Lovely Girls(60)

“I appreciate that. I did actually consider lying and telling the detectives that Alex was home. Just to keep her safe. But Alex told them the truth. She said she had nothing to hide.”

“That’s admirable, but maybe a bit naive.”

“Or maybe not. She had her cell phone with her that night, and the police said they can use the GPS data on the phone to track her movements that night. They asked her to voluntarily give it to them, but Alex refused. The detective said that they could get a warrant for it. Maybe it’s smarter that she told the truth rather than say something that can later be proven to be a lie.” I shrugged. “I know I should probably be proud of her for her honesty.”

“It does speak well of her character.”

“I just wish she’d be more forthcoming with me,” I admitted. “At least that way, I’d be able to protect her.”

“She’s a teenager. They’re sort of known for being secretive and not telling their parents stuff,” Joe pointed out. “My parents never knew what I was up to when I was that age.”

“Did you ever sneak out of the house in the middle of the night?”

“I don’t think I had to sneak. It was the eighties. Our parents didn’t pay enough attention to us to notice when we weren’t home. I don’t think mine knew where I was most of the time.” Joe rubbed my shoulder. “Alex will be okay. It sounds like she’s handling the scrutiny well.”

“She seems to be. I’m just worried. And I’m second-guessing my decision to cooperate with the police this morning.”

“Maybe you should talk to a criminal defense attorney,” Joe suggested.

“I was thinking the same thing. I spent part of the day looking for an attorney online, but it’s impossible to know who’s the best. Do you know a good one?”

“I’ll ask around and try to find a referral,” he promised.

“Thank you. I’m overwhelmed.”

Joe leaned forward and kissed me. I touched his cheek.

“Are you still going to Orlando this weekend? To go to the theme park? In all the chaos, I forgot about it.”

Joe laughed softly. “I forgot about it too. I never did make reservations.”

“It’s probably for the best. Roller coasters scare the hell out of me.”

Alex walked into the kitchen and surveyed the food spread across the island.

“Is that lasagna?” she asked.

“Yes. Are you a fan?” Joe said.

“As long as it’s not all vegetables. I had mushroom lasagna once, and it was gross.”

Joe clutched his chest in mock horror. “I can’t believe you’d accuse me of bringing vegetable lasagna! What kind of a monster do you think I am?”

Alex regarded him coolly. “I don’t know. I don’t know you.”

“For starters, I make the best lasagna you’ve ever had. Zero vegetables, if you don’t count tomatoes, onions and garlic, and four kinds of cheese. And just wait until you try my garlic bread,” Joe bragged.

“You’re modest too.” Alex took a tomato off the platter and popped it into her mouth. “What roller coaster were you talking about?”

“Oh.” I glanced at my oddly composed daughter to Joe and back again. “Joe invited us to join him and his son, Sean, at the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando this weekend.”

“That sounds fun,” Alex said.

“With everything that’s been going on, I don’t think going away this weekend is a good idea.”

“No,” Joe said. “But we can go another time.”

“Cool. Nice flowers.” Alex nodded at the roses before turning and disappearing back to her room.

I stared after her. Alex seemed . . . off. She was far too composed for someone who was under police suspicion in a homicide investigation. Why was she so calm when I felt like the entire world had spun out of control over the past two days?

“Do you have time for a glass of wine before you go?” I asked. “Because after the day I’ve had, I could use one. It’s medicinal at this point.”

“Sounds great.”

I poured us each a glass of wine and handed one to Joe.

“Let’s go sit on the patio,” I suggested.

We went outside and sat on the wicker chairs. For the first time since we’d moved here, the intense heat had finally relented. The tropical surroundings were still a novelty, the stately palm trees and brightly colored plants and flowers, which were still blooming in October. Back home, the trees would be losing their leaves, and it would be a long winter before the bulb flowers would push up toward the sun. Sweet alyssum scented the air, and I breathed it in. It was so beautiful, I could almost forget that there had been two police detectives at my house that day. Almost.

Then I thought of Ingrid. However difficult the situation was for me, it didn’t match the hell that Ingrid must be in. Lita was right—I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

“Have you heard how Ingrid is doing?” I asked Joe, careful to keep my voice quiet, just in case Lita was eavesdropping. I hadn’t seen her in her backyard, but I wouldn’t put it past her to sneak out and try to listen in on our conversation from her side of the fence. “I can’t even imagine what she must be going through.”