Page 79 of Fortune's Control
I was destined to repeat every conversation today.
“I’ll see you both at the game this weekend. Appreciate it.” I pointed at the door, and Jack followed me out.
“Are you running for mayor?” Jack asked as I started up the truck’s ignition.
“No way in hell. I have other plans.”
“Do you?”
His strange smile got to me. “What does that mean?”
“Not that long ago, you needed to be dragged out of the house. I forced you to join us at the Gator Tale that night, if you’ll recall. Now, for some strange reason, you’re making plans. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.”
“You should talk less.”
“Is that an order?”
“In this case, absolutely.”
He kept talking. “Where are we going? Home is in the opposite direction.”
“I have one more quick stop.”
*****
I pulled up to Evelyn Carter’s home and placed the truck in park. “Hell.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s for sale.” I double-checked the numbers on the mailbox to confirm the address.
“Are you moving?”
“Sophie interviewed a woman who lived here several years ago. She gave me this address.”
Jack’s lips tightened at my sister’s name. “Is she moving here?”
I couldn’t tell if it was hope or worry in his voice. “Sophie moving back to Fortune’s Creek? I doubt it. She’s moved on, and she isn’t coming back.”
He looked out the window to hide his expression. “We ended years ago, Shane. Your sister and I are old news. You don’t need to worry about me.”
I’d believe Jack once he kept a permanent job. Driftless and listless, that was my oldest friend. Rather than push, I changed the subject. “It’s possible Lilah’s grandmother lived here.”
I grabbed my phone from the center console and dialed before putting it on speakerphone. “Dean, get Alex to run the name Evelyn Carter for me. I have an address, but it isn’t her latest.” I gave the number and street name as Jack crossed his arms and leaned back against the door. “Put a rush on this for me. Also, one more thing.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” Dean said, like it pained him.
“You’re doing it again,” Jackpointed out.
“It’s fine. Telling Shane to ask is like telling a shark not to eat the yummy, yummy people,” Dean said.
Deciding it was best to ignore the comparison between me and a flesh-eating creature from the deep, I kept going. “This may be Lilah’s grandmother, so keep it quiet.”
“Is there a reason to believe she’s broken any laws?” Dean asked.
“What? No, I want an address.” We hung up, and I turned the truck around to go home. “We need to stop and get ice cream first.”
27-Lilah
