“No. Although there was this note inside thebox.”
I made an exasperated sound while she pulled a dirty scrap of paper out from her deskdrawer.
“You couldn’t have led withthis?”
She was enjoying herself. Really. Like the drama over the Halloween Harbor Festival wasn’t enough to keep herbusy?
I tipped the paper until I could make out thewriting.
The penguin isnext.
“Huh,” I said. “Not what Iexpected.”
“Do you understand the consequences?” Bertieasked.
“I’m guessing who ever shipped or delivered headless Abner’s noggin to you just threatened Mrs. Yate’spenguin.”
“I knew there was a reason you went into law enforcement, Jean. Such a brightmind.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you know anything else aboutthis?”
“Suchas?”
“Such as why someone would deliver this threat toyou?”
“I can’t imagine what you’reimplying.”
“Why does this,” I held up the scrap of paper pinched between my fingertips, “threat come to you? Don’t you think this should have been aimed at Mrs.Yates?”
“That,” she said with a flash of her sharp, white teeth, “is certainly a mystery. I’m sure we’ll never know theanswer.”
“Are you telling me not to look intoit?”
“Me?” Bertie took another sip of her tea. “I’d be disappointed if youdidn’t.”
