The Lies I Told(86)

“No one else saw him?”

“I told the police officer about him, and when the officer asked around, no one said they’d seen him. But like I said, he vanished before the crowds showed up.”

I pulled up the picture from Brit’s social media page and then David’s professional headshot. “Could it be this guy?”

The woman stared at me, a quizzical look on her face before she dropped her gaze. “It’s hard to tell. This guy’s face is turned, and the other guy looks younger. And it was dark that night.”

I enlarged the picture with a swipe of my fingers. “Can you have a second look?”

Again, she studied the picture. “It could be him, but I can’t be sure.” Jenny rubbed Cody’s head. “Did he just happen by, or is this about something else?”

“Like I said, I don’t remember the accident or the week leading up to it. I’m not sure of much at this point.”

Jenny’s brows furrowed. “Was he trying to hurt you?”

I considered lying. Then decided I’d had enough of that. “I don’t know.”

“Let me take another look.” Eyes narrowing, Jenny studied the picture.

My heart beat faster, and I couldn’t decide whether I wanted David to be identified. It would have been just like me to stir up another shitstorm in Brit Stockton’s life.

The woman shook her head. “I can’t say for certain if it’s him or not. I’m sorry.”

“Anything you remember about the guy?”

“He was pretty upset. He was clearly worried about you. He reached in the car, shut off the engine, and told me to call for the rescue squad.”

“How long were you gone?”

“Two or three minutes. Maybe a little more. Time really slows at moments like that.”

“Okay, thank you.” I glanced at David’s face one last time and tucked the phone in my back pocket. Maybe I was overreaching. Maybe I wanted to find Clare’s killer so badly I saw connections that didn’t exist.

“Sorry I couldn’t be more help.”

I turned and was on the bottom step when the woman called out. “Do you know Clare?”

“What?”

“I thought he called you Clare.”





48


BRIT

Sunday, March 20, 2022

4:00 p.m.

I fiddled with the ring on my finger, twirling it round and round. The ring was a lovely gesture, but it wouldn’t work. I’d already made an appointment with my jeweler, who was a genius at redoing gems and gold. He’d redone a good bit of Mom’s and Clare’s pieces for me. Annoying to take this extra step, but necessary because I wouldn’t spend the rest of my life bothered by a ring that should carry such meaning. The ring might not have been right, but I would fix that. Just like I fixed everything.

Marisa entered the restaurant only a minute late, and I was pleasantly surprised. My sister was chronically tardy because she liked disrupting everyone’s world. She was so afraid of boredom that she created chaos for entertainment value. Likely that was what had prompted this little invite.

But that was the old Marisa, I reminded myself. Marisa 2.0 wasn’t perfect but was an improvement, thanks in large part to all the effort I’d put into her. I rose, laying my napkin beside my place setting.

Marisa was dressed in dark pressed pants, a light cowl-neck sweater, and boots. She’d styled her hair and was wearing makeup. A far cry from the woman exhibiting all the hallmarks of a binge. Miracles do happen.

She kissed me on my cheek. “I’m so glad you could join me. Last-minute invites always feel presumptuous. And I wanted to see you in person to apologize.”

The apology was an unexpected pleasure. “Sisters fight. Emotions run high. I get it.”

“I thought a dinner with just the two of us was in order.”

“Agreed.” We’d come here as kids with our father and mother to celebrate the holidays. The decorations were festive (Mom wasn’t a decorator), and more importantly, the food was delicious (Mom wasn’t a cook).

Marisa smiled. “Seemed only right we celebrate your engagement. This is a big deal.”

Our argument had rolled off her back so easily. She’d accused me of poisoning her. I’d never poisoned anyone. I’d dispensed medicine. This mood shift of hers triggered my suspicions, but I was skeptical by nature, which was what made me such a good attorney. But I had to let whatever conspiracy theories go. “Thank you.”

“We need to spend more time together. We’re all that remains of the family.”

I reached for my water glass, which was slick with condensation. “Soon we’ll have David.”

Marisa’s smile widened. “He seems very nice.”

“He is. I never thought I could be so happy.”

“You deserve this,” Marisa said.

The waitress came, I ordered a white wine, and Marisa stuck with seltzer. I considered not ordering wine but decided responsible drinking was a part of my life, and Marisa needed to adjust.

“David mentioned engagement pictures. I’d love to take them,” Marisa said.

“I’ll need to lose five pounds before we do that, but yes, I would love you to do the pictures. And I promise, I won’t be choosing any over-the-top bridesmaids’ outfits for you and the others. No ruffles or puffed sleeves.”