Chapter Text
Catherine finished her croissant and smiled brightly at her daughter, “He’s a doctor, new to the island. He works at the hospital part of the time and in private practice part of the time.”
“Maman…”
“He’s very nice, good-looking, too. Just about your age, I think. American.”
Camille sighed, “How do you find them?”
“He was out exploring the island, and he stopped here for lunch. It was a quiet day, so I chatted with him. When I heard he was new, I thought perhaps you could show him some of the island. I could make a picnic for you, and you can take him to a nice quiet beach.”
“Maman! Could you be any more obvious?” She set her coffee mug down so hard she spilled on the kitchen table.
“I didn’t say anything. I just told him a little about you and gave him your number. I didn’t set up a date for you. But if I hear he called and you said no, I will be very annoyed with you.”
“Oh, Maman, if he’s so great, why don’t you go out with him?”
“Now, Camille, he’s too young for me. Anyway, you’re the one who needs a husband. I want—”
“Don’t say it! I’m late for work. Thanks for breakfast, see you later.”
-o-o-o-o-
It was a quiet morning at the police station. Fidel had gone out to walk through the market. It was always good to keep a police presence, and he preferred keeping busy to waiting for forensics reports that wouldn’t arrive until the next day. And, although he’d hate to admit it, he enjoyed showing off his sergeant’s stripes. Dwayne, who generally preferred sitting to walking, was doing background checks on suspects. Camille was online, too, searching for information on the victim’s company.
Richard was doing his Richard thing, frowning at the white board and flipping through his notes. He hated the wait for forensics information. After the analysis of the scene and initial interviews, there was a lull that to him felt like time being wasted. He looked up when Camille’s mobile rang.
She answered without looking at the caller ID.
“Sergeant Bordey.”
“Hi, Camille? This is Jeff Simmons. Your mom gave me your number.”
“Yes, Dr. Simmons, how are you?”
“It’s Jeff, please. I’m fine. I don’t know if your mom told you, but I’m new to Saint Marie, and I don’t know many people outside the hospital.”
“Yes, she said you’d stopped in for lunch. I’m sorry if she was pushy about giving you my number. She does that sometimes.”
“No problem, moms can be like that. Actually, I was very pleased. I mean, it’s cool to pass the mom test before you even meet the daughter.”
Camille laughed, “I’ve never thought about it that way.”
“I was wondering if you’d be available for dinner some evening soon? I didn’t mean to assume you’d be available on short notice. Geez, this is awkward! But I’ve got two weeks of night on-call duty coming up, so I thought if I didn’t call you now, I’d have to wait until that was over. Any chance you’re free later this week?”
Camille glanced at Richard. He was trying very hard to look as if he wasn’t listening to her half of the conversation. She’d noticed the little flinch when she’d mentioned her mother giving Jeff her number. What the hell, one date wouldn’t break Jeff’s heart. And Richard could do with a bit of prodding.
“Actually, yes. How’s Thursday?”
“Thursday great. Um, I don’t know the hot spots around the island, so please choose a restaurant.”
“Do you like seafood?” Another glance told her that Richard knew she was setting up a date.
“Live for it!”
“Wonderful! I know a great seafood place.”
“Pick you up at seven?”
“Fine, we can meet at La Kaz. See you then, Jeff!”
Camille set down her phone and looked at Richard. Now he was scowling at the white board. Camille walked over to the board.
“So,” she said, “Who do you think did it?”
“It’s too soon to know, and guessing gets us nowhere.”
“I think—”
“No hunches, no I’ve got a feeling.”
“Actually, I was going to say that I think the marketing guy has the loosest alibi, and we should check that one first. Especially the time to drive from the restaurant where he said the meeting took place and the office. I think he could have made it back to the office in time. And then he just drove around until he could conveniently return after the secretary found the body.”
Camille drove. Richard fidgeted with the clasps on his briefcase.
“Could you please stop that?” she said.
“Stop what?”
“You’re fidgeting. What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing. Why does something have to be bothering me?”
“Because you fidget when something is bothering you.”
“Well, nothing is.”
She rolled her eyes.
“And don’t roll your eyes. I can see you do that, you know.”
The waiter and manager both remembered the marketing manager, and their estimates of the time he was at the restaurant matched. The manager confirmed that they had discussed changing the restaurant’s advertising plan. The alibi seemed to check out.
As they were leaving, Camille returned to the manager and asked about making a reservation. Richard went out to the car to wait for her.
Camille got in the car and buckled her seatbelt. “Let’s try the shortcut.”
“What shortcut?”
“To the victim’s office. Did you notice that the marketing guy’s car was dusty? It’s a back road, and it can be dusty. Check your watch.”
Camille turned onto what was definitely a back road. They bounced along, and finally Richard asked the question that had been on his mind since her phone had rung back at the office.
“Another blind date?”
“Yes. A doctor, new to the island.”
“English?”
“No.”
Richard looked surprised. Jeff Simmons didn’t sound French. Although Caribbean names could be anything, somehow it didn’t sound Caribbean, either.
Camille let him stew for a minute. Then she said, “American.”
“Oh.”
“Pediatrician.”
“Ah. Loves children, I see why your mother picked him out for you.”
“It isn’t just about grandchildren. Maman wants me to be happy.”
“Oof!” Richard was spared having to answer when the Rover hit a particularly bad pothole.
“Sorry!” Camille said. She pulled back onto a main road and asked, “How are we for time?”
“Tight, but he could have done it. It’s a hell of a road for a sedan, though. We should get Fidel or Dwayne to have a look under it to see if there are recent scuffs on the underside of the car.