Page 18 of Key West Homecoming

“There she is. Take the table by the window, Honey. The one with the little vase. I'll be over in a minute.”

Emma walked over to the table and set her bag on the empty chair across from her and watched the surrounding activity. In the vase was a single sprig of something purple and wilting.

Tess appeared beside her with an iced tea already made, a wedge of lime on the rim.

“Unsweetened extra ice. You want food?”

“Not yet.”

“Just tea?”

“And a favor when you have a minute”

“Give me five. I'll bring Leah too.”

It took her closer to ten. When she came back, Leah was with her and both of them slid into the two chairs across from Emma in one movement.

“You got a hat,” Tess said.

“Marisol gave it to me out of lost and found.”

“She does that. She keeps a drawer of them and she's particular about who gets which one. Don't be surprised if she hands you sunscreen next.

“Seriously? She made it sound like it was the only one and someone must have left it.”

Tess laughed, “Oh, she’s good.” Tess put her elbows on the table. “All right, what do you need?”

Emma took a breath. “I need a lawyer.”

“What kind of lawyer?” Leah asked.

“Someone who knows Monroe County. Someone who understands probate and real estate, and preferably someone I can talk to today.”

“That's a tall order,” Leah said.

“I'm on a clock.”

Leah looked at Tess, who shrugged and something passed between them Emma didn't catch. Then Tess pushed her chair back and got up.

“Sit tight. I'll get Connie.”

Emma watched her go.

“Whatever it is” Leah said, “You're in the right place to ask”

“I hope so.”

“You are, trust me on that one thing at least.”

Connie came over a minute later, wiping her hands on a bar towel that seemed to be a permanent extension of the people who worked here. She stopped beside Emma's chair and looked down at her with the same appraising steadiness from yesterday.

“Tess says you need a lawyer.”

“I do.”

“Something to do with your grandmother's place?”

Emma nodded. “Twenty-Three Hibiscus Lane.”