Free Killer Cousins by June Shaw Page B

are,” Stevie said, reaching our table. “Oh, everything’s gone.”
    Gil no longer touched me. He looked unhappy. “I’m sorry that happened.” He stepped toward our waiter.
    “But we were finished with everything,” I said.
    He spoke to the waiter for only a second.
    Jake Bryant came rushing to Gil. “We need to talk.”
    Gil nodded. He smiled at our waiter, who hurried away. Then Gil came to us. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you.” He glanced at Stevie. His gaze held on mine. “I’ll look forward to seeing you another time. Soon.”
    “So nice to meet you,” Stevie said, accepting his handshake. “You certainly will see us again real soon.”
    Gil gave my shoulder a light squeeze. And then he was gone.
    Then I breathed.
    “Oh. My. God.” Stevie leaned toward me. “That man is gorgeous.”
    My throat stayed tight. I nodded.
    “So tell me how you know him. Oh, Cealie, you have a real hunk there.”
    I shook my head, finally loosening my throat so words could seep out. “No, he’s not mine. Not my hunk.” I shook my head.
    “Then tell me how he can be mine.”
    Okay, I didn’t really want to renew my relationship with Gil. But I sure didn’t think my cousin should try to hop in where I left off with him.
    “He’s a grown man. He can be with whoever he chooses,” I snapped.
    “Whomever,” she said, correcting me.
    “Yes.”
    “You own a copyediting agency and don’t know that?”
    “Of course I know it, but the word sounds pretentious. I don’t say whomever unless I need proper grammar. I don’t try to sound proper with you.”
    “Whatever.”
    “Whomever,” I said.
    Soon I could hear Gil’s voice. I quit talking and listened. He stood a few feet away from us, past tables filled with customers, and I could hear his annoyed tone with Jake. So unlike Gil to raise his voice.
    A distance beyond them, I was surprised to see Father Paul Edward and his female escorts still here. They sat on stools at the bar, all laughing. And was that orangey drink in the priest’s tall glass liquor?
    “She’s not!” Jake Bryant told Gil. His angry voice made customers at nearby tables stare at them. So did we.
    Gil touched Jake’s arm and tilted his head toward the rear of the building. They walked off, toward what would be the main office. There, Gil would let Jake share all of his complaints without other people listening.
    “At least we know what that’s about.” Stevie made her fingernails tap dance on a black square of our tablecloth.
    “I don’t even know who he’s talking about, so how could I know the problem?”
    “I’ll guarantee you, he’s talking about Babs.”
    “How would you know that?”
    “Uhhh.” Stevie touched her temple.
    I had no idea whether this meant she had figured out their problem or she was psychic and guiding spirits told her. Or maybe she had a headache.
    “We should go,” I said, catching the eye of our waiter. He headed in our direction, his cart filled with meals. “Can I have our check please?” I asked.
    “It’s taken care of.” He set shrimp and corn soup in front of me and added a plate of shrimp stew and lima beans.
    “I’m sorry, you’ve made a mistake.” I set the soup back on his tray.
    He returned the bowl in front of me. “I did, ma’am, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken your dishes away without finding out if you were finished eating.”
    “That’s no problem. We were done. Thanks, but we don’t want this.”
    “Speak for yourself.” Stevie grinned at the seafood platter placed in front of her.
    Our waiter gave us fresh iced tea. He set a strawberry daiquiri next to my glass. “Can I get you something from the bar, ma’am?” he asked Stevie.
    “I hardly ever drink,” she said, which surprised me. She’d yanked whiskey out of her kitchen cabinet to dump in our coffee after I’d tripped over her visitor. Now she eyed my glass holding the red drink. “But I’ll have one of those.”
    “Right away.” He