Who exactly was my sister?
The next box contains overdue bills, old magazines, junk mail, and various other worthless pieces of paper. So far today, I’ve discovered two things about my sister. One, she liked sexy clothes, and two, she was a borderline hoarder.
I check the time and realize that I have to go or be late for my appointment. Sally’s so skittish I don’t dare show up a minute late as she’ll most likely leave.
Entering the Pumpkin Rose coffee shop, I glance around, not sure what Sally looks like. I see a petite woman huddled in the corner by herself. She’s the right age, and she’s clearly nervous. I walk up to her with a smile on my face.
“Sally?”
She looks up and nods. I sit down. Sally’s hands shake as she lifts a coffee mug to her lips. Very odd. What does she have to be nervous about?
“Did anyone follow you here?” Her eyes dart around the room. She eyes a man just walking in the door with suspicion. He’s oblivious to her scrutiny. After a few seconds, she must deem him to be harmless and turns back to me.
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure?” Mistrust is written all over her face.
“Pretty sure. Are you concerned about something?” I’m puzzled. There’s more to this mystery than I imagined.
“Yes. They won’t appreciate me talking to anyone.” Sally glances around but no one is sitting within earshot.
“They? Who’s they?”
“Julie Bliss and her boyfriend.”
“What boyfriend?”
“The one she had while married to Gary Bliss.”
Though there have been rumors of a boyfriend, no one has substantiated them until now. At least, not to my knowledge. I’m certainly not privy to everything that Carla and Michella uncovered, but Gardenia did mention that she had suspicions.
“Tell me everything you know. Do you mind if I record this?”
Sally fidgets and tears up a napkin, leaving a little pile on the table. I wait her out, not pushing too hard—yet.
“I guess it’s okay,” she concedes, clearly uncomfortable. I turn on the recorder app on my phone.
“Thank you. The PI Gardenia hired has tried to contact you, but you would never speak to them. Why are you speaking to me now?”
She surprises me by almost smiling. “Because I’m a fan.”
“A fan?”
“Of your writing on All Hockey News. Why aren’t you writing for them anymore?”
I’m not here to talk about me, but if it makes her more comfortable, I will. “I felt increasingly compromised regarding the types of stories I was required to write.”
“Why?”
“Because All Hockey News isn’t grounded in the facts, more like the drama and sensationalism that gets clicks and advertiser dollars.”
“Oh.” She appears at a loss for words.
“I’m exploring other options. Right now, I’m doing a side job to investigate the death of Gardenia Bliss’s father, which I explained over the phone.”
“You did.” Sally glances at her phone. “I don’t have much time. I have another obligation within the hour.”
“Okay, let’s get down to business then. Tell me about the night Mr. Bliss died. Were you home?”
