Bunny snorted. “A date? Hardly. I’ve been working on finding out more about Mr. Smith with a detective friend, Sam.”
“Oh? Wow, I guess you really suspect him of something. If a detective is involved, I’m worried he might be dangerous.”
“Oh no, dear, it’s not like that.” Bunny didn’t want Liz to worry. “Sam is a retired detective. We’re not sure, just looking into him. Which reminds me—I have a question.”
“Oh?” Liz raised a brow and sipped her tea.
“Are you quite sure that Mr. Smith is from Greenville, New Hampshire?”
Liz pressed her lips together and thought for a few seconds. “I think so. I mean, that’s what he put on the register.”
“Did you ask him or hear him mention the town?”
“No. You don’t think he’d be lying, do you?”
Bunny shrugged. “I don’t know why he would.”
“Huh, well, he sure is an odd duck. Speaking of Tides, I hope Andie and Jane are having a good time.”
“What do you mean? Is something going on at Tides?”
“Oh no. Well, yes, but what I meant was that Andie and Jane are out of town at a convention and doing some sister bonding.”
“Oh, that’s nice. So do you have to go over and stay at Tides?”
“Nope. Jane said there’s a key for Mr. Smith, and he wasn’t planning on going out anyway.”
“Wait. You mean Mr. Smith is at Tides all alone tonight?”
“Oh no, he isn’t all alone. He asked Jane and Andie if he could have someone over to visit.”
Bunny’s heart lurched. She reached for her phone to message Sam. She didn’t say anything to Liz because she didn’t want to worry her, but she had a terrible feeling that they needed to get over there right away before something bad happened!
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
“Ithink this will make a perfect den, don’t you?” Sam asked Dooley. They were standing in one of the extra bedrooms. Jean had used it for a sewing room, but Sam didn’t sew, and it was a waste to leave it set up.
He’d been happy to give the sewing machine to one of his neighbors and even happier to actually connect with the neighbor. Turns out the people who had moved in across the street were a nice younger couple with not a lot of money. She loved sewing outfits for their twin girls and really appreciated the sewing machine.
Thoughts about that interaction and the texts from Bunny made Sam smile. He’d figured Bunny would be able to finish the crosswords easily. She’d probably started from the beginning. Those were fairly straightforward, but what she didn’t know was that they got more difficult toward the back. He couldn’t wait to see how she did with the one on page ninety-eight.
He stood back to look at the room. He’d replaced the sewing table beside the window with a cozy armchair that was perfect for reading. A small desk where he could use his computer sat in the corner. It was perfect.
“Now time to have a rest.” Dooley glanced expectantly toward the kitchen.
“I guess you want a treat before resting?”
“Woof!” Dooley raced to the kitchen.
Sam got a biscuit out of the tin and made a coffee. As he was stirring in creamer, he spotted the book club book on the kitchen table. He’d started it earlier in the day, and it was quite intriguing. Now would be a perfect time to relax in the den and read a few more chapters.
Dooley followed him into the den and got settled in the plush dog bed Sam had put in the corner.
“This fellow really is quite clever.” Of course there were a few things in the book that weren’t realistic, but Sam expected that. Making all the police red tape and rules true to life would make for a pretty boring novel. But he had to admit the author knew his stuff.
Sam looked at the author bio on the back of the book. The author picture was interesting. It was mostly in shadow, which made it difficult to make out the guy’s face. It definitely set the mood, though, with the author dressed in a hat and trench coat like an old-time detective.
“I wonder what other books this guy has written.” Sam put the book on the side table and sat at the computer to google the author’s name.
