The Lush Life (Samantha Jamison Mystery Book 8) (6 page)

Chapter 14

Southern Comfort

“Scarlett?” Martha asked, trying to grasp what I’d said.

“You heard me. What am I to do with her? She’s down in the great room, gulping Southern Comfort of all things.”

Martha sniffed. “Were you hitting the stuff too?”

“I was tempted. It was twenty minutes of her talking nonstop about all my books and how this was going to be a great interview for me. She couldn’t wait for the fans to hear all about me. But then she weirdly segued into ranting about how great the South was and Gone With The Wind.”

“Nerves. Could’ve been the Southern Comfort talking.”

“She took it straight up. I couldn’t wait to run this by you. We need to find out who is sending bogus emails and how Scarlett figures into what is going on here.”

“But what if Clay really did send that torn email to her?”

“It’s possible. He pulled some crazy stunts when I first met him, remember? If Clay did this for my benefit, he could’ve at least warned me beforehand,” I said angrily.

“Don’t be so hard on him. I’m sure he had your best interests in mind, thinking of all the free publicity for you.”

“It would be just like him pull this, wouldn’t it?”

Martha laughed. “You know he loves to surprise you.”

“Well, he’s killing me with this one if he’s responsible.”

“First things first,” said Martha. “Have you emailed Clay about this and given any thought as to where you’re going to put her up?”

I turned away from her briefly. “Yes and yes.”

“And?

I turned back. “Don’t tempt me to answer truthfully.”

“No, I’m serious.”

I threw myself into the nearest chair. “...With you?”

“...Say what?”

“Martha, I have no other choice.”

“Oh, yes you do! I could bunk with you instead.”

“And what if Clay returns?”

“I wouldn’t mind a toss in the hay with that hunk.”

After seeing my reaction, Martha broke up laughing.

“Honest, Martha. If I had an alternative, I’d take it.”

“What is she doing here in the first place?”

“She was invited here for a week.”

“Whatever for?”

“Apparently, Scarlett is the president of a nationwide fan club of mine and won.”

“Won what?”

“A whole week to observe me then interview me.”

Martha sat down. “How can you turn down the chance for more book sales? Either way you’re screwed.”

“No, you are,” I retorted. “You get to bunk with her. I just have to last through one interview with her.”

We both sat their thinking over these turn of events.

Martha grinned. “Well, I guess it won’t kill me. I could use earplugs at night and claim I’m deaf during the day.”

“I don’t know whether to kiss Clay for the free publicity stunt or strangle our bogus sender for evil intentions.”

“Some plan is in place if our bogus sender is involved.”

“If so, that’s a problem. What should we expect next?”

“Don’t you always preach, expect the unexpected?”

“I know, but still...”

“Since when is one of your mysteries easy to solve?”

She had me there.

“We should be patient and let this game play out then.”

“And not get outmaneuvered,” Martha added.

“And hope we can checkmate first before it’s too late.”

“With Scarlett thrown into what’s already in place.”

“Every move
we
take from now on must be deliberate.”

“You’ve had some bizarre gifts mailed to you by fans over the years, but this finger takes the cake,” said Martha.

“Doesn’t look like this one’s a fan, does it?”

Chapter 15

Loquacious Lucas To A Point

Okay, I admit I was trying to avoid talking to Lucas and Scarlet until I heard from Clay, but time was passing. I left Clay voicemails and text messages, but heard nothing in return. He had some explaining to do when he got back.

I have to admit I’ve gone through this old exercise many times before. When Clay worked undercover, it was like he dropped off the face of the earth. I could go multiple days and not hear a word. Then out of nowhere, he’d call or text or just show up unannounced. I learned that going into this relationship and had semi-adjusted since then.

I use that term semi-adjusted lightly.

He adjusted just fine. I had adjusted up to a point. I was either consumed with angst about his safety or worried he’d found someone new. Maybe there were a few times when our roles reversed and he felt unsure. I guess that’s what made our relationship work: keeping each other guessing.

With that in mind, I decided to push my Clay concerns to the side by focusing on our third addition: Lucas.

I caught him working in the gardens. I didn’t want distractions so it was perfect timing. He glanced up at my approach, giving me a warm smile. From what little contact everyone had with him so far, it was hard not to be affected by his easy-going, friendly manner. We liked him.

Forgive this pun.
I was about to dig deeper and hoped he’d be just as easygoing during our little chit-chat.

I was curious about why he wasn’t around until now.

I sat on a nearby bench, deciding to take my time in mentioning anything specific. I figured I’d take the lead on our conversation, but Lucas beat me to it.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked, glancing up at the sky.

“As are the gardens too,” I said, admiring them.

