Give Murder A Hand: Lizzie. Book 2 (The Westport Mysteries) (5 page)

“Not at the moment, but I’ll call you when I do.”

Walking back outside I saw Grandma giving George a little finger
wave as he walked back towards the crowd.

“What did I miss?” I asked, taking a seat opposite Eunice.

“What a lovely man,” said Grandma watching George’s retreating
back. “I gave him my phone number.”

“
What?
Is it a good idea
to give out your number?” I asked, thinking about how he had lied to me. Mum
was going to have a fit. She left me in charge for an hour and already Grandma
had given out her number to strange men.

“I had to give it to him. How else would we arrange our date for next
Thursday night?”

I put my head in my hands and groaned. Mum was going to kill me.

Grandma stood and moved to the edge of the deck. I watched her
swish her teeth backwards and forwards and then open her bag. It took her a
minute, but finally she emerged with her mobile phone in her hand, a Christmas
gift from all of us last year.

At the time we didn’t really know whether it was a good idea or not,
but she insisted that all the ladies at Seniors Club had one so she should too.
We upgraded and bought her an iPhone. We figured that was pretty easy to use
and mostly she just wanted it so she fitted in with the crowd. The added advantage
to a smart phone was the
Find My Phone
app. After the last time she went missing, we thought this idea was ingenious. I
was actually quite surprised at how well she could use the phone though.

Eunice stepped up next to her and pulled out the same phone. Obviously
she’d been showing Grandma how to use it. Not wanting to disappoint the ladies
at Seniors Club, they proceeded to take photo after photo of my backyard,
complete with police tape and very large hole. When Grandma turned her back to
the garden, put her phone up in front of her and smiled, I realized she was
taking a selfie. As the flash went off causing me to blink I realized she
hadn’t quite perfected it yet.

“Grandma, you have to turn the camera around,” I explained.

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot that bit.” With this, she turned the
phone around and smiled again. “But I can’t see what I’m looking at now.” It
was my turn to smile as I moved to take the phone off of her.

“I’ll take it for you,” I offered.

“Thanks. And make it a good one. This one’s going on my Facebook
page.”

“You have Facebook?” I asked.

“Yep, and I got Twitter too. I’m following Tom Jones. And now that
I’ve got the right Tom Jones, it’s even interesting. I saw a picture of his new
wellie boots yesterday.”

“Nice. Now smile,” I said and took the photo.

“Good. Now I want one with you. Eunice, take this picture will
you?” she said.

“Why do you want a photo with me?” I asked.

“Tomorrow’s show and tell at Seniors Group and some of the girls
have taken the tour of your garden, but only I get a photo with my famous
granddaughter.”

“I’m not famous, Grandma.”

“You’ve been on the news. Close enough.”

I smiled as Eunice took the photo.

“Now I want one with Riley. Where is he?”

“He’s busy. Why do you want a photo with Riley?”

“Cause he’s good to look at,” replied Grandma, looking at me like I
was crazy.

Can’t argue with that logic I guess.

Chapter Five

Thursday dawned bright and sunny once again. I
got up and dressed in one of Molly’s hand-me-down dresses. The advantage of
having a sister addicted to fashion was that I got all her cast-offs. This
dress in particular was one of my favorites. It was yellow, about mid-thigh in
length and fell loose from my bust, which was especially good on days when you
were going out for a big lunch, as no one could see how big my stomach looked.

I brushed my temporarily straight hair (compliments of Danny) and
carefully applied my make-up. When I still felt insecure, I went back and added
another layer of mascara and lip-gloss. Today I had my first appointment at the
counselor. I’d never been to a counselor before and the thought that someone
would be able to see the ‘real me’ scared me almost as much as my nightmares.

Riley had popped out to the corner shop to get some milk and the
morning paper but he was coming with me for my first visit. I went downstairs
and poured myself a coffee, using the last of the milk in the carton, hoping
that a coffee would settle my nerves.

My appointment was booked for nine and, without looking at the
clock, I knew I still had another forty-five minutes to get there. All I knew
about the counselor I was going to was that her name was Allison Greene, she
was about my age and highly recommended by my doctor.

I sighed. Maybe I could cancel. I’m sure I could get a grip on my
nightmares without professional help. Yeah, maybe I should give myself another
week. Running to my bag to find my phone and call off my appointment, I felt my
nerves settle. Riley walked in the door as I was dialing.

“Who are you talking to?” he asked, kissing me on top of my head as
he walked past.

“The counselor,” I responded, listening to the ring through the
phone. Riley’s eyebrow raised. It was actually a really adorable trait he had. Only
his left eyebrow raised when he was really curious. “I’m canceling my
appointment. I’ve decided to give myself another week and then see how I feel,”
I explained.

Riley immediately took the phone from my hand and pressed the end
button.

