Page 45 of Little Empty Promises

Though we’d never met, I’d started forming a picture in my mind of what I thought he’d be like.

“I guess I should tell you why I stopped by,” I said.

“I guess you should, although I bet I already know, since I’m aware of what you do for a career and all.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard all about what happened to your neighbor, Cordelia Bennett, and the murder at the local library.”

“We heard.Our heart breaks for her.We just hope the killer is caught soon so she can move on in peace.I imagine her soul won’t rest until the man who killed her is brought to justice.”

I found her comment curious.

I, myself, didn’t know if I believed in such things as spirits not being able to cross over to the great beyond, or wherever it was people went when their time was up.Even so, the idea of being able to offer someone peace through justice put a smile on my face.

“I’ve been hired to investigate Cordelia’s homicide,” I said.

Kayla’s eyes widened.“Oh?I didn’t know.”

“It just happened.Cordelia’s sister is in town, and she’s not interested in the investigation being drawn out any longer than it needs to be.”

“Makes sense.I’d want the same thing for my sister.”

“I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about Cordelia, since you and Seth were her neighbors.”

“You betcha.I’d be glad to help in any way I can, and I expect Seth will feel the same way.Before you knocked on the door, I was just about ready to make a salad for lunch.I have plenty to make two salads.Would you like one?”

“I appreciate it, but I have lunch plans a bit later today.Why don’t you go ahead and make your salad while we talk?”

I took a seat at the kitchen table, and she opened the refrigerator, pulling out a variety of veggies and a handful of other items.She grabbed a bowl out of the cabinet and started throwing everything in.

“How well did you know Cordelia?”I asked.

“Not super well.When we saw each other, I was polite, and she was polite in turn.She was … how do I say this … a bit standoffish.And you know what’s crazy?I’m the extrovert, but she talked to my husband more than she talked to me.”

The revelation was unexpected.

“I got the impression Seth avoids people whenever he can,” I said.“Maybe I was wrong.”

“Oh, no.You’re right on every possible level.Except, he recognizes a fellow introvert when he sees one.Kindred spirits, as they say.They both liked to read, and when she learned that about him, they struck up a conversation with him one day, and then she started loaning him some of her books.”

“Did he ever talk to you about her?”

“Not much.He’s never been a big conversationalist, though.He keeps a lot of his feelings close to the vest.”

“It must be difficult for you,” I said.

“It can be.”

Kayla had been outgoing and spirited from the moment we met, but now I was starting to see a different side of her, a somber side.I had no doubt she’d married for love, and maybe Seth had too.But her needs had never been met, and the day had come when she couldn’t lie to herself anymore.I wondered if part of her outlook and optimism with the divorce was a front or a façade to mask the true pain she was feeling.

“When you said Cordelia was a bit standoffish, you aren’t the only one who felt that way about her,” I said.“It doesn’t seem like she allowed many people into her inner circle.”

“Your mother was as inner circle as it gets.”

“My mother has never seen a challenge she wasn’t willing to accept.When it came to Cordelia, I’ll bet she pushed her way into her life, whether Cordelia wanted her to or not.”

Kayla drizzled some Italian dressing over her salad and laughed.“Your mother does have a way with people.It’s a quality few of us have, not to the degree she does, anyway.”

I supposed I was like my mother when it came to persistence, except we excelled at it in different ways.I’d always considered myself an introvert, but when push came to shove, I shoved when the need arose.

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