“Peach rhubarb apple smoothie,” he said.
I decided caution was going to be a strength if I was going to get through all the entries, and picked up the cup. I sniffed the fruity drink before taking a small mouthful. “You’re avoiding answering me.” I took a second sip.
“We are in the middle of something very public here,” he said.
“You started this while we were right in the middle of this very public something. It must be important if it’s dragged you away from your ice yoga or Tibetan throat-clearing or whatever it is you do on Thursday nights. What’s going on? Nine, by the way. Milkshake goodness. Sweet and tart.”
“You’ve answered my question. There’s no more for me to say.”
“Travail.”
He raised his eyebrows at my use of his first name. No one used his first name.
“If you know something about Ryder or this town, I need you to tell me. We had a man murdered on Monday. I do not need any other grim surprises.”
“Why do you think it’s murder? Hot lemon rhubarb tea. Sweetened with organic blackberry honey.”
I sniffed, sipped. “Four. Honey’s too powerful. I can’t taste the rhubarb. I can’t believe I’m complaining about that. Heim didn’t hit himself in the back of the head and throw himself into the ocean. The gods agree.”
“Gods.” He shook his head, as if they were of no consequence.
“And?”
“Hot chocolate rhubarb with strawberry marshmallow.”
I stared at the pink marshmallow dissolving into pink slime that coated the top of the slurry of pinkish-brown liquid. “Well, this one isn’t going to win on presentation. Do you know who killed Heim? Do you suspect Ryder?”
“Do you?”
A chill washed down my spine. I took a drink of the cocoa, trying to remain objective about the beverage and my almost-boyfriend as I weighed the information that the man I thought I was falling for might be involved in illegal activities. Could Ryder be a killer?
“Two. Too heavy on the dark cocoa. Needs more pink slime. I don’t…I don’t think so.”
“Is that your head or your heart speaking, Delaney Reed? Rum rhubarb screwdriver.”
Alcohol. Finally.
“You came up here telling me someone might threaten me over hiring Ryder. You led me to believe he could be a murderer. Is there another conclusion you’d like me to jump to?”
I sniffed the cocktail and hoped they’d gone generous on the rum. Tipped the cup and took a long swallow.
The air was thick again, the sounds muted.
“Why did you hire him?”
“We needed help. Myra and Jean thought he could help. He said yes.”
“Is that all?”
“That is all. Do I need to fire him? Watch him?”
Arrest him? Search his house? Fall out of love with him?
“No,” he said quietly. “This is a matter of my own. It will not affect the town, or the people within it. It’s all good. If it changes, I’ll let you know. How’s the screwdriver?”
“A solid six. Rhubarb is a refreshing, if slightly disgusting twist. Don’t write down the disgusting part. How long have you been watching him?”
“Rhubarb strawberry lime daiquiri. Leave it. I’m an old man. Sometimes I am too curious for my own good. It’s why I meditate. You should try it.”
