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Was he out on a chartered trip now? That didn’t make much sense All of Cape Hill was here

So, asn’t he?

Eh my head Lucas Ridley was probably Jillian’s friend as much as he was mine He owned a boat and certainly kne to sail

I scrolled through my contacts until I found his number and thumbed out a text

Me: Hey Did you go to Jillian’s memorial service today?

The three dots appeared on screen to tell , but then disappeared As I waited, an to type and then the dots disappeared This wasn’t that hard of a question to answer, and yet he struggled

Lucas: No, I’m in the Caribbean Hoas it?

Me: It was nice, but difficult Are you working?

It took hier to respond

Lucas: No Just felt like getting away

Thatdown the Atlantic coast was at least a five-day trip One that would require planning and preparation

Me: Let rab lunch

This time, there was no response

Maybe I’d caught him at a bad time, or in a place where cell service was spotty, but et a chance to dwell on it because the door behindopen with a creak and heavy footsteps announced so his way toward me, ore a black suit and a weary expression—one that was atypical for him

Uncomfortableness stiffened my posture “Wayne”

He tried to disguise his displeasure but failed When Jillian and I had been together, he’d insisted I call hi ere fao back to addressing him as Mr Lambert

Today was the first time I didn’t enjoy the irritation my supposed lack of respect caused him

“Christ, it’s cold out here,” he aze focused on the horizon It was quiet as he stared at the sunset, but it wasn’t peaceful The tension in ht, I found it difficult to breathe I’d had a lot of practice in rief

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I said in a hush