. He decided differently.”
“You could have told me. Either one of you,” Frankie replied, the words short and clipped. “But you didn’t.”
“It was his mistake to rectify,” Tate explained. “And don’t try turning this around on us just because you don’t want to argue with Zack and lose. We’re not taking responsibility for this. If you’re pissed off, talk to him.”
Zack, for his part, didn’t appear to be all that chastened. He was sitting at the bar, casually sipping a whiskey. Cooper, on the other hand, had a wicked grin on his face, clearly enjoying the sparring.
“I don’t really give a shit,” Sam declared with a roll of his eyes. “We know now. Sure, it would have been better to know before, but it’s not like we don’t get to see everything, right? You’re not hiding anything else?”
Sam was the pragmatic sibling. He didn’t like getting upset about something unless he truly needed to. Perhaps that was why he’d been able to work with their dad for so many years. Joel Winslow’s antics barely seemed to register with Sam.
“Not a thing,” Cooper assured him. “All of the items are in Zack’s spare room.”
“Are you sure there’s not anything else you’re not telling us?” Piper asked, her lower lip trembling and her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Shit, they’d hurt her feelings. Frankie was mad, but Piper was hurt. That was ten times worse.
His mother had done the same thing. She’d tell him she wasn’t angry, just disappointed. That had to be the worst declaration ever in parenting.
I disappointed her. Dammit.
Piper was so like their mother in many ways, not just looks. Their personalities were similar, as were their noses and chins.
“I don’t like seeing this,” Uncle Mark finally said from his perch on a barstool, soft drink in hand. “Brothers and sisters arguing. It’s sad. Lily’s passing should have brought you all together, not torn you apart.”
“Sadly, that didn’t happen,” Zack replied, his voice soft. “But I guess there’s still time.”
“Winslows suck at working as a team,” Cooper said bluntly. “We’re all a bit self-absorbed.”
Poor Lucy and Jane were sitting off to the side and looking uncomfortable, possibly second-guessing their involvement with a Winslow brother.
“Amen to that,” Jane whispered, but loudly enough to be heard. “But in a charming, adorable way.”
A chuckle ran around the room, breaking the nasty tension. Even Frankie had a smile on her face.
“I’m still pissed off,” she declared, taking a deep breath. “Zack, don’t ever pull shit like that again. Do you hear me? I still know how to swing a racquet.”
“I am sorry,” Zack replied. “I thought I was protecting you, but I see now that was a toxic way to look at the situation. I won’t do it again.”
“Okay, then.” Frankie glanced over at Piper. “How about you? Are you good? Because if you’re not, I suggest you clock Zack right in the jaw, and then you’ll be even.”
Piper’s eyes narrowed as she gazed at Zack.
“I’m good, but I’m not happy. I will, however, get over it. But I reserve the right to kick his shin at a later time.”
“As long as it’s only my shin,” Zack muttered under his breath.
“Can we have dinner now?” Mark asked. “Because I’m starving.”
Tate was about to say that he wanted to wait for Cat, but as if on cue, the door to the tavern swung open and she walked in.
“You’re just in time,” Lucy said. “We were about to order dinner.”
“I’m hungry,” Cat said. “What are we having?”
Tate handed her a menu card from the table.
“Anything we want. Dinner is on me tonight.”
“Food always tastes better when it’s free,” Sam declared. “Let’s eat.”
Tate’s chef was quite simply a genius in the kitchen. He could do amazing comfort food, but he could also do a gourmet meal just as well. Tonight, no one challenged his skills much, mostly ordering burgers, pizza, chicken, and steak. Frankie, now retired from professional sports, had a double cheeseburger with home fries.
Piper, of course, went a different way. Extremely health-conscious, she’d ordered the grilled fish with asparagus. Her explanation was that she ate too much sugar from her baking business, so she had to make better choices the rest of the time.
When the meal was over, they were all groaning and patting their stomachs. Mark stood up and clanged his fork against his glass to get everyone’s attention. Tate didn’t have any idea what his uncle was about to say, but he knew from experience that Mark was going to say whatever he wanted to, and no one could stop him.
“After talking with Tate and the rest of you, I feel like I need to make my feelings on your new investigation clear. First of all, I support you a hundred percent in this. I agree that Joel’s investigation may have been haphazard at best and downright negligent at worst. However, as I explained earlier, I think you’re going in the wrong direction, looking at your father. He loved Lily in his own strange way. I don’t think he would want to hurt her. Second, I think you should look at the other people in your mother’s life. Hell, look at me, if you need to.”
