Death and a Dog. Fiona Grace

Buck buy for her.

      But no, the woman had seemed intent on buying the sextant specifically. It obviously held some kind of personal significance for her. They would be there, Lacey was certain of it, even if just to prove a point.

      Lacey listened to the sound of Chester’s breathing and the waves crashing against the cliffs, letting the gentle rhythms lull her into relaxation. She’d just started dropping off when her cell phone suddenly started vibrating loudly on the wooden dresser beside her head. Its eerie green light filled the room with flashes. She was usually careful to put it on night mode but it had obviously slipped her mind tonight with everything else she was thinking about.

      With a fatigued groan, Lacey flailed out with her arm and grasped the cell. She brought it close to her face, squinting to see who had decided to disturb her at this ungodly hour. The name Mom flashed insistently on the screen at her.

      Of course, Lacey thought, sighing. Her mother must have forgotten the rule about not calling her after 6 p.m. New York time.

      With a sigh, Lacey answered the call. “Mom? Is everything okay?”

      From the other end of the line, there was a moment’s silence. “Why do you always answer my calls like that? Why does there have to be something wrong for me to call my daughter?”

      Lacey rolled her eyes and sank back against the pillow. “Because it’s two in the morning in the U.K. right now, and you only ever call me when you’re in a panic about something. So? What is it?”

      The following silence was enough of a confirmation to Lacey that she’d hit the nail on the head.

      “Mom?” she prompted.

      “I was just at David’s—” her mom began.

      “What?” Lacey exclaimed. “Why?”

      “To meet Eda.”