Page 56 of Last Date
I took a gulp of tea and shrugged. Once I’d swallowed, I said, “Dogs are the best.”
We chatted about the Pearl Cove Women’s Club a bit—one of the members was pressuring her to join, and she mentioned there was another bingo night, which I politely declined. Eventually it was time to leave, and I kissed her goodbye and headed over to walk Bruno.
Patsy had already left for work, but she’d given me a spare key so I could take Bruno for his daily walks. It was a beautiful clear day, and I decided to take the dog for a longer walk than usual. We often just stuck to the neighborhood around Patsy’s house, but today I ventured further and took Bruno and Spot to Turtle Bay Park.
The park was on the edge of a long stretch of beach. There were half a dozen picnic tables and a few fire pits. This time of year, the park was mostly deserted. It was too cold to swim in the ocean and tended to get a bit breezy, which kicked up the sand. But it was perfect for walking dogs, and Bruno and Spot were in heaven galloping down the deserted beach, chasing a ball.
I was sitting on one of the picnic benches, enjoying the sun on my face, when I heard voices further down the beach. Near one of the picnic benches that was closer to the tree line, I spotted two people. I didn’t think they were able to see me because of the angle, but I recognized Elon. He was talking animatedly to an older, dark-haired woman.
Not wanting to eavesdrop, I tried not to listen to their conversation. I huddled down in my coat and watched Bruno and Spot digging in the sand. As it happened, I was downwind of Elon and his companion, so bits and pieces of their conversation floated down to me on the breeze. Phrases like “Just a little longer” and “Past the hardest part” came to me unwanted. I had no idea who the woman was; I only knew she wasn’t Mary.
I got off the table and moved toward the dogs to toss the ball around some more. I assumed Elon and his friend would leave soon enough, but this way I wouldn’t hear their conversation. Maybe Elon was seeing a therapist. It wouldn’t be surprising after all he’d supposedly been through.
Grimacing, I tried to focus on the dogs. I threw the ball as far down the beach as I could and watched the energetic dogs sprint after it.
“We run into each other again, I see.” Elon’s voice came from behind me.
I jumped and turned, feeling guilty, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong. “Oh, hey.” The sun was behind him, so it was hard to see his expression. “I’m just walking a dog for one of my clients.”
“I see.”
“What brings you to this beach?” I spoke casually.
“I needed some fresh air.”
“It’s a beautiful day.” I cleared my throat. “Did you come here alone?”
He hesitated. “Yes. Why do you ask?”
I didn’t think it was my imagination that he sounded defensive. “Just making conversation.”
“I often take walks alone.”
“Sure. Sometimes you just need to clear the mind.” Why was he lying about being alone?
He watched me for a moment, then asked, “How’s your throat?”
I touched my neck. “Much better, thanks.”
“Did they ever catch the guy who attacked you?”
“I believe they’re questioning a few people.”
His mouth quirked. “People with mustaches?”
“Exactly.”
He moved closer, and instinctively, I took a step back. He frowned. “Do I make you uncomfortable?”
“No.” He kind of did, but what use was there in being honest about that?
“I think I do,” he said softly. “I seem to make a lot of people uncomfortable.”
He was being his usual weird self, and for whatever reason, I decided to ask him about the flat tire. Our interaction was already so strange, it couldn’t get much more awkward. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” He tilted his head.
“The first time we met, did you let the air out of my tire?”
