Killer Listing by Vicki Doudera Page B

partner.”
    She hung up and gave Darby a huge smile. “You will never guess who I have been talking to.”
    “Tag Gunnerson.”
    Helen’s smile turned to incredulity. “Yes! Well, not Tag exactly, but his assistant. How in the world did you guess?”
    “You have that ‘I just spoke to a celebrity’s assistant’ look on your face.”
    Helen shook her head back and forth in slow motion. “You’ve got some kind of sixth sense, Darby Farr. How in God’s good name …”
    Darby could not contain her laughter any longer. Pointing at Helen’s legal pad, she said, “I don’t need special powers to see that you’ve doodled the word ‘Tag’ with dollar signs all around it.”
    Helen glanced down at her handiwork and gave her booming laugh. “Well, so I have,” she said. “Talk about your confidential conversations! Come on, girl, I’ve got a lot to tell you.”
    “Where are we headed?”
    “A little place called the Dive. Best grouper sandwiches in Sarasota County.” Her lips tightened as she hauled up her purse. “It’s Jack Cameron’s other restaurant—the one that didn’t burn to a crisp.”
    _____
    The Dive was a cozy place, right on the water, with a large dock holding fifteen or so small tables under an awning strung with seagull netting. Artifacts from shipwrecks—the prow of a boat, several rusted compasses, a huge wheel—constituted the majority of the décor.
    “Let me guess—Jack’s a diver,” Darby surmised. “And he likes to dive wrecks.”
    “That’s right. He got the diving bug back when he was a teen, and it’s how he spends his free time, along with fishing.” Helen looked around the restaurant’s full tables and waiting line. The smell of grilled burgers wafted on a slight breeze. “This place is always busy, and Mitzi says that Jack makes a good living—not that he or his sister really have to work, but don’t get me started.” She lowered her voice. “His other place—Belle Haven—was a flop from the get-go. Can you believe it burned last night? Mitzi called and told me after you left for your run.”
    “Why did the restaurant fail? Seems like it was in a good location, downtown by the upscale shops.”
    “Yeah, that’s true, but it just never took off. The chefs kept quitting and the menu kept changing. It was too expensive for some people and not pricey enough for others. I think it was doomed from the beginning.”
    “Why’s that?” Darby put up two fingers to answer the hostess’ question about how many people were in the party. She and Helen then followed her to a table in the center of the room. Helen took a seat, examined a basket of bread, and resumed her explanation.
    “Jack’s heart wasn’t in it. He started Belle Haven to impress Kyle, that’s what I think. He thought he could win her back with a fancier place.” She looked around The Dive. “Now, this place is Jack Cameron. That other restaurant was him trying to be someone else. Someone like Foster McFarlin.”
    “The developer of Esperanza Shores?”
    “That’s right. Kyle and McFarlin were having an affair. I’m sure they thought they were discreet, but everyone in the state knew. Nobody thought it would last, but it broke Jack’s heart and spirit to see her hanging on his arm.”
    Darby looked up as a pert woman with a notepad materialized at their table. “Do you need more time?” Her pen was poised to write their order.
    “Nah.” Helen looked at Darby. “We want grouper sandwiches, right?”
    Darby nodded. “And an iced tea.”
    “I’ll have the same,” said Helen. “Except bring me a beer.”
    The waitress nodded, her blonde ponytail bobbing, and turned her attention to a family just taking their seats nearby. Overhead a frustrated seagull shrieked, hoping to swoop down on an unsuspecting diner’s French fries.
    “Foster McFarlin is married to the lieutenant governor of Florida, right?” Darby asked. “I think I read that in the morning paper.”
    Helen nodded.