“You’ve got my attention,” Sam said. “In your opinion, who else should we be looking at? I have a few theories of my own, but I’d like to hear your thoughts.”
“Lily’s best friend Shayla,” Mark said, sitting down in his chair. “Henry, perhaps. Joel’s brother, Rick.”
“What about Aunt Kim?” Piper asked softly, sucking in a breath. “She married Dad.”
“I love my sister,” Mark replied, turning to address Piper’s statement. “But love doesn’t mean being blind to someone’s faults. Do I think Kim is capable of cold-blooded murder? No, I do not.”
“Do you think she might know more than she’s letting on?” Sam asked. “We’ve always felt that Dad may not have killed Mom, but that he knew more than he was saying out loud.”
“Just because Aunt Kim is a narcissist doesn’t mean she had anything to do with Mom’s disappearance,” Cooper said. “I think she’s a total pain in the ass, but let’s be fair here. She wouldn’t sully her manicure with murder.”
“She was always jealous of Mom,” Frankie argued. “I was just a kid, but even I could see it. Then she did the ultimate jealousy move. She married Dad. Now she has Mom’s life. And she couldn’t have it if Mom were still around.”
“Let’s talk more about Shayla,” Tate suggested. “She left town about a year after Mom disappeared.”
In rather mysterious circumstances, too. She hadn’t said goodbye to anyone. She’d left quietly one day, and a “For Sale” sign had gone up in the yard. They’d never heard from her again.
“She was Mom’s very best friend,” Piper said. “They were close. Like sisters. I know they confided in each other. I remember Mom saying that Shayla was one of the few people she trusted in the world. No way that Shayla would have anything to do with something nefarious.”
“You don’t think it’s strange that she left town without a word?” Sam asked. “She was like family, and then suddenly she was gone. It’s like she never actually existed, and we all just imagined her. Has she tried to reach out to anyone here? Anyone at all?”
Silence.
“Then she’s on the list,” Sam said. “We need to look into her. Now let’s talk about Henry and Rick. Personally, Henry would do anything for our dad, and yes, that includes murder. Rick? I’m not too sure about him. He seemed friendly with Mom, but I don’t think they were ever close. He’s definitely not a yes-man to Dad.”
“Henry, on the other hand,” Zack replied, “would take candy from an orphan if he thought that’s what Dad wanted him to do. From what I’ve seen, he appears to have no conscience or empathy. The only thing he cares about, apparently, is being in Dad’s favor.”
“He craves being in the inner circle,” Frankie said. “I’ve seen guys like him on the tour. They hang on to the talented players, hoping some of the shine from the fame and money might rub off on them. It’s kind of icky to watch, actually.”
“Dad is an asshole, but he’s not an idiot,” Sam declared. “He knows exactly what Henry is. I think he keeps him around for amusement and to clean up messes that he doesn’t want to deal with. Henry will do it, as long as he gets to be close to Dad. It’s a clearly dysfunctional and deeply disturbed relationship.”
“Where does that leave us?” Cooper asked. “We dig into Shayla and Henry? And maybe Kim, although I doubt Dad is going to let us anywhere near her, to be honest. And from what you say, Mark, she’s not going to suddenly break down and confess any of her past sins.”
“I’ll also ask the investigation team to look into her,” Cooper said. “Maybe there’s something we don’t know about your aunt. Plus Henry and Shayla. First, we have to find her.”
“You shouldn’t have any trouble with that,” Mark laughed. “After all, you found me.”
“Let’s not lose you again,” Frankie said, patting his hand. “We need all the sane family we can get.”
“Honey, if you think any of this family is sane, you are in for a rough awakening,” Mark said. “We’re all mad as hatters. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
And one of those hatters might be a murderer.
Tate and his siblings wouldn’t stop digging until their mother could rest in peace.
Chapter
Nineteen
Cat and Tate drove back to his house after he closed the tavern. She hadn’t spoken much during the evening. She hadn’t known what to say. All she could see was a family still in a great deal of pain and looking for ways to make it stop hurting.
Yes, they deserved to have answers, but it wasn’t going to make them feel all better and happy. Losing their mom was still going to be painful. It might be less so, but it wasn’t going to magically fix the hole in their hearts that Lily Winslow’s disappearance and apparent death had created.
She’d wanted to talk to Tate about the job offer she’d received, but when she compared it to what he was going through, it seemed too small and petty. He was dealing with death. This was a skin care ad. In the big scheme of things, what did it matter?
