“I just made that up,” she beamed. “So alliterative, don’t you think? Must be all that Wordle I’ve been doing.”
“Are you on drugs?”
“Wordle isn’t a drug! Although it can be addictive.”
Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Be serious, Jo. What are you suggesting?”
“That we drive up to Atlanta and keep an eye on Anthony. We give Crista the proof she needs—not that he is guilty, but that he isn’t.”
Maggie actually considered the idea, which was mad.
“Well, if we make up some reason for me to go home—like my roses need tending—then Anthony will just…behave. Then we’llthinkwe’re right, but we won’tknow.”
“True,” Jo Ellen agreed. “So he can’t know we’re there, but we can very surreptitiously follow him and watch what he does, where he goes, who he goes with…”
Maggie fought a shiver despite the summer sun. The suggestion was so wrong…and so right.
“I can’t agree to that,” she said, giving voice to her thoughts. “If Crista found out, she’d be devastated. If Anthony found out, he’d be furious. If anyone else found out, they’d think I’d gone off the deep end and am an overbearing control freak trying to rule this family like the Queen Mother.”
“You’re not?” Jo Ellen teased.
“I’m attempting to change,” Maggie admitted on a sigh. “Being here—and being with you—has made me remember a time in my life when I was young, carefree, and didn’t control everything.”
“What are you trying to control?” Jo Ellen countered. “Nothing,” she finished before Maggie could speak. “You’re trying to help your daughter and grandchildren. You’re trying to save a marriage. You’re trying to make the world a better place, one secret drive-by at a time.”
Maggie snorted. “Where did you come from, Jo Ellen Wylie?”
“Ithaca, New York, and we could say that’s where we’re going on a road trip but Kate’s there and I don’t really want to drivefrom Destin to Ithaca. Unless you do. I’d do anything for you, Mags.”
The admission touched Maggie, making her stop on the sand and look hard at her closest friend. For a long time, she didn’t speak but simply held Jo Ellen’s gaze.
“I have keys to a house,” Maggie finally whispered, half hating herself for saying it, but also seeing that it was the answer and the only way.
“Keys? To what house?”
“To a neighbor’s house two doors away from Crista and Anthony’s. Barbara Johansen goes to see her daughter in Wisconsin every summer and leaves me the key to take care of her plants.”
“Does she have a camera?” Jo Ellen asked. “Cleaning people? Any witnesses of any kind?”
Witnesses. The word made Maggie’s heart clutch. “No.”
“Good. We’ll stay there and…monitor the situation.”
Maggie felt a smile pull. “You mean spy on Anthony?”
“I mean…we’ll casually observe his comings and goings.”
Maggie launched a brow. “I can’t believe…”
“That you’re about to say yes,” Jo Ellen finished for her.
“Honestly? I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself.”
Jo Ellen let out a giddy laugh. “I can! You’re so by-the-book, Mags. You know I’m going to come at every problem with a more creative solution.”
“And by creative, you mean you’ll lie your way out of whatever predicament we’re in, including jail.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time.” Jo Ellen elbowed her. “Oh! We could call Brick and have a motorcade protection service.”
