Page 15 of The Summer Request
Finally, Michelle let out a laugh. “I’m not offended; I just thought you’d remember. Lolita is a Southern Resident orca. She’s one ofus. Her family still comes to San Juan every summer.”
“Wait, I do remember you telling us this,” Lisa said. They’d reached baggage claim, and she was relieved to see that their carousel had not started moving yet. Michelle might’ve lost it if she spotted her bag brazenly enjoying rides around the airport without her.
“Yes, they drowned four baby whales during the capture.” Michelle let out a sigh. “Sixteen members of the pod were either taken or killed back then. The pod never recovered – they’re still endangered to this day.”
“You don’t need a marine biology degree,” Val said. “You already know everything.”
“Hardly,” Michelle said, but a smile had crept onto her face. “Lolita’s mom is still alive. She swims with her pod around the islands.”
“That’s actually really sad.” Lisa frowned. “I wish we could reunite them.”
“I agree.” Michelle crossed her arms, shifting her weight. “I will not give a dollar to the place that’s kept her trapped for the last fifty-two years.”
The whale had been in that tiny tank for fifty-two years? That was longer than Lisa had been alive.
That put it in perspective. What a nightmare. And she thought her marriage felt never-ending.
Val pulled a piece of paper from her pocket. “I don’t think freeing a whale is on our itinerary for today, but I’m not against discussing it.”
“Don’t tease me,” Michelle said. “I’m just…you know.”
Val reached forward and squeezed her shoulder. “I know. You care. I’ve always liked that about you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Val.”
Bags started to appear, and Michelle’s focus changed to securing a good view of the belt. People were now crowding and rushing forward, making it difficult to see.
Michelle’s mood darkened accordingly. “Okay, no need to stand in frontof me,” she said under her breath, elbowing out the young couple who had overtaken her spot.
It was hard not to laugh. Lisa debated whether she should get out of the way or report to Michelle’s side as backup. The decision was made for her when someone pushed her from behind.
“First class isn’t helping us here,” Lisa said, shaking her head. “We’re going to get trampled if our bags don’t show up soon.”
“How is it that there are so many people and no one is taking any of these bags?” Michelle asked, the volume of her voice increasing. “Did they send the wrong bags to the wrong place? What does that tag say? Can you see, Lisa?”
She squinted. “It says MIA. Is that Miami, or missing in action?”
“We’re in the right place,” Val said soothingly. “Relax. If anyone pushes you, step on them. Listen, I’ve got something to add to the itinerary.”
“This better not be another joke about Lolita,” Michelle said firmly.
“Yeah,” Lisa added. “It’s not funny, Val.”
“No, it’s not about that.” Val dropped her voice. “I think we should look into Tammy’s theory.”
Lisa tapped her chin and let out a long “Hm.” All that alcohol made her think she was funny. It was an unusual feeling for her. “Do you mean about how too much riffraff is moving to the island?”
“Or that loud music and bare midriffs will be the downfall of society?” suggested Michelle, reaching forward and pulling her bag off the belt.
Val waved a hand. “No, none of that. I mean about Lou killing Justine.”
Lisa eyed her warily. She couldn’t always tell when Val was kidding.
Michelle’s eyes were still on the belt, diligently scanning for Val’s bags. “Don’t tell me you believe her. What motive would he have?”
“Not having to pay alimony anymore? Dark secrets she was going to reveal?” Val pulled her phone out. “Who knows? As someone involved in a bitter divorce, I’m sure it’s crossed Reggie’s mind to kill me off.”
Lisa shushed her. “Someone’s going to hear you and you’ll be checked into an asylum before I can even get my first piña colada.”
