Page 25 of Truth, Lies, and Second Dates
“Irrelevant,” he said, sliding into the seat across from her.
“Listen, I didn’t say so earlier, but I wanted to thank you for giving my alibi to the cops.”
“I didn’t.”
“You didn’t?”
“I could only alibi you until 1:50A.M.I didn’t see you return to your room, though I assumed you had. And you weren’t inebriated.”
“No, Dennis drank enough for both of us,” she said dryly. “Well, thanks for speaking up anyway. Besides, surely the funeral home has security videos.”
“Not for the parking lot or the public area. Just the prep room.”
“Prep—”
“Embalming area.”
“They have camerasthere? But hardly anywhere else? Do I want to know why? I don’t want to know why.” She sighed. “Too bad about the videos, though. Too easy, right?”
“So it would seem.” Tom had no idea if Ava had caused the considerable damage to the funeral home, but he wouldn’t rule her out as a suspect. Not last night, and not ten years ago. Though it would not do to let her know that just yet. “I would prefer to discuss your deceased friend now.”
“Uh. Okay.”
Darn it all to heck and back. A new record.“I apologize and will try to be less blunt.”
“Please don’t. It’s refreshing. People have been tip-toeing around this for a decade. Understandably, but it gets old.” Shepushed her curls back with a sigh. “Also, now that I hear myself, there’s just no way to say that without sounding like a heinous wretch. So I’m just gonna own it.”
He waited long enough to confirm it was his turn to speak, then said, “Danielle was stabbed repeatedly and died of exsanguination. She would have been in extreme distress before she bled out.”
“Distress. Yeah. One way to put it.”
“And ten years later, someone attacked her memorial and flung her ashes everywhere.”
“Here’s your salmon scramble!” As the waitress set the plate before Ava, she glanced at it, seemed to think about it for a few seconds, then picked up her fork. This made much sense to him; regardless of the topic of conversation, fuel was necessary. “And for you, sir?”
Breakfast? Or briefing? Breakfast briefing? Yes. More efficient.“Lox and bagel, please. And coffee. Lots.”
As the waitress headed off, Ava said, “You must be exhausted. Up half the night, um, with me, and now here with me again.”
“No.”
“No, what?”
“I don’t require much sleep.”
“Okay.”
“Tell me about the memorial.”
“Besides the fact that it was a mistake?”
“Yes, besides that.”
“I ran into Dennis on my flight. He knew I’d be at MSP and invited me. I was on the spot and didn’t think about faking scurvy until it was too late.”
He blinked. “All right. But you hadn’t planned to attend before that day, correct?”
“Yes.”
