Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [56]
“Heather, I saw your sign change in the middle of the night and there was a rumor you were moving everything in your shop to Charlotte. You fired Mrs. Quimby, for goodness sake. What was I supposed to think?”
“I don’t blame you, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that you didn’t believe in me.” She got up and started for the door.
“Wait a second, Heather, that’s not fair. I never said a word to anyone but Millie.”
“And what did she say?” Heather asked.
I admitted, “She didn’t think you could do it, not for one second.”
“So at least one of my friends still believes in me.”
I said, “You haven’t given me much reason to lately, but I believe in you, too. You can walk out of here right now, goodness knows you’ve done it before, but if you want to stay, you’re welcome to.”
She thought about it a second or two, then said, “You know what? You’re right. I’m tired of running.” She slumped down on the couch, then said, “If the offer’s still open, I’ll take that drink.”
“You’ve got it. Is bourbon okay?”
“Cut it with some Coke,” she said. I got the Maker’s Mark out and poured her a drink, splashing some soda in on her request. Mine I took neat.
After she took a sip, she said, “Okay, you wanted to talk. I’m ready.”
Suddenly I didn’t have the heart to push her anymore. I was her friend, and though there were several questions I wanted to ask, our friendship had to come first. I said, “I’m not going to interrogate you. I do have one question, though.”
“Fire away.”
“Where’s Esmeralda?” I asked.
Heather laughed. “I knew she’d get under your skin. She’s got a way of making converts out of unbelievers.”
I protested, “It’s not that. I just wondered, that’s all.”
Heather said, “She’s downstairs in my shop, curled up on her bed, if I know her. Don’t worry, you can see her tomorrow.”
I waved that off. The idea that I was getting close to her cat was ridiculous. I’d asked out of curiosity, nothing more. I thought about giving Heather the catnip mouse I’d picked up, but decided it could wait for another time.
I took a sip of my drink, then asked, “So are you staying, or did you come to say good-bye?”
“If you’ll have me, I’m not going anywhere.” There was a conviction in her words that I liked.
“As far as I know, your lease is still good.”
She leaned forward and touched my knee. “That’s not what I’m asking. If you don’t want me here anymore, I’ll pack up and move tomorrow.”
I took a sip, then said, “Of course I want you here. You shouldn’t even have to ask.”
“Oh yes I should,” she said. “Thank you, Harrison.”
“For what?”
“For everything.”
I smiled. “Well, I can’t take credit for everything, but I’m happy to do my part. Are you sure you’re going to be okay, working here with Sanora around?”
“I’m over it,” she said. “I’ve had my little snit. I’m not saying we’re going to be best friends, but I won’t go out of my way to cross her.”
“That’s all I can ask for.” I raised my glass to her, then said, “Welcome back.”
“It’s good to be back,” she said.
I had a thought, one last thing to clear up in my mind while we were having a frank discussion. “Hang on a second,” I said, “I’ll be right back.”
I retrieved the crystal bauble Sanora had discovered in Aaron’s office and held it out to her. “I believe this belongs to you.”
She studied it a second, then said, “Sorry, it’s not mine.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “It looks like it came off a necklace or something.”
She shook her head. “Nothing I carry. It looks like—.”
At that instant, the outside lights sprang to life, shining through my window.
“Your security lights are working,” she said.
I peered through the window. “I wonder who’s out there at this hour.” I was going to have to get Pearly to reposition the light over my apartment. There was a reflected glare that blinded me as I looked out.
“I’d better go see what’s going on,” I said, grabbing the baseball bat I kept by the door. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’m going with you,” Heather said as she put her drink down.
“Maybe you should stay here,” I insisted.