“Just how you and I know each other, how often I see you, what kind of mom I think you’ll be. And then she got all my information for the official report—where I live, where I work, and all that.”
I flipped the grilled cheese, the butter sizzling in the pan. “Thanks, Ellie. Sorry you got dragged into all this.”
Then my eyes came to rest on the phone with the olive-green case, sitting on the kitchen table.
“Hey, Ellie—I’ve got a question for you.”
The next day after work, I headed over to the bistro. As usual, I took a seat at the bar—which I couldn’t help but notice was getting more and more difficult, with my belly in the way.
“Hey, mama.” Ellie leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “We have those quesadillas you love on special tonight. Hungry?”
“I’m pregnant, so yes—always.”
She grinned. “I’ll get you some. By the way, I finally connected with Jenna. She’s on her way here.”
“Oh, good! I haven’t talked to her in a few weeks.”
“She’s been visiting her mom, I guess.” Ellie looked up as a waiter walked by. “Oh—there’s Marcus. I’ll be right back.”
A minute later, Ellie came back followed by a young man in a white shirt and black pants, a dark-red waiter’s apron tied around his waist. “This is Marcus. He thinks he can help.”
I pulled my spy’s phone out and slid it across the bar toward him. Marcus dropped it in his apron pocket.
“So …” I said a little awkwardly. “How is this going to work?”
Marcus’s expression was like stone. “I do my thing, then I let you know what happens. I need a hundred up front.”
O-kay. A no-questions kind of guy.Thankfully Ellie had prepared me for the cost. I pulled out the five twenties I’d gotten from the ATM earlier. He pocketed the cash and walked away.
“Let me go get your dinner, Savvy,” said Ellie.
Forty-five minutes, two quesadillas, and three iced teas later, Jenna finally walked into the bistro, dressed in a bulky sweatshirt and black leggings. I wrapped her in a big hug. “Hey, you! I’ve missed you.”
Jenna smiled. “Aw, that’s sweet. I’ve missed you guys too.”
I couldn’t help but notice how tired Jenna looked. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her skin looked a little pale and waxy. Her usually lush white-blonde hair hung around her face, thin and stringy.
She perched on the barstool next to me. “Ellie told me about all the drama. I can’t believe that horrible woman posted the baby’s gender online! Unbelievable. Honestly.”
I snorted. “You haven’t even heard the latest.” I told her about catching my stalker and getting a hold of her phone. “One of the waiters here at the bistro is going to see if he can figure out the passcode so I can find out who put her up to all this.”
Jenna’s eyes widened. “Wow—that would be amazing.”
“Well, fingers crossed,” Ellie said. “Marcus isn’t much of a talker, but I’ve heard stories. Supposedly he’s got some impressive hacking skills.”
I turned back to Jenna and smiled. “So, you’ve been visiting your mom?”
“Yeah, this past week. It was nice.”
“Where does she live?”
“Walnut Creek.”
“Oh, yeah—I pass through there sometimes on my way to my mom’s. She’s in Pleasanton.”
“Small world,” Jenna said. Then her smile fell. “My father passed away suddenly a year ago. Heart attack. My mom has been really lonely. I felt bad, I hadn’t been to see her in over a month.”
“Oh, gosh—I’m so sorry, Jenna. That must be really tough.”
