Fear Thy Neighbor (68)
“Maybe it belongs to a medical student who left it behind, and, I don’t know, maybe John found it.”
“This isn’t medical school terminology.”
“How do you know?”
“Trust me, I know. Medical students wouldn’t be interested in the innards of redfish. This is what I’ve been searching for. I just need time to see what’s on the hard drive, see everything on it.”
“So do it,” she said. None of this made sense to her, but right now, it didn’t matter.
“I’m not that smart, but I know someone who is,” Kit said, then took his cell phone from his pocket. “It’s late, but I need to make a call.” He hit the green call icon on his cell.
“Hey, Louie, what’s up?” Kit said. “Yeah, I know. Sorry about the time, but you know I wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important.”
Ali listened to the one-sided conversation. She couldn’t pretend to understand all the technical words Kit used, but she was confident he knew what he was doing. At least, she hoped so.
Today had been one of the best days in her life, and also one of the worst, if that were even possible. She’d made friends. Had a fantastic time with Val shopping. She owned a home, and it was possible she’d finally met the man of her dreams. Crossing her fingers behind her back, she offered up a silent prayer that Renée would be unharmed emotionally and physically, that Val wouldn’t be too hard on her, and, somehow, she hoped Kit could solve his mystery. And most of all, she hoped like hell there wasn’t a cult in her new backyard.
Kit hung up, then made a second call. “How much will it take for you to fly to Miami? Tonight, both ways?” he asked the person on the other line, who Alison deduced was a pilot.
“I’m on Palmetto Island. I can meet you at Page Field in an hour,” Kit said. “I’m on my way.”
Ali waited for an explanation.
“My buddy Louie in Miami is a technological whiz. I need to see everything on this hard drive tonight. You want to fly to Miami with me or stay here with Val?”
“Are you serious?” She’d never flown in her life.
“I am.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I think I need to stay with Val, just in case.”
“Good decision. I was hoping you’d say that. If I have any news, I’ll call. I’ll let you know when I return. Meet me at The Daily Grind, if you can.”
“Why there?” she asked, realizing how stupid she sounded.
“I have my reasons.” He closed the laptop, then stuck the old cell in one pocket, his in the other. “The owner, Pete, is a good friend of mine, and my family’s. Plus, I think we’ll both need a large dose of caffeine.”
“Fish-Eyes?” she said.
“Not what I call him, but yes, Pete owns the place. He’s a good guy. Someone you’d want on your side if you’re in trouble.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insinuate anything rude. The first time I saw him, that impression came to mind, with his glasses and all. Pete. I’ll remember that.”
“No worries, Alison. Stop overthinking everything—you’re perfect just the way you are.”
She’d been on the defensive her entire life. It would take time for her to learn not everyone was against her. “Thanks.”
“Try and get some sleep. Go with Val to Orlando in the morning if you want. A little moral support.”
“Definitely,” she said, even though she hadn’t discussed it with Val yet. If Val invited her along, she would go, but she wouldn’t force herself on her. Before she could say anything else, Kit kissed her on the cheek. “Promise you’ll call me if there’s trouble,” he said.
“I will,” she said, knowing he was referring to their breaking and entering expedition.
As soon as he left, Ali felt a void, not just physically, but emotionally, too. Before going upstairs to one of the lavish bedrooms, she cleared away the paper plates and the soda cans and folded the pizza box so it would fit in the recycling bin. Using damp paper towels, she wiped down the counters, then tossed the wet paper in the bin with the rest of the recyclables.
Quietly, she went upstairs, going to the bedroom next to Renée’s, thinking she’d feel closer to her this way. Trying to put together details of what happened since she’d been on the island, she stepped into the shower, letting the hot water rinse the sweat and salt water off her skin. She shampooed her hair twice, then just stood beneath the powerful jets, the water easing the tension in her neck and shoulders.
When she finished her shower, she saw a white robe and matching nightshirt hanging on the back of the door. She slipped them on, then wrapped a large bath towel turban-style around her wet hair. Beside the sink were several unopened toothbrushes and tiny tubes of toothpaste. She brushed her teeth, then opened a drawer, where she found brushes and combs still in their wrapping, plus travel-size bottles of hair conditioner, hair spray, and just about all one would need. Valentina had thought of everything, though Ali couldn’t help but wonder why she had all these bedrooms equipped like a hotel. Neither she nor Renée had mentioned having guests often, but again, she’d only just met them. She towel-dried her hair, making sure to leave the bathroom as she’d found it, minus what she’d used.