“Thanks. I have a lot of catching up to do around here.”

Odd the
Worths
’ never mentioned him before.

“You caught me off-guard when you showed up,” I said.

“Alicia outsourced my job because I had to leave.”

Interesting.

“Everything must have worked out for you because now you’re back.”

“I heard my replacements weren’t any good.”

“I guess Alicia asked you to come back then?”

Lucas hesitated, his features pinched. “...Not exactly.”

He stared up again, most likely gathering his thoughts on phrasing his next words. “The truth is I called Alicia.”

“You called her?” I repeated, hoping he’d continue.

“We had a falling out before and I left.”

“Oh?” I was dying to know the details, but waited.

“She had misread things and I threatened to leave.”

I guessed. “Did she surprise you by letting you go?”

He nodded. “After being with them ten long years, I was shocked. Alicia and Chris felt like family to me.”

Why had they let him go? What really happened?

Lucas suddenly grinned and stared off again.

What was he thinking?

I gently probed. “And no hard feelings on either side?”

“That’s now a dead issue.”

“...Oh.”

“All that matters is that I’m back and that’s history.”

I was about to speak, but then he unexpectedly reached behind a shrub and whipped out a fresh bouquet of flowers, smiled self-consciously and handed it to me.

“Here, I picked this for you earlier, Samantha.”

I was touched, but at the same time edgy. I hardly knew him and already he was giving me a bouquet.

“...Well, uh, that’s so sweet and thoughtful.”

“I figured we had something in common.”

Still slightly uneasy, but confused, I asked, “How so?”

“I dig up the gardens and you dig up the truth.”

I relaxed somewhat and laughed. “I guess you’re right.”

“Let’s hope you are just as sharp for this one.”

...This one?

I didn’t get it. “Excuse me?”

He laughed. “I
meant
your next one.”

I sat there staring at him. Then... “Oh, you mean my next mystery.”

“Well, I have a lot of gardening to catch up on. Maybe we can talk again another time, okay?”

I was thus dismissed from asking further questions.

“...Sure. Another time,” I said, getting up and walking away. Something made me turn back. Lucas was frowning, looking off again. That familiar smile long gone.

Like the old cliché:

There was more here than met the eye...

Chapter 16

Cutting To The Chase

I figured I’d prepare a chunky vegetable soup while I gave Lucas’s conversation some thought. I loved going over the facts on a mystery while cooking. And this sure was a inexplicable one. Earlier, too fidgety to sit around, Martha, Hazel, and Betty left for the grocery store to pick up some food supplies we needed for all these people.

I set out the cutting board in the kitchen and was about to begin slicing when I felt someone’s presence. I turned to see who it was. Scarlett was staring at me blankly.

She came out of her trance-like state when I said, “Hi.”

What was that all about?

“Could I help you in some way?” she volunteered.

I recalled how excited Scarlett was earlier and relented. I had to make the best of her being around. Being in a more relaxed setting might ease some trepidation about the interview. Most authors loved them, but I was concerned my words might be misinterpreted to my disadvantage.

Trust me, I tend toward paranoia.

I grabbed another board and handed her a chef’s knife.

“Make yourself useful. Aprons, there,” I said, pointing.

She grabbed one, put it on, and picked up the knife.

I turned back to the carrots I was skinning and slicing.

“Is this your first interview?” I asked, prodding her on.

“Yes. I mean no, but with you, yes, obviously.”

Where had Miss Chatterbox gone?

I heard her knife being placed down on the board.

Was I about to hear a confession about something?

I turned back to her. She glanced from her board to me.

“Oh! I forgot to give you the celery and onions to chop.”

She gave me a nervous smile. “I can’t believe I’m here.”

I smiled, handing them over. “Believe it. Get to work.”

She laughed and began to slice. “This reminds me of back home when I’d get together with my momma and brother, Rhett, in the kitchen.”

I stopped cutting, turned and stared at her for a sec.

“...Rhett? ...Oh, of course! That book.”

A door slammed and my senior trio carried in three bags of groceries along with some bad vibes.

Something was off with them.

“What?” I asked, casting them a worried glance.

“Guess who Hazel saw in the organic aisle?” said Betty.

“I have no idea,” I said, my eyes darting to Hazel.

“Someone who shouldn’t be there, but was,” she said.

They all loved drama.

“Get to the point,” I insisted.

Eyeing Scarlett, Martha hesitated. “Well, we...”

How bad could it be?
They were at the grocery store!

Besides, I knew I could always excuse us at any point so we could speak privately. “Go ahead. Spill.”

Martha’s eyes swung back to me. “Your friend, Tony.”

Damn...