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boyfriend?
    When Elijah had dropped Ginger off at the bakery after
their visit with Kayla, she noticed that Lacey was being unusually quiet. She
couldn’t tell whether she was mad at somebody or upset about Navy. She
considered taking her aside and having a talk with her. But Lacey could be
moody—even on a good day. Ginger decided to leave her alone.
    Lacey had reason to be upset about Navy. The two had
dated for a long time. And even though they were no longer together, Ginger had
the impression that Lacey still had feelings for him.
    She had often wished that Lacey would just get over
him, once and for all. Ginger wanted to see Lacey move on with her life—and
allow herself to be happy. The young woman was special to Ginger—almost like
the daughter she never had.
    There were several things Ginger would need to share
with the police—if Navy’s death was ruled a murder. She would be obligated to
tell everything she knew.
    And the thing that bothered her the most was the
panties the deputies found under the front seat of Navy’s car. She was fairly
certain that they weren’t Kayla’s. Could they be the murderer’s?
    Ginger prayed that she was wrong, but she was almost
sure the panties belonged to Lacey.
     

8 - Danny's Temper
    Coreyville Coffee Cakes was open Monday through
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Most of the customers came early in the
morning or for a coffee break at around 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. Ginger had
learned through trial and error that staying open past 3:30 was not profitable.
    This particular Saturday had been filled with all the
talk of Navy Newcomb. Every customer had an opinion. Some said he had it
coming. Folks debated what had really happened to him. Was it accidental or
murder?
    The last customer walked out at 3:28, and Cheryl
locked the front door and flipped the sign to ‘Closed.’ Lacey began to scrub
each table with a hot, soapy dishcloth while Danny swept and mopped the floors.
Cheryl went into the office to do her bookwork and prepare the checks and cash
for bank deposit.
    At about 4:00, Cheryl walked out of the office. Lacey
and Danny were sitting in the dining area, several tables apart, ignoring each
other.
    “Ready to go?” Cheryl always insisted that they wait
for her. She wasn’t comfortable going out into the alley by herself carrying a
bag full of money—even in a law abiding town like Coreyville.
    “Yeah,” said Danny.
    Danny and Lacey stood up.
    “What’s the matter with you two?” said Cheryl, in her
usual rapid-fire style. “You look like you just missed the last bus to
Christmas.”
    “Nothing,” said Lacey.
    “Look,” said Cheryl, “I’m tired of lying to Ginger.
What do you care if she knows you’re living together? If you’re so ashamed of
it, you shouldn’t be doing it.”
    “Ask her ,” said Danny.
    Cheryl looked at Lacey. “Well?”
    “Because she’ll be disappointed in me,” said Lacey
with her head hung low.
    “Why?” said Danny. “Because I’m not good enough for
you?”
    “I didn’t say that,” said Lacey.
    “Never mind,” said Cheryl. “Let’s go. If I don’t get
home soon and get out of these shoes, my feet are gonna kick my butt to
sorry-ville.”
    The three walked to the back kitchen door. Danny
followed Lacey to her car as Cheryl locked up. They waited for Cheryl to drive
away first.
    On the way to Lacey’s apartment, neither she nor Danny
said a word. Once they were inside, Danny let loose.
    “I’m sick of this!” He snatched a ceramic coffee cup
off the top of a bookshelf and threw it down. It hit the edge of the coffee
table and exploded into dozens of pieces that flew all over the living room.
    Lacey broke down. She collapsed onto the couch, crying
aloud.
    Suddenly Danny felt like a creep. He rushed to her
side. “I’m sorry, Lacey. Please forgive me.” Why had he done that? Danny had
never gotten violent around Lacey before. He’d always been able to control his
rage in her presence. “I’m sorry I