“Lizzie, you are not cancelling. You promised me you would go.”

“Yes, and I will if I need to ... next week.”

Riley pulled me in close. “You need it now. I know you had another
nightmare last night.”

“Yes, but it wasn’t as bad as the last one, so I’m obviously
getting better.”

“We’re going to that appointment,” he said, his tone suggesting no
nonsense. “Now, grab your bag. I’m taking you out for a coffee. We’ll go to
your favorite café on the boardwalk.”

Humph. He knew how to bribe me.

* * *

Riley lived at 12 Sunrise Drive, and the café
in question wasn’t that far from his house. Only about a five minute drive, but
it
was
on the other side of the river. Riley navigated traffic easily but once we got
there, parking was a whole different story. I think every man and his dog had
come for a coffee this morning.

“Hail Mary, Mother of Grace, please find us a parking space,” I said,
looking around, hoping a car would pull out of a park for us.

Riley laughed. “What did you just say?”

“I said a Hail Mary to the parking gods. I heard it on the radio
once.” Riley continued to smile. Obviously he was a skeptic. “Don’t look at me
like that. It works.”

“Do you really think you should say a Hail Mary just to get a
parking space?”

“Yeah, I have been a bit concerned about that, but I figure I’ll
worry about it when my time’s up.” I smiled because just at that moment the car
in the nearest parking space put his reversing lights on and started to move
out of the park. I looked at Riley and shrugged. “I told you it works.”

I heard Riley’s chuckle, low and sexy in his throat, as he pulled
the car into place.

Opening the car door and stepping out into the sunshine, I
instantly felt the anxiety settle. I loved it here. Not only was the coffee
exceptional and the staff friendly, but the view was spectacular. Whenever life
got too hard, I put on my walking shoes, went for a walk and ended up at this coffee
shop. Usually by then I had figured out whatever was on my mind, and if I
hadn’t, I’d buy a chocolate Frappuccino. Same difference.

It was a good start as Tom, my favorite Barista, was on duty. He
not only made the best coffee he also had the friendliest smile.

“Good morning, Lizzie,” he called as we entered the shop. “You’re
looking sunny this morning.”

“Thanks, Tom. No classes today?” It was unusual for him to be here
today as it was normally a busy day of lectures. What he was studying, I had
never actually found out. Every time I asked, he gave me a really complicated
response, which I didn’t understand and I always felt too stupid to enquire any
further.

“Nope, it’s study week.”

“Then why aren’t you home studying?” I smiled.

“Because I’d miss you then, wouldn’t I?” He laughed. See, that’s
why he’s my favorite barista. “The usual?” he asked, looking between Riley and
myself. We both nodded. “Take a seat then and I’ll bring it out to you.”

We wandered back outside and found a table under an umbrella that
looked out over the river. The rain yesterday had stirred the water up so it
wasn’t the same aqua blue it usually was, but it was still gorgeous just the
same. I looked at Riley as he pulled his sunglasses down over his eyes. Today
he’d chosen to wear his usual jeans, but he’d accompanied it with a button down
shirt that he’d left open at the collar. The sleeves were rolled to his elbows
and accentuated his perfectly toned arms, his skin tanned against the white of
his shirt. His hair was slightly longer than normal and curled sexily at his
collar. The realization that he was all mine brought a smile to my face.

He caught me staring and smiled his mega-watt smile. I pulled my
own sunglasses down, dazzled by it. Sure, I should be immune to it by now, but
it still caused my heart to flutter. He reached out and took my hand.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice deep and sexy.

“Yep, I will be.” I smiled, squeezing his hand. “Thanks for being
there for me today.”

“Lizzie, I’ll always be there for you,” he said, leaning forward
and gently kissing my lips. I felt the happiness surge the second his skin
touched mine.

“Get a room, you two,” laughed Tom, putting our coffee on the
table.

“You’re just jealous because my boyfriend is totally gorgeous,” I
laughed.

“I bet I make better coffee than him though.” That was true, but
Riley had other skills that a girl only dreamed about. Tom looked at my grin,
shook his head and walked away.

* * *

It turned out that my counselor was actually a
psychiatrist. Humph.

I looked around the room as I sat nervously waiting for my turn. The
waiting room was small with only two chairs for patients to wait. Thankfully it
appeared that Riley and I were the only people here. The reception desk was
tall and made of bleached pine. It had a computer, a phone and a bunch of sunny
flowers on it. I suppose their purpose was to make us happy and maybe it did.

The sign on the desk announced that Allison was presently with a
patient and to please take a seat. I’d done as asked. Riley appeared much more
relaxed as he flicked his way through a fishing magazine from the side table
between us. My leg jiggled as I waited.

After what felt like an eternity, the door finally slid open and
out stepped Allison, a male patient following her. As he wiped at his tears,
anxiety gripped my stomach. Allison however, seemed relaxed and in control.

