“I’m glad you did, and she is, too. I wouldn’t want her to see what you found, so thanks.”
Not the response she expected, but it rang true. No mother in her right mind wants her child to see the horrors of the world. They would soon enough.
“You’re welcome,” Ali said. “Does she know what was found?” She had to ask.
“Around here, news like this spreads quickly, so yes, she does, but I’m not allowing her near the beach until the authorities clear out.”
“Do you have an idea how long they’ll be there?” Ali wanted them out now but knew that wasn’t being realistic.
“I wish I did,” Valentina told her. “They aren’t the brightest bunch, other than Dr. Bruce, who is so full of himself it’s hard to imagine him focusing on his job. He spends most of his time checking himself out in a mirror.”
Ali wondered if Valentina and Dr. Bruce had been involved at some point. Not her business; if Valentina wanted her to know, she would tell her. “Deputy Sanders is an ass. I found that out real quick. He practically accused me of a crime.”
“I’m sorry. He gives all law enforcement a bad name. His uncle is the sheriff in Palm County, and honestly, that’s the only reason he has his job. No one on the island likes him, at least that’s been my impression. As I told you, most of them are crooked in one way or another.”
“I think Sanders is for sure, and the doctor, he is a strange one,” she said, not wanting to give Valentina the idea she liked to gossip.
“Listen, I was about to run to the house to make lunch for myself and Renée. Why don’t you join us?”
Alison had never been invited to anyone’s home for lunch. New life, new choices, she reminded herself. “Sure, that would be great. Can I bring anything?”
“Just yourself. Renée said she told you where we live. We’ll be neighbors once you’re settled in.”
“Yes, she pointed out your place when we were at the beach. What time should I arrive?” She sounded stupid—at least she thought so, as she truly wasn’t sure of the island’s etiquette or Valentina’s.
“Come on over as soon as you can. I just need to close up, then I’ll meet you at the house.”
“I’m on my way,” she said. Before leaving, she changed into a pair of khaki shorts and a pale blue tank top. Brushing her hair, she wore it down, but added a hair tie to her wrist, a habit she’d had since living in Florida. She switched her sneakers for her secondhand Birkenstocks. She was in dire need of a new pair of sneakers, but for now, they’d have to wait. Ali also needed to call Henry, something she’d been putting off. He would need her authorization in order to release funds for the house. She’d memorized his number years ago. Using her new cell, she dialed his number.
“Henry Adler,” he said, his usual brisk greeting.
“Hey, Henry, it’s me.”
“Well, I’ll be damned! The long-lost investor. What’s up with you, kid? I was starting to worry.”
Ali usually went weeks without speaking to Henry, so why should he be worried?
“I’m buying a house on the beach. I just wanted to make sure you know it’s me, and not some scammer. I’m paying cash, rather than a check from the investment account. Just wanted to give you a heads-up.”
“Appreciate it, kid. You found a deal?”
He knew her well—knew she wouldn’t let go of one red cent foolishly.
“A hundred grand for a house on the beach on Palmetto Island,” she told him, unable to keep the excitement from her voice.
“Darn, you hit the jackpot, and your dream. I knew you’d do it,” Henry said encouragingly.
“Not without you, Henry. You’re the financial wizard.”
“Yeah, I guess I know a thing or two,” he teased. “I’ll make sure there are no bumps on the road and make this easy for you.”
She didn’t see how it could get any easier. She would write a check, and she’d have a home of her own. She knew purchasing a home was more than just writing a check, but Henry liked to baby her, and she let him. He was kind, and in his own way, he’d always looked out for her. “I appreciate it.”
“It’s what I do, kid.”
She finished her call, then took off for the beach. She was excited at the prospect of seeing the inside of a fancy beach house, plus having lunch with her new friends. If it weren’t for that damn bone she’d dug up, she would say today was her best day in a very, very long time.
As she drove past Dolphin Drive, she spied several official vehicles still parked on the side of the road. She maneuvered the Jeep down the path, because it wasn’t what she would call a road, then parked next to a vehicle she hadn’t seen before. She was certain it had to be someone associated with the investigation. Though she didn’t have a clear view of her future cottage, she could hear voices—someone shouting orders, the clank of metal, the sound of an engine revving. Unsure if they’d brought in the heavy equipment as she’d suggested, she crossed her fingers that they would be finished today. She wanted them off the property before she formally moved in. For now, she tried to focus on the moment, on meeting her new friends. In time, she’d have to deal with her discovery, but for a couple hours, she wanted to be normal. A woman on a lunch date with friends.
Not a hundred percent sure how to get to the large house, she opted for the beach, remembering where Renée practiced her yoga. Once there, she backtracked through a narrow area, a large fence on either side, until she could see the house Renée had pointed out.
“Hey,” Renée shouted from a balcony. “Up here.”
Alison went up three flights of stairs before reaching the top deck. “Wow,” was all she could say. The view from the deck was out of this world.
“It’s an awesome view, right?” Renée stated. “I’m used to it, but it’s so cool to see it through another set of eyes, like now.”
Ali laughed. She knew exactly what she meant. “It’s beautiful.” Simple words, but fitting. “I bet the sunsets are . . . mind-boggling.” She laughed at herself, but felt her description was adequate.
“Spot-on! Mom and I have dinner out here sometimes so we can watch the sunset. It’s pretty amazeballs,” Renée told her. “Come in. Mom’s still making lunch, so I’ll show you around.”
When Alison stepped inside, surprise didn’t describe what she saw. The kitchen was bright white with marble counters, stainless appliances as large as those in a restaurant, a dining table made from birchwood, with aqua-colored cushions in the chairs. She counted sixteen chairs. Damn. There was a giant living area, with white plush sofas and matching chairs facing the gulf. A large flat-screen television hovered above a gorgeous fireplace.
“It’s a lot to take in,” Valentina called out as she prepared lunch in the kitchen.
Alison hadn’t noticed her when she first entered their house. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said, and it was the truth.
“Let Renée finish giving you the full tour, then we’ll have lunch on the deck.”