Page 105 of DeLucas After Dark

“You can’t replace people!” I turned toward him, frustrated and tired of the word games.

“Every action has a reaction. If the first thing didn’t happen, would your dilemma even be possible?”

The first thing … Eddie borrowed the money, which helped his wife to become pregnant. Simone…

“No.” Because she wouldn’t be alive for me to meet and fall in love with.

“Exactly.”

I don’t know if knowing that made me feel better or worse.

“Still stunned, I see.” He chuckled. “How’d the dinner go?”

“Damn good. That wine you recommended was a win. I owe you for that.”

“No, I’m the one that owes you.” He smiled to himself.

“Why is that?” I squinted.

“I got to do it one more time.”

“Do what?’

“Did you ask her yet?”

“Simone? Yes. She accepted.”

“So, her mother liked you?” He looked at me as if I was missing something.

“She did.”

“Still stunned.” He chuckled. “Maybe you should return to the scene of the crime.”

The alley Eddie was murdered in. No way. I heard a car in the opposite direction, and I turned my head to see Denny pull into the carport.

“Her mother’s house.”

I turned toward the man to find him gone. I checked the area and didn’t see him anywhere.

“Boss?” Denny had walked over to see what I was doing. He was reaching for his gun, ready to shoot.

“It’s nothing.” I checked the area again with only my eyes. For him to be an older fellow, he was quick on his feet.

I walked to the car and got in when Denny opened the door. My eyes kept looking for the man even as I sat there.

“Where to?” He asked.

Her mother’s house.

“Simone’s mother’s house.”

“On it.”

As we pulled away, I couldn’t help but realize how familiar the man’s presence felt. I’d never seen him before the night I purchased wine and now I’ve bumped into him again. That’s twice I’ve seen him, and he’s given me sound advice. I hoped he was right about going to Mrs. Flowers’ address. The last thing I needed to do was make this worse.

* * *

I pulled up to find a man standing on Mrs. Flowers porch talking to her in what seemed like a heated argument. What was it about?

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