Page 89 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Voice booming, Tony said, “Hannah said you were on a mystery vacation. What the fuck?” Before she could respond, his voice softened. “Alex, I need you.”

“Horny?” Alex deadpanned.

Tony paused for far too long. “It’s-It’s nothing like that.” His voice faltered.

She thought she heard a slight sob. “Tony, what is it? Is something wrong?” Alex heard a faint, rare sniffle from her cop boyfriend, making her chest tighten. She pressed her phone to her ear. “Oh, my God. Is Joey okay?”

“He’s fine.”

“Then what is it?” Placing the phone on speaker and onto the passenger seat, she eased onto the road, her stomach balling into knots. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Let me guess. Your precious Nikki needs you?”

She heard another sniffle, but Tony attempted to cover it with a cough. Gripping the wheel, Alex said, “Tell me already. You’re scaring me. Dammit, Tony. Where are you?”

A faint, “I’m at Walgreens,” was all he offered.

Alex pushed on the gas pedal. “Shit. A robbery?”

“I wish.” Tony cleared his throat. “It’s Mrs. Magilicutty.”

Smiling into the phone, Alex said, “I remember your mentioning her. Isn’t she the sweet old lady who shoplifts?”

Tony’s voice lightened a beat. “The one and only.”

“What did she steal this time? Wait. Let me guess. She pocketed green nail polish, pink hair dye, or a greeting card? Or maybe socks or—”

“She’s dead.” Tony’s voice was flat.

Alex’s heart plunged. Even though she had never met the woman, she knew Tony had always come to her rescue, paid for her shoplifting, and often said Mrs. Magilicutty reminded him of his late grandmother. Lowering her voice, she said, “I’m sorry. You must be crushed, Tony. How and where did this happen?”

“It happened right here inside Walgreens.” He paused. “I’m still at the store writing my report.”

“How did she . . . die?”

Tony bellowed as if he wanted all of the customers at the store to hear. “Some new hire—a stupid, show-off punk—obviously didn’t get the memo to call me for Mrs. Magilicutty’s shoplifting antics. The little prick practically accosted the old woman and scared her to death.” Tony’s voice broke. “Because of him, she had a fucking heart attack according to the first responders.”

“Oh, no.” Alex shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. “That’s horrible. I can’t believe the poor woman died at Walgreens, her favorite store.”

A long, loud sigh escaped Tony’s lips. “Not of her own volition. Not in my opinion, anyway.”

Passing every car on the road, Alex said, “I’m on my way. Is it the Walgreens on Campbell or Republic Road?”

Tony said, “Campbell,” and hung up.

At the next light, Alex did a U-turn. As furious as she got with her boyfriend and as much as she hated his ridiculous family baggage, she knew he had a soft spot for this old woman and had bailed her out more times than Alex could remember. Tears filled her eyes.I’m on my way, Tony. What a way to end a vacation—and a life.

Chapter 80

Before pulling into the chaotic scene in the Walgreens lot, Alex noticed Tony’s police car, an ambulance, fire truck, and orange traffic cones preventing onlookers from entering the scene. Travel-weary, she persevered and texted him.Can I come inside? I’m in the parking lot.

After what seemed like an eternity, Tony responded.Not yet. I’m interrogating the little bastard.

Leaning against the headrest, Alex waited. And waited. Her thoughts flitted to Gage for a moment but she squelched them.Tony needs me. I’ll have to figure out my life later.

Eventually, two paramedics wheeled out a gurney with the poor woman under a covered sheet. The responders didn’t bother with lights or sirens since Mrs. Mcgillicuddy was obviously already dead. Alex made a cross sign over her chest, even though she wasn’t Catholic, nor overly religious. Craning her neck, she searched for Tony as employees and a few customers exited the store.

Once the ambulance and firetruck drove off and a worker removed the traffic cones, she bolted inside. Traipsing through several empty aisles, Alex eventually spotted Tony sitting in a chair by the pharmacy. Head down, he feverishly filled out paperwork. A pimply, red-faced kid stood beside him. From the splotches on the kid’s face, Alex discerned he was the culprit and had been crying. A lot. She noticed the young employee wasn’t in handcuffs but Tony obviously wasn’t letting the guy out of his sight.

Employees stole glances and whispered behind the counter. A few remaining customers stared but most gave the officer—her boyfriend—a wide berth. Once again, Alex wished Tony weren’t a cop. Sure, she loved a man in uniform—and fully admitted the allure she’d had her entire adult life for uniform-wearing men—but instances like this brought his unique position home. Being a positive person, she didn’t like being surrounded by negativity. Tony dealt in that world daily.

---