She's Not There - Madison Marla (читаем книги онлайн TXT) 📗

Tina hid behind her mother when she saw so many strangers but it wasn’t long until, lured by the stack of games, she joined the other two children on the floor in front of the fireplace.

Lisa was putting finishing touches on the centerpiece when Eric walked into the room. They’d been carefully avoiding each other all day. He broke the awkward silence by asking her about Paige.

“She finally called me back this morning. Her boyfriend made it home yesterday, and they were invited to another couple’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. She’s promised to come for Christmas.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Have you told her what you’re doing here?”

“No. I’m going to wait until I see her at Christmas.” Glad he’d broken the silence between them, Lisa was hoping to have a chance to talk to him alone, but knew it might not be possible with so many guests in the house.

The food was set out on the island buffet style, two large, golden turkeys proudly displayed, surrounded by all the traditional accompaniments.

When everyone was seated, their food steaming in front of them, Roland said grace. Charles sat next to him, fully recovered from the wounds of his attack.

The talk during the meal was spirited, none of it on the topic of missing women, abuse, or murder. Lisa had a passing, ironic thought how like a normal holiday gathering this scene would seem to an outside observer.

After the meal everyone able to stay headed for the living room to sit by the fire.

Once everyone had settled, Jeff said, “We forgot something important. We didn’t say what we were thankful for this year. I’m sure everyone can think of something they’re thankful for.”

TJ tilted back in a recliner, eyelids drooping. “Go ahead.”

Jeff grinned. “Sure, I’ll go first. I’m thankful to be sharing this day with all you wonderful friends. And I’m thankful Tina and Teresa are back together.”

Roland spoke next. “I’m thankful to be here, and thankful for TJ, who introduced me to all you people. And mostly, I’m thankful Charles is better and we were able to buy the loft apartment we’ve always wanted. We’ll be moving after the holidays, and you’re all invited to our housewarming party.”

The thankfulness traveled around the room until the children followed suit, expressing thanks for all the games, the good food, and for the desserts still to come. Teresa, with misty eyes and a voice choked with happiness, said how thankful she was to have her daughter back and for the people who found her: TJ and Jeff. And Eric, for sharing his home with them.

Lisa was silently thankful for the children, Lonnie and Jazz, who’d done what none of them had been able to accomplish—turn Tina back into a child.

Tina wiggled nervously when the other children looked at her expectantly. She looked around the room, and then ran to Jeff, hugged him, then TJ. To each of them she whispered a shy, “Thank you.”

The guests had all left by early evening. Lisa, dressed for the outdoors, went to the back door with Phanny.

Eric asked if he could join them. “I need to move. Burn off those two pieces of pie I ate.”

They went out into the crisp, evening air and strolled the grounds, avoiding the area still cordoned off with yellow crime-scene tape. It loomed in the background, oppressive as a funeral wreath.

Lisa broke the silence. “I think we should ask Maggie if the tape can come down, don’t you?”

“I don’t know. It only happened last Friday.”

It was hard to believe it hadn’t even been a week since a woman had lain dead in that spot. Lisa didn’t want to dwell on it, but knew because of their resemblance to each other, the other woman’s death would weigh on her forever. Pulling her mind from the morbid, she focused on how much she’d enjoyed the day in spite of the tension she’d felt with Eric.

“Eric, this was such a special day. Thank you for everything you put into it.”

“No thanks necessary. You’re right. It was special in spite of everything that’s happened.”

“We can’t overlook the good things we’ve done.”

Eric stopped to adjust Phanny’s collar. “No, but I’ve been thinking about Danielle’s murder. Someone—and I don’t think that someone is Mr. Wysecki—sees you as our ringleader and went after you hoping the rest of us would let it go once you were out of the picture. Danielle’s murder makes me more certain that we’re doing the right thing—this person has to be stopped.”

Lisa’s throat tightened. The fear she’d managed to set aside for the day crept through her like an oncoming case of the flu. She raised her gloved hands to her face to stave off a grimace. “You’re right—about all of it. But you know what I can’t make sense of—what was Wysecki doing here that night?” She exhaled, her breath creating a misty, white vapor in the cool evening air. “That’s a mystery we may never have the answer to unless he explains it to the police.”

Eric turned to her. “There is one more thing I’m thankful for today—you.” When she remained silent, he added softly, “You are what holds all of us together.”

She and Eric avoided the topic of the night before. They’d gotten back on normal ground, but what had happened needed to be discussed.

Lisa stopped walking. “I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have gone out without saying anything. I shouldn’t have gone out at all.”

He turned to her. “Lisa, I was way out of line—I felt like a real horse’s ass today.” He took a deep breath. “I was feeling sorry for myself last night, that’s why I went up to talk to you. I hoped you’d still be up. I needed a shoulder to cry on, I suppose.” He paused. “I needed your shoulder.”

Lisa, bewildered by the rush of feeling that overcame her with his words, whispered, “I needed someone, too.” She bent down to pet Phanny, who looked puzzled because they’d stopped walking. “Everything felt so overwhelming last night. For me, being with Tyler was like getting drunk. I forgot about everything while I was with him. Not the best choice, but no hangover.”

“I understand. Are we okay?”

Lisa felt like her next words would be critical to any friendship or relationship she’d ever have with Eric Schindler. She said, “Very okay,” and reached out to him.

He took her in his arms. She felt safe nestled against his wide chest, and wondered why she’d never seen past her petty annoyances to how good a man he really was. They broke the embrace as the security guard walked past and wished them a good evening.

She had to admit Eric could be kind and generous. That’s probably all there was to it. She didn’t need the complication of having romantic feelings for a man. Any man. Or worse, a man described by TJ as being in love with a ghost. Maybe her feelings were only lust—that she could deal with.

TJ was sharing the lower suite with her sister and planned on driving them home the next day. She’d go back to her apartment where she’d meet Richard for their trip to Wisconsin Dells. After Janeen and the kids had settled in for the night, TJ went upstairs to get a nightcap.

She wanted to talk to Lisa. Grabbing a nearly full bottle of wine, she picked up two glasses and padded up the steps. There was a light under the door to the apartment. After tapping softly on the door, TJ walked in and saw Lisa sitting on the couch, reading a book.

Lisa looked up. “Unusual for you to be awake this late. What’s going on?”

“Nothin’, just needed to tell you something before I leave.” TJ set down the wine glasses, and at a nod from Lisa, poured them each a glass of wine.

“Speaking of your weekend with Richard, are you sure it’s a good idea?”

TJ frowned. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I can think of a few reasons, but setting them aside for now, what’s on your mind?”

“Rollie and Charles.”

“What about them? They looked happy today.”

“They’re happy—it’s somethin’ else. Rollie told me he’s pretty sure Charles’ mugging wasn’t a mugging.”