Page 56 of Trick of Light
Odd phrasing, thought Gabby. Sometimes that language and accent difference could be confusing. “Do you mean you gave most of it to the police?”
“Yes, most. Some I left at hotel. I call Judy to tell her so no one else drinks. Oh.” She held her stomach. “Such bad pain after.”
Gabby touched her shoulder. “How are you doing now, Safiya? Are you feeling quite better?”
“Yes miss. Better.”
Barnaby cleared his throat to speak again. He was doing the absolute most to keep his tone of voice from alarming Safiya; Gabby was honestly impressed. “How did you know about Tamara and her herbal treatments?”
Safiya frowned, looking puzzled. “Know?”
“Most of the staff at the inn stay there and rarely go to the west side of the island. Did someone tell you about Tamara?”
“Ah.” Her face cleared. “Mr. Carmichael told me when I clean his room. He said a very wise woman lives in the woods and someone he used to love lived there too. He told Carl to take me to her.”
Carl was one of the shuttle van drivers.
“What else did he say about Tamara?” Barnaby asked curiously.
“Mmmm…” Safiya tilted her head, trying to remember. “He said he can never go there because the woods won’t allow him. But he…” She glanced in embarrassment at Barnaby. “He says strange things when he’s…”
“I understand. It’s fine.”
“Was Tamara’s treatment helping?” Gabby asked delicately.
“Yes. I am pregnant now.” She beamed and touched her stomach. “I was so afraid when I was sick, but the baby is still here.” She turned to Barnaby. “My family and my husband and I are so thankful to you.”
Barnaby waved it off, looking embarrassed. “I’m just glad you’re feeling better.”
After they left her little apartment and were strolling down the brick sidewalks of downtown Portland, Barnaby said, “Told you she’d remember me fondly.”
“You were right. I guess you didn’t need me here after all.” She winked at him.
“The hell I didn’t.” He touched a hand to her shoulder to steer her around a rough patch in the brickwork. “You asked all the good questions. Which reminds me.” He pulled out his phone and hit a number. “Judy, it’s Barnaby. I just spoke to Safiya and she said she gave you a packet of tea to dispose of. I know it’s been a minute, but do you still have it?”
Ohh, good thinking. Gabby flashed him a thumb’s up.
“Really? That’s great news. Can you send it in at the next opportunity? Ferry boat, speed boat, whatever vehicle is headed into town. We’re in Portland, not Harbortown. Excellent. Thanks. We’ll be back later tonight. Did I say we. I meant I. Never mind that. Goodbye.”
Was that a blush on Barnaby’s cheeks, above the thick black of new beard growth? Cute.
“She said she still has the tea and there’s a water taxi taking some guests headed to Portland heading out soon. We can pick it up in a couple of hours.”
“Do you want to test the tea again? The police already did that, didn’t they?”
“Yes, but there have been a few inconsistencies in what the police have said. Didn’t you say that Buzzy never took anything that Tamara gave him?”
Gabby saw where he was going with this. “You think the police might be fudging things.”
“It’s always possible. No harm in checking their work, right?”
“My brother might disagree. He’s a police officer in Atlanta,” she explained.
“Fair enough. I promise not to check his work.”
She smiled at that. “Don’t worry, he’s used to me and my journalistic ways. So long as I don’t break any laws, we’re good. Where will you get it tested?”
“I’m going to go through Luke. I know it could put him in an awkward position, but he can handle it.”
