Read Online Not Quite Gone (A Lowcountry Mystery) by Lyla Payne - Free Book Online Page B

but given my track record, those things suspended over me, waiting to fall, are as likely to be buckets of pig’s blood. “We were consulting with Travis on a case.”
    “Wait, wait, wait. Detective Stick Up His Ass Travis brought in mediums to consult on a case? I think the real mystery here is who body snatched the lawman.”
    “It is weird, until you learnthat Amelia suggested it.”
    “He’s got a thing for her, huh? I can see it.”
    “Everyone can see it. She’s six months pregnant and could still snag any guy who walked into the library.”
    “So could you, Gracie. You never could see it.”
    The comment, offhand but sincere, takes me aback. My stomach kind of floats into my chest, and it’s a few seconds before I realize my mouth is hanging open a littleand the space between Leo and me has grown uncomfortable in a way it’s never been.
    “Oh, shut your mouth. I’m just saying you’re as pretty as your cousin, not that I’m ready to start carrying you around town and fanning you with palmetto branches.”
    “I think it’s you actually saying something nice that’s throwing me off,” I manage, getting my feet back under me. It’s not a weird reaction I’m having.Leo is very handsome, and just about every girl in town would agree with me. That doesn’t mean I’m going to admit it to him. His head would get so big it would break his neck.
    “Anyway, why don’t you ask Daria about this new ghost at Drayton Hall? Maybe she can enlighten you as far as why she didn’t follow you home like the others did. Or help you figure out if she’s lying.” He pauses, shovingthe cans of balls and his stinky wristbands into his bag and zipping it up. “What does Mayor Perfect say?”
    Now it’s my turn to pause. Knowing Leo, my silence tells him the answer, anyway. “I haven’t told him yet. I wanted to make sure it didn’t have any sensitive connection to his family. Now…”
    “You’re not sure because the article mentioned Brick.”
    I nod, my heart hurting a little. It’s notfair to Beau to keep this to myself, but the last thing I need is for him—or his mother—to think I have some kind of negative intention toward their family. Especially not now that they’re also my employer. “I guess if she never shows up again it won’t matter.”
    “What was her name? The girl?”
    “Nanette Robbins.”
    “Never heard of her. It’s weird, kind of, that we didn’t hear about this story whenwe were younger. Don’t you think?”
    “She’s older than us. We were only ten or so when she died.”
    “Even so. That’s the age when we were all morbid little shits.”
    It does seem a little strange, now that he’s mentioned it. I shrug, determined to enjoy my evening and take my grandmother’s advice to not borrow trouble. I may never see the ghost of Nanette Robbins again.
    “Are you ready?” I ask. “I’vegot to shower.”
    “There’s no arguing that,” Leo smirks, ducking away before I can smack him again.
      We stride together off the tennis courts and into the parking lot. I unlock the door of my Honda and toss my racket and bag into the backseat, then spin to face my tennis partner-slash-sometimes-cohort-slash-oldest-enemy. “I saw your sister at the library today. She was acting sort of weird.”
    “Lindsay’s usually ‘acting sort of weird’ these days. You know, it’s odd, but I think spending years in prison may have some sort of effect on a person’s personality.”
    “Ha-ha. It was… I don’t know. Like she wanted to say something to me but kept talking herself out of it.” A nervous laugh bubbles up from my belly. “I can’t decide whether to be thankful or disappointed. Do you have any idea whatthat was about?”
    Leo’s face shades a little bit red, his blue eyes too blank. Like he’s faking it. I know he’s about to lie. “No idea. But given your recent history I’m guessing you should go with thankful. I’ll see you later. Maybe we can play again on