A Catered Mother's Day by Isis Crawford Page B

night was in little fragments and she couldn’t put the pieces together.
    â€œThe police could have taken it,” Bernie suggested when she limped up to her.
    â€œPossibly,” Libby said. That was the obvious explanation.
    â€œProbably,” Bernie said.
    Libby closed her eyes and tried to run the events of that evening through her head again, and again she failed. Everything had been so confusing. She’d seen the watch; she’d been going toward it when all hell had broken loose. There had been the lights, and people yelling, and Bruce grabbing her, and Ellen yelling at him to leave her alone.
    Now that she thought about it, she didn’t think that anyone else had noticed the watch. They’d been too busy screaming at her. In fact, she was pretty positive they hadn’t. So if they hadn’t picked it up, that meant the watch should still be here. Unless Bernie was right and the forensics guys had swept the place for evidence, which they clearly hadn’t done, because if they had there wouldn’t be trash lying around. Of course, she could be in the wrong spot.
    Libby had just opened her eyes and was doing one last visual sweep of the ground in front of her before she moved on to another area when she sensed someone behind her. So did Bernie. The sisters whirled around at the same time.
    A man was standing in back of them. “Do you mind if I ask what you ladies are doing here?” he said.
    â€œNot at all,” Bernie answered.
    She put the guy at somewhere between twenty-six and thirty. He was definitely good looking, Bernie would give him that, even if he was a little too preppy for her taste. He looked to be average weight and height. He had regular features, short dark brown hair and hazel eyes, and was neatly dressed in a white polo shirt, a pair of khakis, and a pair of Docksiders sans socks.
    Libby was a little less polite. “I’m looking for something, if you must know.”
    â€œIndeed, I must.” The man waggled his eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.
    Libby couldn’t help it. She burst out laughing.
    â€œAnd what would that be?” the man continued.
    â€œA watch. I’m looking for a watch,” Libby answered. “Now it’s your turn.”
    â€œTo what?” the man asked.
    â€œTo introduce yourself.”
    He made a deep bow. “I am the Joker.”
    Bernie couldn’t help smiling. “Funny you don’t look like him.” She took a step forward. “Seriously, who are you?”
    The man grinned. “Who are you?”
    â€œDo you always answer a question with a question?” Bernie asked.
    The man’s grin grew wider. “Do you?”
    Bernie laughed. “Okay. You win. I’m Bernie Simmons.” She gestured to Libby. “And this is my sister, Libby. Now it’s your turn.”
    â€œNot a problem.” He gave a small bow. “My name is Cole Webster and I’m in charge of this place. At least for the moment.”
    â€œWhere’s Isaac?” Libby asked.
    Cole smiled. “Where do you think?”
    â€œFishing,” Bernie promptly answered.
    Cole grinned. “The lady wins the prize.”
    â€œHow long is he gone for?” Bernie asked.
    â€œA while. He and Mina are somewhere out in Alaska. Some small town, somewhere. Mina had a heart attack recently.”
    Bernie put her hand to her mouth. “Oh no.”
    â€œIt’s nothing serious. Just a minor one. But they decided to take a break. They’re even talking about catching a cruise from Anchorage down the inland passage.”
    Bernie raised an eyebrow. “A cruise? I can’t picture either of them doing that. They never sit still.”
    â€œI know.” Cole suppressed a yawn. “Sorry about that, but I haven’t gotten much sleep recently. I guess it’s a case of ‘gather ye rosebuds while ye may,’ and all that stuff. I’m Mina’s cousin,”