“I’m so sorry,” I said. “That’s awful.”
Eliza nodded. “It is. And it was. It took me almost a year of physical therapy to walk again. The witches and fairies at the hospital did what they could, but they couldn’t put me back together perfectly. I definitely wasn’t going to college on an athletic scholarship. I didn’t even go to college at all.” She wiped away a tear. “A lot of people thought I got what I deserved. Even to this day, I don’t have many friends from high school.”
“And the other girl?” I asked. “Your best friend at the time?”
Eliza smiled ruefully. “She’s a famous actress living in a supernatural town outside Hollywood. She goes by the name Darla Starling now.”
I frowned. “I think I just saw her in something.” I turned to Zane. “Something we watched?”
Zane looked at me and nodded once. “Wicked Witch.”
I turned back to Eliza. “Do you know anything about valentine cards being sent to Mari, Hunter, and Rayna Halter?”
Eliza frowned. “No.”
“Rayna thought you were sending them,” I said.
Her eyes widened. “I wasn’t. I mean, I don’t know them well enough to send valentines.” She hesitated. “Plus, I don’t really like Rayna Halter. I know that’s terrible to admit. I’m sure it stems from high school and how awful I was to her. But the two times I’ve tried speaking with her recently, she’s been nothing but gruff and dismissive with me.”
“But not Mari?” Zane asked.
“No. Mari was different.” Eliza’s voice softened. “Her daughter is on the cheer squad, and since I help coach, we’ve had plenty of chances to interact. Mari was always kind. She didn’t hold my past against me.” She leaned forward in her seat. “I’ve tried making up for my past by volunteering in the community whenever I can.”
Zane nodded. “Can you tell us where you were from two until five o’clock yesterday?”
Eliza leaned back in her chair. “I got off work at three-thirty. Middle school cheerleading practice starts at four. I usually go straight there from work, but I was a little late yesterday because I had to run an errand for the squad.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“This is basketball and wrestling season,” Eliza said. “It’s busy for the girls. Not only are we practicing, but they decorate the halls and lockers of the athletes. So I told the head coach I’d park in the teacher’s lot behind the school—near the cheerleading shed the middle and high school squads share—and bring up all the supplies to make posters. The banners were current enough, but the girls wanted to make new decorations for the lockers. So after they practiced their cheers and dance, they went to work on decorations.”
I wasn’t sure how to ask my next question without sounding insensitive.
Eliza laughed. “I know what you’re thinking. How could I carry all the stuff? I’m not a witch, so I can’t use magic.” Sheglanced down at her cane. “And I wouldn’t be able to carry it all in one haul.”
I nodded. “Yes. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“I have a cart. It’s just a little buggy, really. I can load everything inside the cart and still pull it and use my cane to get around. I enjoy doing it.” She sighed. “It makes me feel relevant and useful.”
“One last question,” Zane said. “What time would you say you made it to practice?”
“Maybe four-fifteen? Something like that. I’m sure if you ask the head coach, Mindy Abernathy, she might be able to tell you.” Eliza smiled. “Mindy is nothing if not punctual. And she likes the cheer squad to be that way as well.”
“Thank you for your time, Eliza,” Zane said.
The three of us stood, and Zane and I headed outside.
“It ended up being a nice day for February.” I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the sun outside. “Maybe the last of the snow will melt off by tonight.”
“I usually don’t mind the winter,” Zane said, “but I’m looking forward to spring.” He winked at me. “And for what’s happening right after spring.”
I gave him my most innocent look. “What’s happening then?”
“Summer cookouts,” he deadpanned.
“Oh,haha,” I said, getting inside the vehicle.
Zane laughed and pulled out onto the street.
