My Spy 3: Murder Mayhem

Implode

Ryan texted me early the next morning saying he has his work cut out for him. He also promised to try and stop by the winery tonight to help ease my anxiety about the golf cart situation. Austin left as I was getting ready for work to see what they've gathered so far. He said he'd report anything he could when I got home from my shift.

I trot into work five minutes early and see a somber Tinsley wiping down menus at the hostess stand. I pull her in for a hug as soon as I reach her and I can see the tears pooling behind her eyes.

"I didn't even know if we was gonna open."

A frog catches in her throat and I nod.

"I wasn't sure either. How are her parents? Have they been here?" I ask and she shakes her head.

"No, this place was closed yesterday, but I got a message from Mr. Penderghast saying we needed to open today so people could come and pay respects. It's gonna be like a darn funeral here for the next few days I bet."

I look around the dark empty space and see our two sommeliers preparing the wine. I imagine half of Hollis will be here tonight to toast Poppy and mourn together. It's going to be a rough evening.

I watch as Tinsley flips the open sign on the door and it's only minutes later that people come pouring in. Everyone hugs Tinsley and me as we seat them around the winery and most people are ordering our finest glasses of wine or splurging on our expensive bottles. Both Mrs. Lucy and Mr. Huxley come to represent the Historical Society and I notice how shaken they both are. We all agree that it was unsettling to think we were all together only hours before.

The Samuels arrive with both of the Hemming's but I notice Jackson is not with his parents. When Scarlett pulls me in for a hug I ask, "How is Jackson?"

She frowns.

"He's thrown himself into helping the police. I haven't seen him since they broke the news and I imagine I won't until the case is closed."

I nod to her and she pulls away to find her seat with the Samuels.

Tinsley struts over to me and murmurs, "I ain't seen this place this packed ever. There are no more tables so it's standing room only at this point." She crosses out the last table on our seating chart and slumps against the cabinet that holds the silverware. I watch as her gaze shifts to the door and I spin around to see Annabeth and Gus pulling the door open. They are surprised to see the small place filled to capacity and I notice Annabeth's hand tightly gripping Gus's. He holds his arm out to me as he asks, "My sweets. How you holdin' up?"

I give him a quick hug before pulling Annabeth into me and reply, "It's been a somber night."

Annabeth gives me a small sympathetic smile and she leans further into me.

"I saw Jackson's car pull into the parking lot just now. I imagine he'll be pretty upset."

I swallow hard, knowing I don't want to see Jackson while he's upset. It would be far from appropriate for me to try and console him in any way, especially with eyes possibly watching.

"Maybe he's just poppin' by to thank everyone for coming tonight. I don't imagine he'll stay long," I tell them and Gus squeezes my shoulder before they push their way through the crowd. Tinsley is still slouched against the cabinet and I spot Jackson's dark hair coming toward the door. Tinsley spots him too and she grips my arm in anticipation. He swings the door open and I am stunned to see him barrel right towards me. His normally perfect hair is unkempt and he looks like he hasn't gotten any sleep. His manic blue eyes stare right at me and when he reaches the hostess stand, he snaps, "We gotta talk."