Recognition flashed. I just couldn’t pinpoint where I’d seen her
before. She looked younger than me even though I knew she was about my age, with
straight blonde hair cut in a bob that fell just below her ears, showing off
her sparkling diamond stud earrings perfectly. Her make-up was subtle yet
immaculate, and accentuated her massive grey eyes. She dressed in designer
pants, a fitted button-up shirt and her shoes were genuine Jimmy Choo’s. I only
knew that because Molly had the exact same pair. The smell of Victor Rolf’s
Flowerbomb floated towards me. I felt my earlier insecurity kick up a notch. When
she finished showing the man to the door, she turned her attention to us, and
her smile widened.

“Oh my gosh,” she said, her white teeth flashing against the black
of her shirt. “Riley Thomas!”

I looked at Riley and noticed him blush as he stood.

“Allison,” he said, moving towards her. “I wasn’t expecting to see
you.” He smiled as she reached up and hugged him. “I thought we were seeing
Allison Greene,” he added.

“I’ve changed my name since I saw you
last.”

“Married?” he asked.

“No. Well, yes I was. I’m divorced now though. He was threatened by
my success apparently.” She laughed. “Gosh, I haven’t seen you since you left
for the army. I don’t think my heart ever recovered from you leaving,” she
trilled, giggling.

“Ha. It looks like you’ve done really well for yourself.”

Allison looked around her and shook her head. “What are you doing
here anyway?” she asked.

“I’m here with Lizzie,” he responded, turning his attention to me.

Maybe it was because my anxiety was already high but something felt
off here. Allison turned to me. I noticed the very subtle up and down look as
she took me in, her smile frozen in place as recognition flashed in her eyes. I
stood and smoothed down my dress, wishing I was anywhere but here.

“Hi,” I smiled and gave a little wave.

“Oh, yes of course. I do remember Lizzie being booked in today. It’s
lovely to meet you,” she said, extending her hand for me to shake. I felt her
cool skin against mine and my anxiety reached a whole new level. I got the
distinct impression she
really
wasn’t
happy to meet me at all.

“Well, why don’t you go through, Lizzie. Make yourself comfortable
and I’ll be in shortly,” she said, indicating to the door that she had just
come through. She turned her attention back to Riley. “Wow. I can’t believe
you’re here. You look great, by the way,” she gushed, touching his arm as she
spoke.

To be honest I was used to girls flirting with Riley but this felt
completely different. It didn’t take a genius to figure out they had a history.
But so what? I knew Riley’d had partners before me. True, we hadn’t really
spoken too much about them. Every time I thought about Riley with another woman,
I felt sick in my stomach, but I knew they existed.

“Go through, Lizzie,” she repeated.

I looked at Riley, hoping he would stay with me. Even though—watching
Allison flirt with him—it might be better if he waited outside.

Riley looked at me and smiled. “If it’s okay, Allison, I’m going to
stay with Lizzie for this visit.”

“Of course it’s alright. I’d love to have you.”

I bet she would.

Walking ahead of them both, I entered the little room and sat down
on the chair provided. I looked around the room. I’m not sure exactly what I
expected but this wasn’t really it. The room was painted a very subtle latte
color with a plush chocolate-colored carpet. The chairs were white, high-backed
and very comfortable, with a small glass table between myself and where Allison
would sit. The white shelving on the wall behind her held an assortment of
books, flowers and a burning candle that filled the room with the overwhelming
smell of gardenia.

Now I usually liked the smell of gardenia but as there was not a
single window in the room, I could feel my eyes sting and a headache start. But
then, the headache could be from my unusually high blood pressure at the moment.
Riley sat in the chair next to me and I watched as Allison sat and crossed one
long leg over the other, her peep-toed Jimmy Choo showing her pedicure to
perfection.

“Now Lizzie, what brings you here today?”

“Umm ... I’m ... umm...having some nightmares,” I said, my voice
croaky. I cleared my throat, hoping I sounded a lot more confident than I felt.

“Really? Well, why don’t we start with some basic information about
yourself. What’s your family situation, where you live, that kind of thing.”

I spent the next ten minutes telling her my life story including
what happened with my stalker. “To be honest with you, until I bought the
house, I’d never had nightmares before.”

“Okay. What we are going to do is ...” she responded, “ ... I’m
going to give you this questionnaire. I want you to fill it out for me, and
then I’ll get a better indication of how you’re really feeling?”

She opened a folder on her lap and passed me the paperwork. I
flicked through it and noted the forty-two questions.

“I want you to answer them and circle the statement that applied to
you most in the past week. And there’s no right or wrong answers. Just be
completely honest.”

I picked up the pen from the table and started to read the
questions. Allison turned her attention to Riley and lowered her voice.