I lead the way into the house. Behind me, Liane asks, "How is your final project going?"
"Final project?" I ask, before remembering the story I gave her at Sammich the day I passed out at the Olive Festival. It's only been a few months, but it seems so long ago now. "It's going great. I've learned a lot."
"Looks like it," Liane says, drifting over to the dining room table. She's looking over all my notes, perusing my whiteboard. It's not that I don't want her to, but it's also sort of that I don't want her to. I'm not ready to share it all with the world.
Liane glances up at me. "You're like a detective."
"Or a criminal justice major," I say with a smile. I make my way to the kitchen, hoping she'll follow. I hear her heels behind me, and she comes to a stop at the kitchen island. "Hugo did a beautiful job with his kitchen remodel. Stunning."
"I agree," I say, handing her a cold bottle of water. She uncaps it and drinks. "Thank you," she says gratefully. "The desert is so dehydrating. Though I guess I don't have to tell you that."
"Nope," I chuckle. "Learned that lesson the hard way. Plus, I grew up in Phoenix."
"Did you? I didn't realize you were from the valley. I took my son there a lot when he was younger. He loved the big water park."
Over time, I've become a master at controlling my reaction when the water park is mentioned. I've had plenty of practice, thanks to the place being a big attraction. Per usual, I nod and smile. "Along with every other kid on a hot summer day. I loved going there, too."
Liane's eyes light up. "You know, Mallory, the oddest thought just popped into my head. Have you thought about collecting and storing your baby's stem cells? There's a company that sends out a kit, and the doctors collect the stem cells at birth. I'm a huge proponent of it."
"I hadn't considered that. Why are you a proponent?" It doesn't seem like Liane's going to be leaving anytime soon, so I go to the pantry, looking for small bites I can make into a platter. If I'm not going to be able to keep working for a little while, I may as well be a good hostess.
"There's so much they can do with stem cells," Lianesays. "I've always been a little worried that if something ever happened to me, I don't know if there'd be anybody who could help me out. Especially since I'm adopted."
Chapter 46
Hugo
Since I toldMallory everything about my dream in the middle of the night, I've been unable to think of little else. It has consumed my morning. I wish I could travel back in time, shake my younger self. Is it possible my dad's killer has been living in my memories all this time?
"Hey," Claudette says, stepping into my office. "My dad asked if you can call him when you get a chance. He thinks he might've remembered something."
I perk up, reaching for the phone.
Claudette's outstretched arm has me pausing. "Keep in mind, my dad might not be the most reliable source of information."
"Thank you for the heads-up," I tell her. Even if that's true, like Mallory said, the smallest, most insignificant detail can be consequential.
Jimmy Esteban answers on the fourth ring.
"Hugo," he says, in lieu ofhello. "I was hoping you'dbe able to call me soon. I had a memory, and at my age, you never know how long those will last."
I breathe a laugh. "Hit me with it."
"The redhead guy. Your dad said he was there trying to buy land, and he wasn't taking no for an answer. But when it came time for him to be questioned by the police, he told them he was an employee. Only reason I know that is because the detective let it slip. Not Towles, the other one who retired and moved to Alaska. "
"Hmm," I answer, because I'm not sure what to say.
"Here's the thing, Hugo. I don't think he wanted to buy land. I think your dad was just saying that."
"Why would he do that?" Last night's dream comes back to me. The same as it always is, the words never changing.
I told you no.
You don't have a choice. He's in charge now.
There is always a choice.
What does it all mean?
