Page 58 of Murder in the Lighthouse

“I don’t know. It just happened. When Delia decided to fly out, how could I say no? When Theo and Trish said they had nowhere to go, what was I supposed to do? The same thing happened with Lacey Jarnigan, who became so overwhelmed with emotion that we solved Sam’s case that she started crying for the fourth time.”

“She did send us a generous check.”

“So did the Heywoods.”

“Who else? Don’t tell me you invited the Heywoods?”

“Okay, I won’t tell you.”

“Jeez. I know Birk and Jade aren’t on the list because Kelly and Beckett are hosting this year. So, who else did you invite?”

“Don’t look at me like that. We always planned to get the band together—Nigel and Gordon, their wives, and Graeme and Janet—to ask for details about the Swedish tour.”

“So, Indigo is coming here?” He thought of the dynamic between mates, the idea of arguments breaking out, and the ever-present needling that went on. Adding alcohol would be like throwing gasoline on a fire.

She noted the skeptical look on his face. “Just for the day. They aren’t spending the night.”

“Right. By my count, we’re only up to fourteen, including Austin, Delia, Maeve, and Jack into the mix. That’s doable. Who else did you invite?”

Brogan stiffened her spine in a defiant gesture and held her head higher. “Jack and Maeve are stopping in Santa Barbara to pick up her sister. Why Graeme and Janet couldn’t simply offer Felicia Watts a ride is beyond me.”

“Janet ride with the cook? Please. She’s snootier than Graeme. Who else?”

“I asked Professor Lockney, Amalie, to join us. We’ve become quite close over the last week, exchanging text messages as she gets closer to finding Britta. She’s bringing a date.”

“Fine. Who else?”

“There’s Milo. He’s iffy, though. He might spend the four days with his dad. He hasn’t decided. But I thought he and Austin might hit it off if Milo decided to drop by. Then there’s Eastlyn and Cooper. Eastlyn had to work the night of our Halloween party. The least I could do was invite her for Thanksgiving.”

“And?”

“It’s worth mentioning that technically, I didn’t invite Barry and Marta. Theo and Trish did. However, I’m not saying no to parents who’ve lost both their children.”

Lucien let out a sigh, a signal he had given up. “This table seats twelve, fourteen if they’re rubbing elbows. How do we provide additional seating for so many more?”

“The room is large enough to bring in the outside table and the kitchen table to create a U-shape,” Brogan suggested. “Throw a tablecloth on each table, and you have space for twenty-five.”

Lucien checked the weather app on his phone. “I have a better idea. Easier. We could seat them all outside at one long table. Thanksgiving dinner on the terrace. Sounds great, right? The weather is supposed to cooperate with no rain in the forecast, and the temperature will be near seventy degrees. We could borrow tables from the keeper’s cottage.”

Brogan made a face. “Folding tables? That’s a bit tacky.”

“The keeper’s cottage is for community events. They have six folding tables available to borrow for weddings, receptions, church events, and the like. I’m not sure now is the time to get picky.”

“I don’t know. I prefer to hold off until we can come up with a better solution. By the way, did Theo ever explain how Sam came to be there? At the lighthouse? And how Keith Shepherd had a key to get inside?”

“Don’t try to change the subject. We need to work Thanksgiving out first before we start talking about Sam’s murder.”

“Okay. Fine,” she said, pulling a chair out and plopping into it. “I think eating outside is a good idea. But what about preparing the food? I’m getting nervous already about feeding so many people. Your dad is kinda picky and won’t hesitate to knock whatever it is I serve. He’ll make some snide remark about how I should’ve let Maeve handle the cooking. He’ll be okay with turkey or ham. Still, I need insider information about what he’s allowed to eat now. Remember, he hinted that Janet had him on Keto, watching his carb intake before switching to a Mediterranean diet. Your dad is the pickiest eater in this entire group of guests. Don’t deny it.”

“Why would I deny it when it’s true? You’re having twenty people over, and it’s Graeme you’re worried about? Who cares what diet Janet has him on? He’ll have various stuff to pick from or not eat at all. If he doesn’t like the sides we offer, then if we’re lucky, maybe he’ll bring his own food. We’ll make it work. We always do.”

“You say that about everything. That should be our family motto. I heard a rumor yesterday at Murphy’s Market. Theo and Trish have been spending so much time together that tongues are wagging. The gossip is that they are much more thancolleagues,” Brogan said, wiggling her eyebrows up and down. “They’re inseparable and not because of the murder case against Shepherd. Hence, spending Thanksgiving together.”

“I heard another rumor at the hardware store that Theo is lobbying to get her a job here in Pelican Pointe. She wants to leave the sheriff’s department because they did nothing to find Jill’s killer. And Brent could use the manpower. He’s always wanted to add an additional officer. I’m waiting for someone to ask if we can swing that deal and make it happen.”

“Sure, we could build up the police force until no one needs a websleuth. We’ll build ourselves right out of a job. Maybe that isn’t such a bad idea. Each case we take on gets darker and darker.”

“Murder is always dark,” Lucien noted. “It takes a toll on everyone involved. But something tells me this guest list will fall apart eventually.”

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