Page 50 of Eldritch

Sybil snorted. “Why? Why would Clarice do that? And if it isn’t her, who would it be?”

“Don’t know.”

Their conversation stalled, and as they came closer to Estes Park, Sybil remembered to look for Clinton’s. “Ah, there it is. The bar and grill.”

Clinton’s sat back from the road far enough to contain a sizable parking lot. The front of the building faced to the southeast. Even at this hour it looked hopping.

“Looks like an okay place,” Letisha said.

“Hope I’m not making a mistake having dinner with him. When we’re done with the mansion clean up, we’ll be going back to Denver. It’s not like it could develop into anything.”

“You’re right.”

Sybil noted her friend’s solid resignation and certainty in tone. “But if I’m just out for a little fun, who needs development, right?”

Letisha laughed, but it didn’t have a hint of humor in it. “I gave you horrible advice last time with Taggert when I said to give him a chance.”

“You couldn’t have known Taggert was a Grade A, number one asshole when I first met him.”

“No, but I wish I had.”

“Speaking of asshole,” Sybil said, “Taggert tried calling me.”

She heard, rather than saw, Letisha straighten and turn toward her. “What?”

“He didn’t leave a message. His name came up on my cell phone. I should have blocked the number by now but didn’t think of it.”

“You didn’t call him back, did you?” Letisha’s question held a sharp worry.

“No way. I blocked the number.”

Letisha breathed a sigh that sounded full of relief. “Good.”

Estes Park came into view moments later, and they concentrated on finding the pharmacy. They located it with ease, and Letisha went in while Sybil waited in the van. She cracked open the window and took in the air. The continued cloudiness in the area and the scent of moisture. She knew the temperatures could drop and of course that would mean snow. She wanted the night out at the bar and grill, and she might not achieve that if it snowed.

It would feel good to have a date or even just a new friend. Albeit a hot friend, but someone other than a woman to talk to for a change of pace.

Letisha exited the pharmacy in record time, and she smiled when she jumped into the van.

Letisha held up her bag of pills. “Doc is a lifesaver.”

“Thank goodness. Now you’ll feel better.”

She’ll feel better and then so will you.

Sybil’s internal monitor, the critic that kibitzed, couldn’t stop telling her what she meant. Sybil’s muscles tightened.

Yeah, she would feel better.

Because then Letisha won’t be grumpy. Won’t say something that triggers you. Won’t do anything that bothers you.

The thoughts came out of nowhere. Sybil knew her own mind enough to understand why.

“Something wrong?” Letisha said as she opened the pill bottle.

Sybil sighed. “No.”

Letisha downed a pill with a water chaser. “That’s bullshit.” Letisha turned her gaze on Sybil, her mouth tilted in that half smile, half frown she could produce since she was four years old. Letisha took another swing of the water. “Spill it.”

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