Val nodded in agreement. “Edward said disparaging things about his painting after the run-in with Sean.”
“The way he talked about his painting made us think Sean had influenced him negatively,” Theresa said. “Edward had admitted to Janine he hadn’t made any real attempts at artwork since school. He was already feeling very shy about his work.”
“I try not to say bad things about people,” Val said, “but I think Sean needs a therapist.”
“That’s not a bad thing,” Janine said. “I think everyone needs a therapist, but then I am one.” She laughed at her own joke.
“He may have been having a bad day,” Theresa pointed out. “We don’t know what goes on in someone’s life. We can only try to treat them with kindness and hope they benefit from good energy.”
Val rolled her eyes. “Theresa, I swear you’re the only reason we’re going to make it through the pearly gates if there are gates. You’ll pull us on the top of your wings.”
“You’re such a heathen, Val,” Theresa said, but there was amusement in her voice.
Janine burst out laughing. “You’ve stumbled onto an ongoing argument between the two of them. Val is our scientist, and Theresa is a woman of faith.”
“One doesn’t exclude the other,” Theresa said.
“No, it doesn’t,” Val agreed, “but common sense tells me when men like Sean are mean to everyone around them, kindness doesn’t win out. If that were true, at his age, he would already be a decent human being.”
“Maybe,” Theresa said, “but I think we should all try kindness before we resort to being mean ourselves.”
“Telling someone they need therapy isn’t being mean, Theresa,” Val said. “It’s helpful advice. I could have said something entirely different, which is what I was really thinking.”
Shabina struggled to keep a straight face despite hearing the information that Edward and Sean had been in a physical altercation and both had been at the canal near the same place where she had discovered the spices and dates dumped in the bushes.
The three women’s friendship reminded her so much of what she had with Stella, Raine, Harlow, Vienna and Zahra. She might not have known her friends as long, but she knew that relationship was strong and lasting. It was clear to her that these women knew they could count on each other, and they always backed one another up.
Theresa was the one to roll her eyes. “Ignore her, Shabina. She sounds awful, but she truly has a heart of gold. We’ll be regulars in your café for breakfast or lunch for the next couple of weeks. Stella is helping us find a place to stay in Knightly. She knows so many people.”
“She has a line on a little guesthouse—it’s only two bedrooms, not three, but it’s still ideal for us,” Janine said. “A kitchenette and living room and, best of all, it has a pottery studio right on the property. The couple give pottery classes. If I end up staying longer, the couple will consider extending the lease.”
“You must be talking about Tom and Judy Rosewood. They’re incredible and so kind and thoughtful. Their property is beautiful. Have you seen the guesthouse yet?”
“Not yet, just pictures,” Val said. “But it looks picture perfect. The gardens are impressive.”
Shabina had to agree. “I’d better get busy, or my own staff will fire me. I really do hope you get a chance to meet with Tom and Judy. They’re very special people.”
She gave a friendly wave and returned to quickly breaking down tables and setting them up for new customers. She stayed on automatic pilot as she turned the information she’d inadvertently gotten from the women over and over in her mind. She wanted to talk to her friends and Rainier about what she’d discovered.
She helped pack supplies in the SUV Avita and Pablo were driving up to the base camp. Rainier stood with one arm around her, making it easier as she hugged them both goodbye. Shabina had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that their brother was gone. She could see the despair on their faces. They both felt the same way. The fact that Rainier shook hands and assured them that the café’s staff would do whatever they could to help, rather than offer platitudes of hope, convinced her that he had that same bad feeling in his gut as well. Even Vaughn looked grim.
“This is a bad situation,” Tyrone said. “They have to catch this guy.”
“They will,” Rainier said. He did sound confident about that. “Let’s get back to work. All of you have been amazing. I can see why Shabina has nothing but good things to say about you.”
“After we close, I still have to interview a couple of potential waiters and waitresses,” Shabina reminded. “And the cleaning crew is coming in late tonight.”
“Whatever you do, Shabina,” Patsy said, “don’t do your bleeding-heart thing.”
“I’m not like that.”
“Yes, you are,” Vaughn, Tyrone and Patsy said simultaneously.
Rainier nuzzled the top of her head with his chin. “She is,” he agreed.
Chapter Thirteen
Lucca Delgotto’s body was discovered two days later. Vienna had found tracks that appeared as if he’d gone off trail to check on something he might have seen or heard, and he was struck and went down. There was dried blood in the grass and leaves and a jagged rock with dark stains on it. She surmised that he’d been killed or knocked unconscious in that spot and then dragged away from the location.
