Page 66 of The Summer Request

Michelle handed off the phone and pulled Lisa aside.

“I just found out Zora owns the house.”

“Really?” Lisa nodded, impressed. “Good for her.”

“Yeah…”

Lisa leaned in and dropped her voice. “I didn’t tell the police about the car. I thought Lou was going to kill you. I panicked! I didn’t mean tosteal his car andrun it into the – ”

She waved a hand. “You did great. Don’t worry about it. I don’t think you’re getting in trouble for it. Zora got us insurance on the rental, so it doesn’t matter. It’s all fine.”

Lisa let out a sigh. She stared at Michelle, a small smile passing her face. “What do you think of Mister Hunky Neighbor? He seemed to like you.”

Michelle rolled her eyes. “Okay, thank you. That’s enough.”

“What if we invited him to – ”

“No.” Michelle looked at her and laughed. This was all too absurd.

“I’m just kidding, sorry. Bad joke. He was just so willing to help and he got in that big truck and…”

“Iknow!” Michelle stifled a smile. “I’m not blind.”

They laughed quietly, the pressure of the moment lifting.

Michelle cleared her throat. “There’s something I need to show you.”

Lisa cocked her head to the side. “Okay?”

Just then, they heard commotion outside. It seemed Lou had returned to the property, ranting and raving, and had been promptly arrested.

Hunky Neighbor Guy laughed as Lou’s face was pressed into the dirt during handcuffing.

“When everyone is gone, I’ll show you.” Michelle added.

Lisa nodded. “Got it.”

Once the excitement was over and Michelle and Lisa were left to themselves, they locked the doors and convened in the kitchen.

Lisa turned to her. “Are you afraid? We can go somewhere else. I found a run-down motel you wouldn’t enjoy.”

Michelle laughed, walking back to the front door. “I’m not afraid anymore.” She picked up the diary from the floor. She dropped it in her panic. “I need you to see this.”

“What is it?” Lisa had taken a seat at the kitchen island and poured herself a glass of red wine. She offered some to Michelle.

“No thanks. Look.” Michelle lifted the notebook in her hands. “This is Justine’s last diary.”

“What!” Lisa reached out a hand. “Can I see?”

“Yeah. I only got a chance to read the last entry before Lou showed up.”

Lisa nodded, flipping too far initially before finding her place. She read the entry, then looked up at Michelle. “Who’s this guru she keeps talking about?”

“I don’t know.”

Lisa frowned. “Do you think Zora knew about him?”

Michelle hadn’t thought of that. “Maybe. I don’t know if Zora is…”