Page 70 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Uh-oh,” Juliette said.

Ana shielded her face from the other customers, looking toward the parking lot, and giving Doc and Juliette a front-row seat to what looked like a heated discussion. She ended the call and shoved her phone into her bag.

“Someone pissed her off,” Juliette said as Ana squared her shoulders and flagged down the waitress.

They watched her pay, and when she got up to leave, Doc said, “Looks like she got stood up.”

“Good. Then we can talk to her sooner.” Juliette reached for the door handle.

Doc grabbed her arm. “Not here. Since your father didn’t show up, we’re moving to plan B, remember?” Plan B entailed following Ana until they could speak with her alone. “If you confront her in public, you’re not going to get anything out of her. All it’ll do is alert your father to what we’re doing.”

She sank back against the seat with a sigh. “Okay. Let’s follow her.”

Doc kept his distance as they followed Ana’s car from the café to the bank, the gas station, a gift shop, and finally to her neighborhood. They parked down the street and waited for her to go inside.

“Want to go over our plan one more time?” Doc asked.

She shook her head. “It’ll make me more nervous. Are you one hundred percent sure that her brother was locked up when I wrote those letters?”

“Yes. According to the reports, he was serving a one-year sentence for possession of illegal drugs.”

Her eyes narrowed with determination. “Then I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

Doc stepped out of the truck and came around to help her out, but she was already on her feet. He took her hand, and they made their way down to the lavish brick Colonial.

“This looks like a smaller version of my father’s house,” she said with disdain as they ascended the porch steps. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

Ana opened the door, and her ready smile faltered, her dark eyes filling with disbelief. “Juliette.”

“Hello, Ana,” Juliette said with a hint of wistfulness.

Doc wasn’t surprised to hear her heart slipping out.

“It’s…” Ana’s gaze moved curiously between him and Juliette. “It’s so good to see you, honey.” She embraced Juliette. “I had no idea you were in town.”

Doc wondered if Ana felt Juliette bristle or if he and Juliette were so connected that he sensed what she was holding back. As Juliette stepped out of her embrace, he offered his hand, purposely using his given name to see Ana’s reaction. “Hi. I’m Seeley Whiskey.”

Ana blinked several times before shaking his hand with a sweaty palm. “Seeley. It’s nice to meet you.”

He gave a curt nod.

“I was hoping we could come in and visit for a minute,” Juliette said.

That’s it, baby. Be kind before going in for the kill.

“Of course. Gosh, it’s been so long.” Ana led them into a plush living room with expensive furniture. On an end table and on the mantel over the fireplace were several framed photographs of Ana and a boy at various ages, assumably her son. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thank you,” Juliette said. “We can’t stay long.”

Ana stood before a love seat and motioned to the other couch. “Please, sit down.”

Doc picked up one of the photographs as they sat down. “Is this your son?”

“Yes.” She folded her hands in her lap. “That’s my Rolando.”

“He’s a good-looking boy.” Doc put the picture back on the end table.

“Thank you. He’s my pride and joy. Juliette, how are you, sweetheart? You look beautiful. How is your Lucas? He must be fifteen or sixteen by now?”