Beach Blanket Homicide (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 1)

“You’re welcome to come back anytime,” she says with a smile before going around to make small talk with the rest of the students.

Betty Jean slaps me on the back. “Look who’s having a hard time keeping up with the old folks. Ha-Ha!”

I make a mental note to step up my cardio routine.

“Say, now that you’re hanging out with the Geritol crowd, you should join our book club.”

“Oh, well, um…”

“This month we’re reading J.W. Quicksilver’s newest thriller. Four people are assassinated in the opening scene. It’s awesome.”

“J. W. Quicksilver? I’ve never heard of her. Or is it a him?”

“It’s a him, but that’s definitely a pen name. He probably has one of those big top-secret state department jobs because he sure does seem to know a lot of hush hush stuff. And those sex scenes. Whew!” Betty Jean fans herself with her hand. “If he’s done even half the stuff he writes about in his books, Mrs. Quicksilver is one lu-cky lady.”

“Mmm… I’ll think about it.”

A really buff guy wearing a black T-shirt walks through the hallway and is immediately picked up by Betty Jean’s radar. “There goes one of those yummy personal trainers! I need some help with the elliptical machine if you know what I mean. See you later, Lucy. And if you’re interested in the book club, we’re meeting next Thursday at my house. But don’t drag your feet. You need to let me know ASAP because technically, there’s a waiting list. But if you promise to bring muffins, I’ll shoot your name up to the top.” She sprints across the room to catch up to the trainer.

I stuff my water bottle back inside my workout bag and turn to leave when Jim comes over to say hi. “Good class, huh?”

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think it would be this challenging.”

His gaze lingers on Viola, who’s sti

ll talking to a few of the ladies. “She really knows her stuff.” The way Jim looks at her makes me nervous for him. I hope he realizes that Viola and Gus are an item. “Want to get a smoothie?” he asks. “My treat.”

“Sounds good. Thanks.”

The fresh juice bar is located near the back of the rec center and has an outdoor patio facing the water. Jim hands me my pineapple mango vitamin enhanced smoothie, and we sit at the lone empty table.

“How are you liking retirement?” I ask.

“More than I thought I would. There’s always something that needs doing. And this new center is great. I signed up for a pottery class that Viola recommended.”

I glance back toward the building, and my whole body involuntarily shivers.

He notices my reaction. “Are you all right?”

I don’t have to ask what he means by that. “Will, that’s my best friend, thinks I have PTSD.”

“In my experience as a homicide detective, I’ve seen a lot of people go through a myriad of emotions when they encounter a dead person.”

I tell Jim all about Abby’s connection with Sebastian, the bit about Phoebe and Abby vying for control of the Sunshine Ghost Society, Paco, my visit to Derrick Delgado, everything. He’s so easy to talk to it all just spills out. Every now and then he nods his head encouraging me to continue. I can see why he was such a good detective. He’s the kind of person other people want to tell things.

“So what do you think?” I ask.

“I’m not a psychologist, but I don’t think you have PTSD.”

“Neither do I.” We both smile. “Can I ask how you’d solve this case?”

“Well, like my son, I’d like to know what Abby was doing inside this building late at night. And I’d like to know who she wanted an exorcism performed on and why she lied about the dog. But unless Father Sebastian opens up…” His brow puckers in concern. “I’ll be honest, Lucy, once that autopsy report comes back, I wouldn’t be surprised if your brother is brought down to police headquarters for questioning.”

“But he didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Then he doesn’t have anything to worry about.”

“That’s what he says, but you and I both know that if Abby told him anything in confidence, he won’t reveal it.”