“Not a problem,” Dulcie replied. “Old friend?”
Helia nodded and sat again, Collin beside her. “We were close for several years. Then I went to UC San Diego for college, and she went to Tulane in New Orleans, and we drifted.”
“And now she’s back,” Collin said.
“Apparently,” she replied, her gaze darting between her companions. She narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on?” she demanded. She’d bet her house they were holding a different conversation among them than the one happening out loud.
Three sets of eyes studied her.
“Good thing I happened to stop at the store on my way here,” Trish said, setting a six-pack on the table and sliding onto the bench. A pang of annoyance rippled through Helia at the interruption. Only it wasn’t really an interruption because that implied Collin, Dulcie, or James would have answered.
And for whatever reason, she was certain that hadn’t been the case.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Helia wasn’t happy with him. Or Dulcie or Lovell. But what would he say to her? Having three people from her past suddenly show up and want to reconnect wasn’tthatweird, even if one was recently murdered. And yet the odds felt off to him. How, or if, they were tied together, he’d find out. But until he was satisfied theyweren’tintertwined, he’d stick around.
“Where are you moving from?” Lovell asked.
Trish flashed him a smile as she popped the top on one of the drinks. “Miami. Great city, but I’ll admit, I’m not going to miss it. Not much.”
“You were there a long time, weren’t you?” Helia asked.
“Over ten years. I left some good friends behind, but it didn’t feel right to stay once Mark and I separated. Besides, my dad needs the help as he gets older.”
“Sorry about Mark, but glad you have a place to land,” Helia said.
Trish nodded. “You and me both. Hopefully I’ll find a job soon, though.”
“What kind of job?” Helia asked. “I can keep my ears open.”
Trish smiled as both her and Lovell’s orders were called. “I’ll get it,” Lovell murmured, waving Trish to stay seated.
“Mark, my soon-to-be ex, ran a lighting company. I managed all the import and export logistics. I figure I can find a similar gig here, but likely smaller scale. With all the wine shipping out of the region and equipment being shipped in…”
“With each state having their own liquor import laws, I assume that means more work possibilities?” Helia replied.
Trish nodded. “Hopefully. I can work the food angle, too. A lot of restaurants here are locally focused, but several import specialties from abroad.”
Helia nodded, then adjusted her deep green beanie down over her ears. The color made her eyes look like smoky emeralds. Monk wondered if smoky emeralds really existed. He’d heard of smoky diamonds, but not emeralds. If they did, though, they’d look like her eyes.
Dulcie nudged him. “Helia asked if Bacco needs any help? Since Trish is looking for a job.”
The look in Dulcie’s eyes reflected Monk’s opinion—no way in hell would he hire Trish without a thorough background check. Even if he needed help, which he wasn’t sure he did.
“I don’t think so, but I’ll keep you in mind if that changes,” Monk replied. He assumed Bacco had some sort of business manager since Roger certainly hadn’t taken on that role, but he didn’t know who. One more thing to find out.
Both Trish and Helia beamed at him, Helia’s smile wider and more authentic than Trish’s. Like the difference between a ray of sun and a table lamp.
“Sorry for the delay, they forgot to add the extra three al pastor tacos I ordered,” Lovell said, sliding a container in front of Trish and taking a seat across the table from her on the other side of Dulcie.
“Enough about my boring life, what about you three?” Trish asked. “What brings you to our lovely area?” So the rest of the evening went. Trish metaphorically batting her eyes at the threeof them and peppering them with questions, while they deftly avoided anything of substance. They’d each learned the art of misdirection from the cradle, then honed the skill while in the military. Nobody would learn a thing about them unless they chose to share it.
Using the cold weather as an excuse not to stay and finish the six-pack Trish brought, Monk herded Helia and his brothers to his truck. When they arrived at Sundaram, Helia extracted promises from Dulcie and Lovell that she’d see them again as they escorted her safely inside. Her sincerity caused funny feelings in his chest he wouldn’t explore too deeply. And while both brothers glanced at him before answering, they readily agreed.
“I already texted Leo about Trish,” Dulcie said when they left Sundaram. “I didn’t catch a last name, but it’s probably not hard to find a Trish who was married to a guy named Mark who owns a lighting company in Miami.”
“Leo will have that info in less than ten minutes,” Monk agreed. “You want to stay or drive home tonight?” he asked Lovell as they turned into the drive to Bacco.
