Page 72 of The Alibi Club

“Hmmm. I feel like you’re leaving something out.”

Jamie thought back to her first impression and picking up smooth. But couldn’t put her finger on what that was. “No. I think I have to get to know you better.”

“I think you judge people prematurely,” Cliff said.

“I assess them.”

“And in some cases you send them to prison?” Cliff said, his tone devoid of warmth.

“That’s not fair. I helped put away some very dangerous, very guilty people.”

“Ever accidentally send an innocent person away?”

Jamie froze.

Cliff cleared his throat and looked out at the street. He seemed suddenly hooded, withdrawn. “I think people are much more complicated than three descriptors. Putting people in boxes is convenient, but it’s also lazy. I’m willing to bet you’ve had your small share of mistakes. Don’t we all deserve a little more time and consideration than your little party trick allows? Excuse me.” He got up from the table and walked over to the bar.

Jamie sat silent, stunned by his comment, and watched him walk away.

Shannon had stomped back from the bathroom clearly angry. Kyle was in tow trying to explain. She wheeled around and stopped him.

“Just because you cannot own up to who you really are does not give you the right to make anyone else feel ashamed, Kyle. Now for the love of the gods of Azeroth, leave me alone.”

Shannon turned and went to a corner of the dining room and began to consult the contents of her purse. Kyle, looking hopeless and at a loss for words, wandered over to the bar where Justin was making another fort out of straws.

Six singles had come on a date that evening and as of ten thirty PM, none of them were on speaking terms, unless you counted Rick and Holly, who were yelling insults to each other.

“Penniless shrew!”

“Gigolo con man!”

This was the worst date ever.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

When Masks Fall

CLIFF

As the evening progressed and the police parsed out what was going on with the chaos outside, inside, disaster had befallen their group blind date. The room, once dazzling with white linen tablecloths, sparkling wine glasses, and a warm buzz of romantic potential was now exhibiting prison yard vibes. Trap people together long enough, and eventually things get ugly. Cliff should know.

Rick and Holly had momentarily ceased hurling insults at each other and were in opposite corners of the room. Kyle and Shannon were separately sulking and not speaking. Even Cliff, caught off guard by Jamie’s uncanny intuition and prior career as a profiler, had shut down on her out of fear she’d sniff him out.

Boredom had now taken over and it was clear that if they were trapped together without the use of their phones, talking to each other was the only decent way to pass the time.

When Chef Pascal delivered a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches to the center table, all of them slowly migrated in the direction of the comfort food. They all munched or nibbled in silence. Until Cliff asked, “What brought us here?”

Shannon asked, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, why are you here? It’s one thing to deal with the dating apps, leave it up to fate, rely on friends to set you up. But this Dinner for Six? It takes a little bit more effort.”

Shannon sat back for a second and then offered, “My mom got sick. I took care of her for the last eighteen months until she died. I was never lonely until that happened. I have always had some guy hanging around, always dating here and there, but I never needed a relationship because I had her, like a home base. Plus, all the guys I dated wanted me to be slightly different from what I was. No one really got me the way she did. But when she died, everything got too quiet. I looked around and realized I’d forgotten to build a life for myself. Then I met Lorna, and she made me feel like she could help me, I guess.” Shannon nibbled at the crust on her grilled cheese sandwich and offered a sad shrug.

The group seemed to welcome Shannon’s unabashed honesty. Cliff looked over at Kyle, who remained silent and unmoving. Holly took up the call.

“I’m here because a hypnotist ruined my life.”

“Haven’t heard that one before,” Rick piped up, curiosity in his tone.