He blinks, mouth dropping open. He’s coming to the same conclusion as me. There are things he’s forgotten. “I guess I got a quick glimpse of the driver. It was a man.”
“This information is critical, Billy. What else are you forgetting?”
His arms fly up. “I didn’t even realize I knew that. I’m not purposefully keeping secrets, you dementor.”
I don’t miss his reference to the soul-sucking demons fromHarry Potter. Ava was obsessed with that franchise, so I’m very familiar. Lifting my hands into a meditative position, I close my eyes and focus on deep breathing. I will not allow this unalive asshole to get to me anymore.
When I’m well and calm, I relay the information to Corinne, and she dives back into her research. Ten minutes later, she yells, “Bingo.”
“What did you find?” I say, crowding over her to get a look.
“Personal space.” She swats at the air, but I don’t back away. “There is likely paint transfer, from which a forensic investigator should be capable of, at the very least, identifying the make of thevehicle.” I nod, allowing her to continue. “Chances are, whoever caused the accident is local. We rarely get out-of-towners in Knox Harbor.”
“Which means it should be fairly easy to narrow down the suspects. Especially knowing the driver was male.”
“Correct.” Her words garner hoots from Lanie and Nina.
“Good. Okay... Billy, anything else?” I call over my shoulder, refusing to look in his direction.
“No. I was too busy clutching the wheel, trying not to die.”
I roll my eyes at his annoying sarcasm. “I sometimes wonder why I even try with you.”
“You want me gone.”
Truer words have never been spoken.
“How do I explain this sudden tip from my anonymous source without Nick thinking I’m up to no good?”
“Oh, you’re up to no good, but only where he’s concerned. Everybody knows you’re tripping over yourself to bang the guy.”
I growl at Billy, drawing the attention of the three women in the room.
“I won’t even ask,” Lanie says, lifting her eyebrows into her hairline.
“Seriously, girls. Help me figure this out.”
Nina taps her chin, Lanie bites her bottom lip, and Corinne picks at her long, black-painted fingernails. For a moment, I think they’re going to leave me hanging.
Lanie clears her throat. “I call to order the first official meeting of the Gin and Tarot Club. Today’s mystery... the Sideswiper of Spooky Hollow.”
I choke, glancing around to find Nina excessively blinking and Corinne’s left eyebrow peaked into a perfect point, her nose crinkled and lips pursed.
“The what club?”
She motions around to our glasses, each filled with gin. With the heaviness surrounding us, we’ve all graduated from wine to the stronger alcohol. Corinne gets all the credit for the newly acquired taste of Tanqueray. Unlike hers, mine needs a mixer. Tonight, it’s tonic in my glass.
“With your new abilities, Corinne’s use of the internet and tarot talents, Nina’s access to the mayor, and my... well... drinking skills, we have an opportunity to make a difference in people’s—and ghost’s—lives. We can’t squander that.”
“I’m not following,” Nina says, looking around the room for anyone to come to her aid.
“Of course you aren’t.” Lanie rolls her eyes. “We should start a club that utilizes these assets to solve crimes.”
“Gin is an asset?” I attempt to tamp down my amusement.
Lanie doesn’t need any encouragement. She’s seconds away from going all Girl Scout leader on us. Give her any power and she’ll run with it.
“Come on, guys. Admit it, it’s a good idea.”
