Page 8 of Donut Disaster
“Dead?” Dr. Drake’s voice hikes as if he were amused.
“It can’t be.” Sandra shakes her head. “You must have found someone else. He was just right here with us. We were about to sing you a song. Surely this is some sick joke.” She looks to me for some respite. “Say it isn’t so.” Her voice breaks.
“I’m sorry.” I shake my head.
“No!” She falls to her knees, her face white with shock.
“Come here.” Dr. Drake helps her up once again. “Let’s get you some cold water.”
Everett lifts a hand. “I’ll get it.”
Noah excuses himself as Dr. Drake helps Sandra to the nearest bench.
I’m about to head over and join them, but I’m stopped cold as I spot a couple of women arguing by the waterline. Without thinking, I make my way over. It’s Cassie and Anika battling it out by way of a salty verbal exchange. Every now and again I hear the wordshe’s mine. It’s clear they’re fighting over Morgan. I should tell them the news before they hear it from someone else.
Just as I’m about to make my way down, Everett shows up with a vaguely familiar looking man and woman with heavily highlighted locks of brown and blonde streaks streaming through her waves, glossy pink lips, and a pinched nose and smile. She’s wearing a tube top paired with a striped skirt and has a string of bangles running down both arms giving off a gypsy vibe.
Everett gives a mournful tick of the head. “Lemon, I just bumped into my old friend Jeremy and his wife.”
I suck in a quick breath. I’m positive Noah is looking for him as we speak. It feels as if someone just landed an anchor over my chest. I hate that we have to break the news to Morgan’s poor brother.
“Girlfriend.” The gypsy girl extends a hand. “Jessica Nicole. Jeremy doesn’t plan on proposing.” She smears a sarcastic smile across her face.
“Lottie Lemon,” I say, shaking her hand.
Everett takes a breath. “Jeremy is Morgan’s older brother. We all grew up together.”
“I see. It’s nice to meet you.”
He offers a warm smile and shakes my hand as well. “It’s nice to meet you, Lottie. Noah just touched base with me.” He glances to Everett. “I was hoping to wish him a happy birthday.”
Jessica Nicole rolls her eyes. “We just so happened to be at the Honey Festival and we heard about it. Don’t think for a minute that the great Dr. Dawson would have clued us in on a surprise party for an old friend.”
Jeremy grunts at the thought of his brother. “I don’t give a rat’s ass what that bastard does. I didn’t come here to see him. I couldn’t care less if the guy was dead.” He takes a swig of the bottle in his hand. “Have you seen him? Tell me which way he went and I’ll turn the other direction.”
“Just your typical night,” Jessica Nicole says while rubbing her arms and shivering even though it’s deathly balmy out. Come to think of it, I might be the only one sweltering at the moment. I did just run into a body and a talking dog. It’s safe to say there isn’t one typical thing about this night.
She nods my way as if agreeing. “Morgan thinks he’s better than us. He’s always thought he was better than me. I’d put him in his place myself if I could.” She gives a little wink as if maybe she did.
The whoop of a rescue vehicle sears through the night, and we all glance in that direction at the very same time.
“Looks like someone’s in trouble.” Jeremy cranes his neck, and Everett herds him a little farther from the scene.
“That’s what I’d like to talk to you about,” he says. “To the both of you.”
Jessica Nicole, the girl with two first names, shoots Jeremy a look as if she knows exactly where this is headed.
“I need to go.” She tries to bolt past me, and I catch her.
“Wait”—I gently pull her back—“you should hear this from us.”
Everett nods. “Someone shot Morgan tonight. He’s gone, Jeremy. I’m sorry.”
Jessica Nicole’s body goes rigid against me right before she staggers back.
She and Jeremy exchange a good long glance before Jeremy sighs.
“All right then. I guess it’s over.”