Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1) by Maureen K. Howard Page B
Authors: Maureen K. Howard
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sucked in air at the same time and stood staring at one another in the new silence.
June took a deep breath before asking, “Do you think Hamm knows something? Did he say anything to you last night? He must know something. Why else would he have been acting so strangely last night?”
My mind was reeling. I remembered my husband’s torn, dirty clothes; that smoky, sweet odor that clung to him; and his strange behavior. His explanation for all of these things had to be the truth. I believed him, of course, but so much was happening so quickly I was having difficulty processing everything.
“Come on, Francie. Let’s go back outside.” June’s warm, steady hand was on my elbow, guiding me out the door and back to the party where everything looked natural and unexceptional.
I scanned the crowd for Hamm, trying to ignore the sense of dread rising like a yeasty loaf in my stomach. I needed to see him, put my arms around him, look into his eyes. I really needed to talk to him.
“There he is, June. I need to find out what’s going on. Stay here.”
“No way I’m standing by and missing the scoop. No way! Let’s go.”
Hamm was on the beach, staring across the water in the direction of Kelleys Island. He looked like a stone statue silhouetted against the marble sky. Detective Morgan was walking toward him. June and I made our way through the crowd of friends and club acquaintances who were busy trying to get the scoop on the fire. Snippets of theories and speculations brushed by us as we kept our course toward the two men.
I was about to call out a greeting as soon as we cleared the party but changed my mind and held my tongue when I heard Morgan’s voice.
“I’ll stay in touch. Don’t make any plans to leave town for a while.”
Hamm appeared calm and relaxed when Morgan turned back toward him. “Hey, do you happen to have a light? This time I saved my daily indulgence for tonight.” He casually pointed a cigar in Hamm’s direction.
“Sorry, Jack, my lighter went missing some time last night, probably when we were at the Island House. Seems like I’ve had problems holding on to that thing lately.”
Morgan narrowed his eyes but said nothing. He stood for a few seconds without moving, then turned back toward the club and walked in our direction. We weren’t exactly spying, or even eavesdropping, but somehow I felt like we’d been caught red-handed.
“Good evening ladies. It’s a great night for a party.” He gave June an appraising look from her headband right down to her painted toes. I wouldn’t have been surprised if the sand under her feet turned to glass from all of the heat emanating between them. “I wish I could stay for the festivities, but duty calls. Night, June.” I thought I heard him humming as he walked away.
June stood melted to the sand, watching Jack leave, but I made a beeline for Hammond. “Oh, honey, what was that all about? Was Jack questioning you? What did he want? What did you say? Where is he going now? Does he think…?”
Hamm placed his strong hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. “First of all, Francesca, breathe.”
I gulped a mouthful of air and waited. He glanced at June, still standing a few paces off then directed his gaze back to my face. “Listen, everything is fine. Morgan is just doing his job. He wondered if we saw or heard anything out of the ordinary last night. That’s all. Just routine.”
“So he told you about Ruby’s? Can you believe it? We just caught the newscast at the club. I’m still in shock.”
Hamm softly repeated, “Just routine, just doing his job.” I wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince me or himself.
“Come on. Let’s go back to the party. I could use a drink.”
I looked down at my empty wine glass. “I couldn’t agree more.”
June followed us up the beach about a half step behind then veered off toward a trio of friends on the patio. Hamm and I made our way to the bar where he ordered a double
June took a deep breath before asking, “Do you think Hamm knows something? Did he say anything to you last night? He must know something. Why else would he have been acting so strangely last night?”
My mind was reeling. I remembered my husband’s torn, dirty clothes; that smoky, sweet odor that clung to him; and his strange behavior. His explanation for all of these things had to be the truth. I believed him, of course, but so much was happening so quickly I was having difficulty processing everything.
“Come on, Francie. Let’s go back outside.” June’s warm, steady hand was on my elbow, guiding me out the door and back to the party where everything looked natural and unexceptional.
I scanned the crowd for Hamm, trying to ignore the sense of dread rising like a yeasty loaf in my stomach. I needed to see him, put my arms around him, look into his eyes. I really needed to talk to him.
“There he is, June. I need to find out what’s going on. Stay here.”
“No way I’m standing by and missing the scoop. No way! Let’s go.”
Hamm was on the beach, staring across the water in the direction of Kelleys Island. He looked like a stone statue silhouetted against the marble sky. Detective Morgan was walking toward him. June and I made our way through the crowd of friends and club acquaintances who were busy trying to get the scoop on the fire. Snippets of theories and speculations brushed by us as we kept our course toward the two men.
I was about to call out a greeting as soon as we cleared the party but changed my mind and held my tongue when I heard Morgan’s voice.
“I’ll stay in touch. Don’t make any plans to leave town for a while.”
Hamm appeared calm and relaxed when Morgan turned back toward him. “Hey, do you happen to have a light? This time I saved my daily indulgence for tonight.” He casually pointed a cigar in Hamm’s direction.
“Sorry, Jack, my lighter went missing some time last night, probably when we were at the Island House. Seems like I’ve had problems holding on to that thing lately.”
Morgan narrowed his eyes but said nothing. He stood for a few seconds without moving, then turned back toward the club and walked in our direction. We weren’t exactly spying, or even eavesdropping, but somehow I felt like we’d been caught red-handed.
“Good evening ladies. It’s a great night for a party.” He gave June an appraising look from her headband right down to her painted toes. I wouldn’t have been surprised if the sand under her feet turned to glass from all of the heat emanating between them. “I wish I could stay for the festivities, but duty calls. Night, June.” I thought I heard him humming as he walked away.
June stood melted to the sand, watching Jack leave, but I made a beeline for Hammond. “Oh, honey, what was that all about? Was Jack questioning you? What did he want? What did you say? Where is he going now? Does he think…?”
Hamm placed his strong hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. “First of all, Francesca, breathe.”
I gulped a mouthful of air and waited. He glanced at June, still standing a few paces off then directed his gaze back to my face. “Listen, everything is fine. Morgan is just doing his job. He wondered if we saw or heard anything out of the ordinary last night. That’s all. Just routine.”
“So he told you about Ruby’s? Can you believe it? We just caught the newscast at the club. I’m still in shock.”
Hamm softly repeated, “Just routine, just doing his job.” I wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince me or himself.
“Come on. Let’s go back to the party. I could use a drink.”
I looked down at my empty wine glass. “I couldn’t agree more.”
June followed us up the beach about a half step behind then veered off toward a trio of friends on the patio. Hamm and I made our way to the bar where he ordered a double
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