Part 13 (1/2)
”Meaning Dylan?”
”That's right. I think I understand why she's trying to find someone for me. She doesn't want me to be lonely . . . or scared.”
”Which means she is.”
”Yes,” she said. ”She's had a harder time of it, much harder, this past year. She was so close to Mom. So the way I see it, we can't let her think she's on her own. I'll call her almost every day until she adjusts, but Kate, you're going to have to make weekend trips to see her, especially on parents' weekend. If I can get the time off, I'll be there, too.”
”Okay, we've got a plan,” she said. ”Did you happen to notice Dylan was asking Isabel all those questions about Reece?”
”Yes,” she said. ”He was very smooth about it, too.”
”I think he's on the phone now running a check on Reece. You know, finding out if he has a criminal record.”
”Oh Lord, wouldn't that be something.”
Kate dried her hands, handed Kiera the towel, and went to greet Detective Hallinger.
It was Dylan who actually let the detective inside. Isabel smiled and waited until Kate had made the introduction to say h.e.l.lo.
The two men shook hands. Hallinger was the first to speak. ”How long are you in town, Detective?”
”Call me Dylan.”
Kate was about to tell Hallinger that Dylan would be going home tomorrow, but she never got the chance.
”I'm here for a while. Not sure how long.”
The two men were sizing each other up, like two roosters in a henhouse, she thought, and then she realized the comparison wasn't flattering to her or her sisters.
”Where are you staying?”
”Don't know yet,” Dylan answered.
”I hope you'll stay with us,” Isabel urged. She turned her attention to Detective Hallinger and said, ”It's so nice to see you again.”
”Nice to see you, too,” he replied.
”Won't you come in and sit down,” she offered, gesturing toward the living room.
He and Dylan walked in together. Dylan was talking, but his voice was so low Kate couldn't hear what he was saying. The detective took his notepad out and started writing.
”Did you offer him a beverage?” Isabel asked.
”You were standing right here. You know I didn't. Besides, this isn't a social call.”
”Did he tell you what was so important?”
Kate was watching them. ”I'm sorry?”
Isabel pulled her toward the banister and farther away from the men. She glanced into the living room and lowered her voice and said, ”When Detective Hallinger called, he said he wanted to talk to you about something important. I thought he sounded kind of grim or something. I'm not going anywhere if you're in trouble, Kate. I want to know what the detective says. Maybe I could sit with you and listen. I won't interrupt.”
”The detective just wants to tie up some loose ends,” she said. ”Nothing you haven't already heard.” It was a lie, of course, and Isabel didn't look like she was buying it.
”How do you know that? He hasn't had time to tell you anything yet.”
Good point, she thought. ”I know because Dylan told me. And you trust him, don't you?”
”Yes, of course I do,” she said. ”But how is that possible? He only just met Detective Hallinger.”
”Good heavens, you're suspicious. Dylan talked to someone at the police department.”
”Oh . . . okay, then.”
Kate was appalled at how easily she could lie. She was getting a little too good at it.
Isabel looked relieved, though. Kate hadn't realized how much Isabel was worrying about her. So maybe in this instance the end did justify the means.
”Everything's fine,” she a.s.sured her. ”And I will offer the detective something to drink. Okay?”
”Mother would want you to remember your manners.”
World War III could be going on, but by G.o.d no one would be thirsty if Isabel had her way, Kate thought.
”I know.”
She tried to go into the living room, but Isabel stopped her once again. ”One more thing and don't get mad.”
Kate sighed. ”Who called?”
”Carl.”
”When?”
”This afternoon.”
”What did he want?”
”He just wanted to see how you were doing. He was very upset. He told me he was mortified about you getting blown up at his party.”
”I did not get blown up.”
”You almost did,” she said. ”Carl also said to tell you he's so sorry about everything, and he hopes you can find it in your heart to forgive him. He's kind of dramatic, isn't he?”
”He can be,” she agreed. ”I'll call him when I get a free moment.”
”Oh, you can't call him. He said to tell you he's going away where no one can bother him. He wouldn't tell me where.”