“Something like that,” she squeaks. “I need to go check on my tables.” Tiffany hauls ass away from the bar. I think most people are aware of my history with Fisher.
“Guess I’ve got a reputation around here.”
“Something like that. You want a beer while you wait?”
“No drinking. Since I had a drug charge. Gotta piss clean according to my PO. Gotta hold down a stable job. Only the straight and narrow for me.”
“Will that be a problem?”
“Nope. Whiskey set me up with a job at the garage.”
“That’s good.”
He shrugs. “Take a Coke. Might want to pour something stronger for yourself.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Not sure if I should tell you here or wait.”
“Tell me now.”
“Finish up and we’ll take a drive.”
“Okay.” I know whatever he’s holding back it can’t be anything good. I’m not certain how much more bad news I can take.
“What are we doing here?” When Fisher said we would go for a drive I didn’t imagine he was talking about coming to the damn Crow’s Nest, the clubhouse.
He opens the passenger door of my car. “Thought you’d want to be with family for this.”
I glance around the parking lot making note of how many cars there are. “What’s happened? Fisher, please.” I fear he’s going to tell me that Death’s son is dead. I’ve not heard any updates from my sister, and I didn’t have a chance to text or call her during my shift.
Fisher takes my hand, brushing his rough fingers over my knuckles. “Walk with me.”
I exit the car.
It’s too damn cold to be going for a twilight stroll, but I entertain him anyway. Fisher’s good at getting what he wants. As badly as I want him to get it over with, I don’t know if I’m prepared to hear whatever he’s about to share. Once more he takes my hand. Only now its to guide me down one of the old hiking trails that lead down to the lake. It’s as frozen as I imagine Death’s heart to be. As cold and lonely as mine was when Fisher was gone.
I follow him down the winding path. My breath visible in the night air. The pine trees loom over us, creating a canopy, partially shielding the moon. Silence surrounds us. I clutch his hand, preparing for the worst.
“Felt I should be the one to tell you.”
“Honey, you’re really starting to freak me out.”
“It’s Zuko. He’s been brought in for questioning in connection with April’s murder. I don’t know all the details yet. There were some text messages exchanged between them that don’t look good for him.”
Knees buckling, I nearly drop to the ground. Fisher steadies me in his arms.
“My brother is a lot of things, but he would never do that to April.” I can’t believe he’d have anything to do with her murder and yet I questioned if Fisher had any involvement. I don’t know what that says about me. I’m only glad he doesn’t throw my asking him if he did in my face.
“There’s one more thing you should know.”
“What’s that?”
His mouth pulls tight, then he says, “Your mother is here.”
“Take me home.”
“Babe.” He hugs me tight against his chest and kisses the top of my head.