Read Lowcountry Bombshell (A Liz Talbot Mystery) for Free Online Page B

we’re going,” I said.
    Calista passed me on her way to the door. “Do you mind driving?”
    “I insist.”
    Niles followed us out to the Escape. He hovered over Calista as she slid into the passenger seat, lodging one protest after another. He was still carrying on as I turned the car around and drove down the driveway.
    I turned left onto Ocean Boulevard, making my way towards the ferry dock. “He’s very attentive.”
    “Niles? Yes. He worries about my stress level.”
    “How long have you known him?”
    “Since just after I moved back to South Carolina. I’ve been practicing yoga for years. When I moved to Wild Dunes eighteen months ago, I started taking classes at Serenity in Mount Pleasant. I’d been there a few months when Niles came to work there. He was always my favorite instructor. After a while he started giving me private lessons. He’s a good friend.”
    I wondered if Calista had any friends she didn’t pay. “Is he from here?”
    “I don’t think so. He moved downfrom Vermont.”
    Ocean Boulevard dead-ended at Main Street. I turned right. This section of Main was residential, with brick sidewalks shaded by live oaks draped in Spanish moss.
    “I wish it was cool enough to roll the windows down,” Calista said.
    “Me, too. But the exterior thermostat says ninety-eight. I think we’ll leave the windows up and the AC on if you don’t mind.”
    I bore right into the traffic circle that bordered the park in the middle of town.
    Calista said, “I’ve loved this little town since I first laid eyes on it. It’s like the postcard for small towns. Bigger than Mayberry—you know what it reminds me of?”
    “What?” I glanced down the picturesque row of shops on Palmetto Boulevard as we rounded the circle.
    “Bedford Falls.”
    “Bedford Falls?” I turned right and continued down Main.
    “You know, from the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life . Lots of people watch that movie at Christmas. I watch it all the time. I’d like to live in that town. This is the closest thing I’ve ever found. Except there’s no snow here. Everything is so green. It’s perfect.”
    “Yes, it is. Calista, if you had an appointment with Harmony this afternoon, why was Niles at your house? Neither of you were dressed for yoga.”
    “He came by to drop off some essential oils. Lavender, chamomile, and sweet marjoram to help me relax. Niles helps me manage my stress level. Yesterday at our session, I was very stressed.”
    “How much have you told him?”
    “Nothing about the money. Nothing about my history. All he knows is that I’m a widow who traveled a bit and now lives on Stella Maris. I got the call from Harmony’s assistant while he was there. He was just doing what any friend would do. Comforting me.”
    “So you and he are not involved romantically?”
    “Oh my, no. Niles is gay.”
    “Really?” I’d read him wrong, and that unsettled me. I would’ve sworn he was exuding pheromones at both Calista and me.
    “Yes. He’s confided in me about his boyfriend. They fight a lot. I think his boyfriend is very jealous.”
    “So what does he think you’re stressed about, if he doesn’t know you’re in fear for your life?”
    Calista shrugged. “What is anyone stressed about? When he asks, I just say my investments, or mention something vague about family.”
    “Does he ask you a lot of questions?”
    “You mean like you do?”
    “I’m a private investigator. You are paying me good money to ask questions. You are paying him for personal fitness training and what-all. You’ll notice I haven’t said ‘Namaste’ once.”
    “I see your point.” Ordinary conversation sounded like bedroom talk coming from Calista.
    “So, does he ask you a lot of questions?”
    “Not that I’ve noticed,” she said, her voice oozing sensuality.
    “Have you always talked like that?”
    “Like what?”
    “Like…like Marilyn. All breathless and…” I parked to wait for the cars coming off the ferry.
    “Yes.