Page 23 of Sangre
Chapter Seven
“Do you rememberSharla Davidson?” Madison asked as she buttered a roll.
It’d been two days since she’d had dinner with Sangre, and Isla couldn’t get him out of her mind. She looked up from the menu. “Vaguely. Refresh my memory.”
“She was in our class at Jefferson. She’s the one who got most of the leads in the plays.”
Isla tilted her head back then snapped it forward. “I remember her now. I haven’t thought about her since I moved to California. What about her?”
“She was murdered this past Sunday. She was the lead in the local play, and they had a dress rehearsal that night. The janitor found her sprawled on the floor.” Madison took a bite of her roll and chewed while she darted her eyes all around before leaning over the table. “Her throat had been slit. Isn’t that horrible?” she whispered.
Isla’s hand clutched the top of her blouse. “How terrible. Do the police have any suspects yet?”
Shaking her head, she took another bite. “Nope. She’s the third one to be killed like this.” She shuddered. “It’s too creepy and awful. A few months ago, Lizbeth Kelly was killed in the same way. She was coming back from choir practice and someone grabbed her. At least that’s what the theory is. Then about eight months ago, Taylor Prentice was found in her apartment—throat slashed. It’s all too horrible.”
“Are the police saying it’s the same person?”
“Not officially, but unofficially they think the same person did it. Do you want to know what’s even freakier?” Madison paused for dramatic effect. “They all went to Jefferson and were in our class.”
A shiver climbed up Isla’s spine. “Are you sure?” The fan letters flashed in her mind. A sense of foreboding evil wrapped around her, squeezing her tightly as if to suffocate her. “Oh!” she cried out. A few patrons turned to look at her, and she grabbed her glass of white wine and took a big gulp.
“What’s wrong?” Madison said, buttering her second roll.
“Nothing. I’m just a little freaked by what you said. How do you know all this?”
“My sister works in the sheriff’s office. She’d kill me if she knew I told you. Don’t say anything.”
“I won’t. I thought small towns were supposed to be safe.”
“That’s the irony of it. Most people think that, so they become laissez-faire about locking their doors, windows, and cars. In a big city, no one would think of leaving their door open, but it happens all the time here, especially during the day.” She paused to look down at the menu. “What are you having?”
“I think I’ll just have a Cobb salad. I’m not that hungry.” Casually, Isla glanced over her shoulder and breathed out a sigh of relief when she spotted Mark. It made her feel so much safer knowing she had someone looking out for her.
“Now I’m going to feel like a pig if I have the pasta Alfredo. Do you want to split an appetizer with me? The potato skins are to die for.”
“That’s fine.” Looking around the small eatery decorated in pastel colors and bright ceramic accents, Isla reclined in the white wrought iron chair. “It’s so cheerful and cute in here. It’s packed too. I’m glad we came earlier so we didn’t have to wait in that long line.”
Madison looked behind her. “Itisa long line. That’s why I said we had to come early. I don’t know why they don’t take reservations. I love it here. Vesta Grill opened about a year ago. They make killer cocktails. Are you sure you don’t want one? I’m going to try an apple martini.”
“I’m good with my wine. So how’s it working out with Miguel?”
“Good. We should double date now that you’re out of hiding. Maybe you could ask Steve.”
Isla frowned. “You mean Sangre? I’m not sure he’d want to go, especially if it’s labeled a ‘date.’” She shook her head, “Anyway, we’re just friends, and I’m going out with Benz.”
“Maybe he’d want to go. I’d love to meet him up close, but, I thought you were going to break up with him.”
“Me too. I caved in and am giving him another chance. It’s so strange with some guys. Benz pursued me for four years, and I kept pushing him away because I thought it would fuck things up if we crossed that line in the band. Then I started to see a side of him he kept hidden from the other members. After a bottle of vodka and too much coke, we ended up screwing the crap out of each other. The next day, we were a couple. It went fine for a while, but then he started flirting with all the girls who’d hang in the front of the stage at our shows. I swore I’d never forgive him when he cheated on me, but after spending two months at the crazy house, his constant calling after I’d gotten here, and all the flowers and poems he’d sent me, I relented.”
“Are you in love with him?”
Inhaling deeply, she blew out slowly. “No. Maybe. I don’t know. It’s complicated.”
“If you don’t know—then you’re not, and love isn’t complicated, it’s wonderful.”
“Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked.
After they placed their order, Isla leaned forward and propped her elbows on the table. “I’ve never really been in love”—except with Sangre, but that was one-sided—“so I don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like between two people. I mean Benz is an okay guy, but he wants too much from me. He’s always pushing me, and I feel pressured. It pisses him off, and he used that as an excuse for straying with a groupie. Men…” She rolled her eyes.
