Couples
Chapter 47
With her feet up on a table, Lanie carefully studies Manuel Garces' autopsy report. "It looks like your detective wasn't the only one in a hurry to retire. This was Blake Donovan's case before he moved to Belize. He could have done more with it."
"Do you have any doubt about the cause of death?" Kate asks.
"About a GSW being the COD, no. But there's more to it than that. The bullets were recovered. They didn't match any ballistics we had on file, but they weren't American-made. They were imports. We don't see that very often. The U.S. manufactures more than enough bullets. Donovan should have made a point of that. It might have been possible to trace them. You still might be able to trace them. Also, whoever shot Garces was no expert. Only one bullet hit a vital organ, Garces' liver. The rest were in soft tissue or muscle. If Garces had made it to a hospital fast enough, he could have survived. An experienced killer or better marksman would have placed the shots in a way more likely to be fatal."
"So Garces was killed by imported bullets shot by an amateur shooter," Kate sums up.
"That's it, girlfriend. Now I have to get back to the lab. Lorne is moving in tomorrow, and I'm taking a couple of days to help him get settled. I want to make sure my work is buttoned up before I do."
"Are you going to ask him the question?" Kate prods.
"What question?"
Kate rolls her eyes. "Whether he's as desperately in love with you as you are with him, and/or if he's thinking about marriage."
"What do you want me to do?" Lanie demands. "Say, 'oh by the way, do you want to marry me,' while I'm unpacking boxes?"
"It's as good a time as any," Kate retorts. "And it would be better than driving yourself crazy wondering if he cares about you as much as you care about him. Lanie, you're one of the most direct people I've ever known. The longer you wait, the more miserable you're going to make yourself, and probably for no reason. Every move he's made screams how much he wants to be with you. Just tear off the band-aid. You'll feel better."
"I suppose you're right," Lanie allows. "I'll think about it."
"Just talk to the man. I may have some people to talk to also. I have a pretty good idea who might have been using imported bullets. If I'm right, I should be able to make a connection. Thanks, Lanie, I needed that."
"I needed what you told me too. I am going to figure out how to ask."
A grinning Alexis studies the framed poster of the Mount Everest Sundae, Spangler's claim to fame. She likes banana splits, but that creation is awe-inspiring. Her only prayer at getting through one is to share it with Dana, but she'll have to get through the rest of dinner first.
Ginny Wygard has always been friendly, and the teen welcomes her enthusiasm about working on the wedding. However, other than the woman's famous artistry as a quilter, Alexis isn't sure what her skill set might be. She knows firsthand from working with Holly just how demanding and time-consuming wedding planning is. A friendly meal is as good a time as any to feel Ginny out. The hostess leads the way to a corner booth where they can talk in peace. That should help.
When the server delivers pot roast for three, Dana notes his mother studying the gravy as if she can figure out the secret by looking at it. He hopes she'll concentrate as hard on wedding issues.
Ginny spoons smooth brown liquid over her mashed potatoes before looking up at Alexis. We were talking about your color scheme. As a quilter, I've been mixing and matching colors for more years than I care to remember. Sometimes they send a message. Is there something you'd like your wedding to say?"
Alexis and Dana look at each other. He shrugs. "Besides loving each other, I haven't even thought about it," Alexis confesses. "Maybe searching for truth. That's what Dana and I do in the lab every day. It's a big part of what brought us together."
"And the way we want to live," Dana adds.
"Love and truth," Ginny considers. "Hearts are symbols of love, but as much Valentine's Day as a wedding. There are a lot of others, roses, swans and doves, knots, shells…"
"Wait, shells?" Alexis interrupts.
"Yes, I made a quilt for a couple who requested patterns with shells. They were both collectors but loved the symbolism."
"Shells are a love symbol for my father and Kate, too," Alexis recalls. "My dad took a bunch of shells they gathered when they were beachcombing and put them in a shadow box they have in their bedroom. And shells are great for the Hamptons. They're pretty much part of the atmosphere."
"They would work for seeking the truth too," Dana points out. "The appearance of a shell reveals almost nothing about what's inside. Shells tell you to look below the surface."
Ginny stares at her son in surprise. "I had no idea you've become such a philosopher."
Dana reaches for his fiancée's hand. "Alexis brings out the depths in me, about a lot of things."
Ginny clears her throat. "Then I guess it's settled. We go with shells for love and truth. From the little Dana's told me so far, the Hampton's house's grounds can accommodate almost any number of guests. How many guests are you thinking about?"
Again, the couple exchanges looks. "We haven't gotten that far," Alexis admits.
"But we don't want a circus, do we?" Dana wonders.
"No, we don't," Alexis agrees, "but we don't want to shut anyone out either. We shouldn't start off our married life off with any hard feelings against us."
Ginny takes a sip from her water glass. "You two are going to have to talk to each other more about that."
"We will," Dana responds hurriedly. "Can we move on to something else?"
Ginny turns back to Alexis. "How about your dress?"
Alexis takes a breath. "My grandmother said that her costume mistress can do it. I haven't had much chance to talk to her about it yet. Gram's always come through with things like that." She swallows. "But I'll let you know right away if it looks like it isn't happening."
"Please do," Ginny urges. "Needlework is very close to my heart."
"I understand," Alexis acknowledges.
"That wasn't too bad," Alexis decides as Dana walks her to the subway. "But the whole dress thing could turn into a mess. If Gram handles it, your mom will be disappointed. But if Gram waits too long and I ask your mother to do it, Gram will be upset. Maybe I should get married in a T-shirt and jeans."
"Do you want to get married in a T-shirt and jeans?" Dana asks.
"No. My dad was right. I do want the fairy tale complete with the perfect white dress."
"You're always making schedules. Give one to your Gram," Dana suggests. "If she can't meet it, she won't have much to say if you take it to my mother. Mom really does love to sew. I sometimes think she does it in her dreams."
Alexis snuggles into his side. "That's a good idea, But I have a feeling that someone isn't going to be happy. And I hate that."
Dana presses a kiss to her temple. "Yeah, I know you do."