Page 12 of Dirty Liars

My brows rose at that. I hadn’t known there’d been anyone before Tom. Emmy Lu and Tom Daly had been dating about a year now. Tom owned the Donut Palace. We tried to support Tom, but it was fortunate he had a day job. Donuts weren’t his gift.

“Who knew you were so rebellious,” I said. “I didn’t hear a word about it.”

“It’s a well-kept secret, so if everyone knows about it tomorrow I’ll know who blabbed.”

I put my fingers together and made a motion to zip my lips.

“I met him on that singles’ cruise I took after the divorce,” she said. “Best week of my life.”

“I didn’t know outlaw bikers went on singles’ cruises,” I said, brows raised in surprise.

“They go all over the world,” she said as if she were an expert.

“You weren’t scared?” I asked. “I heard you have to do all kinds of weird rituals to become one of their old ladies.”

“Nah,” she said. “I told him from the start I was just in it for the sex. I’d never been with anyone but my husband. He was real respectful of my wishes too. I think I’m naturally drawn to a bad boy. He wore jeans and leather for the whole cruise unless he was naked.

“I did get a little worried when I saw him on my flight coming home. I thought maybe he was following me. But it turned out the outlaws have a big presence in Virginia, and he lives in Richmond. My mother would’ve killed me if I’d brought him home. He had tattoos everywhere. And I meaneverywhere.”

My eyebrows rose at that. This was information about Emmy Lu that I didn’t need to know.

“He had a tattoo of a hundred-dollar bill right on his penis,” she said.

“Why?”

“I have no idea,” she said. “But it was a little off putting to stare face-to-face with Benjamin Franklin. He wasn’t an attractive man.”

“I can’t even imagine,” I said, horrified. “Have you seen Lily?”

“She’s in the conference room studying, though when I went in to take her a cup of coffee she’d fallen asleep in her textbook.”

“Ahh, the old learning by osmosis trick,” I said. “I did that a time or two in medical school.”

“Very comforting, Doc,” she said sarcastically.

“I guess it’s a good thing my patients are already dead,” I said, getting to my feet. “I’ll go get her. I’m about to start the autopsies. I hate to miss the outlaw party tonight.”

“It’ll probably be the biggest crowd we’ve ever had. All the locals are real curious what happens at an outlaw wake. I’ve been fielding calls all day. There will be a lot of locals here.”

“Good Lord,” I said, trying to imagine the townspeople of Bloody Mary integrating with the Hells Angels.

“Tom’s coming as soon as he’s done at the office.”

“Jack will be here too,” I said. “But between you and me he’s making sure Sheldon doesn’t end up pierced and tattooed and wearing nothing but a pair of chaps.”

“I’m so glad I voted for him for sheriff,” she said wide eyed, her little Kewpie bow mouth pursed. “I know he’s got the citizens’ best interests at heart.”

“You’ve developed a real sarcastic streak since you started working here.”

“I’ve been practicing,” she said. “And don’t worry about Sheldon. We’ll make sure the funeral home is still standing when everyone leaves at eight o’clock. We’ve got reinforcements.”

“You almost make it sounds like the citizens of Bloody Mary are going to take on a bunch of outlaw bikers.”

“Like I tell my boys,” she said. “Always be prepared.”

I smiled grimly and decided the best thing to do was bury myself in the basement with my autopsy saw.

I waved goodbye and made my way toward the conference room, wondering where Sheldon was lurking. I didn’t have to look far. He was sitting at the conference table with Lily, his head leaned back against the chair and his eyes closed. His earbuds were in and his finger was tapping against the chair.

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