I’ll see what I can find out. Do you want me to walk you home?” If I really was the prime suspect, as Grandma thought, it wouldn’t hurt to nose around a little.
“Would you? I don’t want to be the killer’s next victim.”
I rolled my eyes. Things had gotten terribly out of hand.
“We’re Cagney and Lacey, Ives and…whoever that other woman is. Sherlock and Doctor Watson.” Grandma was way too eager to stick her nose into other people’s business. “First thing tomorrow, we compare notes.”
“We don’t have any notes.” I turned to follow Birdie down the path to her cottage. After making sure no boogieman hid under her bed, I rushed to get Grandma home so I could get to my own place and soak in a bubble bath.
“Good night, love.” Grandma kissed me on the cheek. “See you at breakfast. We’re going to have so much fun together. Maybe I’ll ask your mother to move in with me. Do you think they’ll allow it? Nah. I’m a free bird. I changed my mind. She can spend the night occasionally.” She stepped inside and closed the door.
She exhausted me. Shoulders slumped, I trudged to my cottage. On the doorstep was a basket full of fruit and a note that said Welcome. I lifted it, unlocked my door, and set it on the dinette table. While the gift was thoughtful, all I wanted was a hot bath.
I shed my clothes and filled the tub with hot water and gardenia scented bubbles. Lowering myself into the water, I reached for the book I’d placed on the counter. A nice soak, a lovely romance novel, and I’d be ready for bed.
While I soaked, I thought over the last few weeks. I wasn’t as upset over Donald as I should be. I’d been doing what was expected after a long engagement, and greedy for the gifts he’d showered on me, to be honest. As an influential member of the community, he had to keep up appearances after all, and a trophy girlfriend made him look good. It was for the best that we weren’t getting married, and I vowed not to dwell on it any longer.
My thoughts drifted to today. In the course of a few hours, I’d gotten a bipolar manager, a dead body, a hunky coworker, and Grandma. Life would not be boring in the least.
When the bath water cooled, I realized I hadn’t read a single page in my book and climbed out of the tub. I dried off and donned a pair of cotton pajama pants and a tank top, then headed for the gift basket.
Oranges, apples, bananas and a pineapple. Yum. I reached for an apple, my hand pausing mid-air. I checked the note card. No name. If Maybelle had been murdered, how did I know this so-called gift wasn’t from her killer? I couldn’t take any chances. I hefted the basket and headed for the dumpster at the end of the walkway.
“You’re out late.” Alice glared at me, arms crossed.
“Just taking out the garbage.”
“You’re throwing away my gift?” Her eyes widened.
Uh-oh. “No, what? Where is my head? I didn’t mean to bring this. You sent it? Thank you.” I realized I was rambling and clamped my lips shut.
“I’m hoping we can be friends, Shelby, but you’re an odd duck for sure.” She shook her head and headed for the common building.
Since I seriously doubted Alice would kill one of her residents or employees, at least I hoped not, I bit into an apple and hoped for the best. Maybe I should have washed it first. Would hot water take care of poison on fruit?
4
S ince I woke up the next morning, the apple must not have been laced with poison. I still had my teeth, the sun was shining, and I was officially on the job.
I dressed in a cute little dress that fluttered around my knees when I walked, a pair of matching rain boots, in case I trudged through the dirt. I had the cute little rubber boots in almost every color and style. A splurge I’d made when taking the new job. I locked my cottage in preparation of heading to the dining room for breakfast and waved at Grandma as she exited her cottage a few doors down.
“How did you sleep,
“Would you? I don’t want to be the killer’s next victim.”
I rolled my eyes. Things had gotten terribly out of hand.
“We’re Cagney and Lacey, Ives and…whoever that other woman is. Sherlock and Doctor Watson.” Grandma was way too eager to stick her nose into other people’s business. “First thing tomorrow, we compare notes.”
“We don’t have any notes.” I turned to follow Birdie down the path to her cottage. After making sure no boogieman hid under her bed, I rushed to get Grandma home so I could get to my own place and soak in a bubble bath.
“Good night, love.” Grandma kissed me on the cheek. “See you at breakfast. We’re going to have so much fun together. Maybe I’ll ask your mother to move in with me. Do you think they’ll allow it? Nah. I’m a free bird. I changed my mind. She can spend the night occasionally.” She stepped inside and closed the door.
She exhausted me. Shoulders slumped, I trudged to my cottage. On the doorstep was a basket full of fruit and a note that said Welcome. I lifted it, unlocked my door, and set it on the dinette table. While the gift was thoughtful, all I wanted was a hot bath.
I shed my clothes and filled the tub with hot water and gardenia scented bubbles. Lowering myself into the water, I reached for the book I’d placed on the counter. A nice soak, a lovely romance novel, and I’d be ready for bed.
While I soaked, I thought over the last few weeks. I wasn’t as upset over Donald as I should be. I’d been doing what was expected after a long engagement, and greedy for the gifts he’d showered on me, to be honest. As an influential member of the community, he had to keep up appearances after all, and a trophy girlfriend made him look good. It was for the best that we weren’t getting married, and I vowed not to dwell on it any longer.
My thoughts drifted to today. In the course of a few hours, I’d gotten a bipolar manager, a dead body, a hunky coworker, and Grandma. Life would not be boring in the least.
When the bath water cooled, I realized I hadn’t read a single page in my book and climbed out of the tub. I dried off and donned a pair of cotton pajama pants and a tank top, then headed for the gift basket.
Oranges, apples, bananas and a pineapple. Yum. I reached for an apple, my hand pausing mid-air. I checked the note card. No name. If Maybelle had been murdered, how did I know this so-called gift wasn’t from her killer? I couldn’t take any chances. I hefted the basket and headed for the dumpster at the end of the walkway.
“You’re out late.” Alice glared at me, arms crossed.
“Just taking out the garbage.”
“You’re throwing away my gift?” Her eyes widened.
Uh-oh. “No, what? Where is my head? I didn’t mean to bring this. You sent it? Thank you.” I realized I was rambling and clamped my lips shut.
“I’m hoping we can be friends, Shelby, but you’re an odd duck for sure.” She shook her head and headed for the common building.
Since I seriously doubted Alice would kill one of her residents or employees, at least I hoped not, I bit into an apple and hoped for the best. Maybe I should have washed it first. Would hot water take care of poison on fruit?
4
S ince I woke up the next morning, the apple must not have been laced with poison. I still had my teeth, the sun was shining, and I was officially on the job.
I dressed in a cute little dress that fluttered around my knees when I walked, a pair of matching rain boots, in case I trudged through the dirt. I had the cute little rubber boots in almost every color and style. A splurge I’d made when taking the new job. I locked my cottage in preparation of heading to the dining room for breakfast and waved at Grandma as she exited her cottage a few doors down.
“How did you sleep,
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