Free Splitsville.com by Tonya Kappes Page B

off. I take the key out and put it back in and turn. Still nothing.
    Click. Click.
    Great. Of all the times I need it to start, it won’t. Dead as a cold fish, as Aunt Matilda would say.
    Please start, please start. I beg to myself with my eyes tightly closed and turn the key one more time. If I need good karma, right now would be the time.
    Click. Click.
    There’s a knock on the driver’s side window. Startled, I practically leap across my seat. Michael is smiling down at me. “Do you need help?” he asks.
    I glance out the window and see Belle sniffing my tires.
    Click. Click.
    “It’s not going to start,” Michael affirms what I already know, and reclines himself up against the car, arms crossed. He doesn’t budge. He nods to a pedestrian passing by. For a guy who’s just been dumped by his girlfriend who turned up murdered, he sure does have an upbeat personality. “I can check under the hood.”
    I glance at the photo wedged between me and the seat to make sure I’ve got the right guy. Yep, positive. The slightly turned front tooth is a dead give-a-way as his lips turn up in a smile.
    The steering wheel jabs my breastbone as I lean into it. Surely I misread his aura, I make my eyes to go out of focus and scan his profile as he picks Belle up. The overwhelming lavender confirms there is no way he killed Dabi. He couldn’t kill a fly. I’d bet money on it.
    With a groan, I get out of the car. Maybe my aura reading is a little rusty.
    He puts the Belle back down and steps up on the curb away from my car. “Every morning Belle meets all her friends at the park,” he explains.
    He’s much taller than I envisioned him from his picture. Dabi sent a photo from the chest up and definitely a few years old. His hair is much shorter and he’s not as preppy in person.
    I can see why Dabi’s dad wouldn’t approve. I’m positive he would prefer the clean cut type, not the disheveled Orlando Bloom look that Michael seems to favor. Plus the little tuft of hair under his lip makes him appear to be more of a bad boy than he really is. He’s not fooling me. Or should I say his aura’s not.
    “Funny name for a man’s dog.” I want to get some answers and fast.
    “My girlfriend, er, ex, er, dead ex girlfriend gave her to me.” The look on my face must’ve said all the words swirling around in my head. “My girlfriend broke up with me and then turned up murdered.”
    His face turns solemn. He reminds me of the guys who cry during Barbara Walter’s interviews. Nonetheless, I still don’t let my defense down.
    “Hh!” I gasp out loud. I can’t believe he’s just unloaded on me—a perfect stranger. What else will he tell me?
    “What?” He stands up tall, and jabs a finger at me. “No, hell no. I didn’t kill her, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
    “Well I’m thinking it.” I take a step back closer to my car. If he’s willing to talk about it, I’m willing to ask. “You don’t run into someone who tells you their girlfriend broke up with them and then she’s murdered. Are you a suspect?”
    I want to tell him anyone with a lavender aura couldn’t kill a spider, but I don’t I stay on guard.
    “I don’t think so. At least no one’s come to see me.” He looks off into the distance. “I have my suspicions, but I’ll leave it up to the police.” His eyes dip. “Do I know you?”
    Shit! Shit!
    “A…no.” I change back to my girly voice and open my car door to retrieve my phone. I have to change the subject. I quickly dial Erin’s phone number. “I walk the park.”
    “I swear I’ve heard your voice.” Michael inquisitively looks me over. Now I know it’s time to get out of here. If he recognizes me as Jenn from Splitsville.com, he’ll know this isn’t a coincidental meeting.
    “Hi, I need you to pick me up at Pleasant Ridge Park.” Erin tries to ask questions as to why I’m out at 7:30 in the morning when I never get up any earlier than 10 a.m. “I’ll explain when you get