Ever hear the phrase, you could’ve knocked me over with a feather?
I do a double take as I zip up my coat and approach the cash register. “But Mrs. Gallo didn’t kill her husband. I made a few calls and verified he’s staying at some villa in the Bahamas.”
“Samantha, as a personal favor, I’m asking you. Stay with it for a while longer.” Left unsaid is how my detective business would fair much worse without her patronage.
Giving in, I shoot her a big, fake, smile. “Sure thing. I’ll call her back and tell her I’ll do some more digging.”
Rose raises her hand from where she eats her lunch at the small table in the waiting area. “Mom. What about Martha’s daughter? She’s going to blow a gasket.”
“Mrs. Rossini can spend her money how she sees fit. It’s none of her daughter’s business.” Aunt Marion wipes her hands in the air, closing the subject.
“But Momma. She’s crazy. What if she kills Sam?” Crossing herself, Mia rolls her eyes to heaven, and mouths a prayer.
Rose, the less dramatic of the two, wipes her mouth and swallows the last of her sandwich. “Mia is right. You need to be careful. The only thing Martha’s daughter wants is her mother’s inheritance.
“Good to know. Thanks. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” Glad I got away without a long lecture about being late, I glance up at the blue sky and unzip my coat. It’s almost sixty, unusually warm for January.
Enjoying the thaw, I take my time walking home and ping Suds.
Me: Slice from Petey’s?
Suds: Sushi?
I give him a thumbs up, stop at the Asian market, and stroll home, smiling at all the people who’ve come out of hibernation.
As I near the construction site, I recall the few choice words I memorized but the obnoxious men are all gone, no doubt taking a long lunch break.
Downstairs, a small light is on in the tailor’s shop as I stare in the dirty window. A little dust has been disturbed and man-sized sneaker prints meander about the room.
Huh, I wonder who was here. No one ever visits the place. A niggling feeling hits the back of my neck and shoots down my spine, the way it does when something is not right.
Halfway up the stairs, the jackhammer starts up and by the time I get to the top, my nerves are shot.
Two, next-day delivery packages sit on the kitchen table, one already open. Finding the scissors, I cut the cardboard and retrieve our new noise-cancelling headphones.
Catrina jumps on the table and places four paws in the small box, the only part of her that fits.
I place the larger outer box on the floor. “Here you go.”
“Merph.” She hops out of the container and starts biting like a gerbil, shredding cardboard into tiny pieces that fly all over the place.
Shaking my head at her weirdness, I cover my ears with my new amazing electronics and text Suds in the blessed silence.
Me: I’m home
Suds: Find the pkg?
Me: OMFG. TY!
Suds: B right out.
Suds, in a tank top covered in sawdust, smiles. My clit jumps to attention and my tits go hard. Holy fuck. How did I ever snag the sexiest man alive? He brushes off his jeans, grabs my hand, and leads me into the bathroom.
The subfloor is installed along with a new modern toilet and vanity. When his mouth moves, I strain to hear but shake my head and point to his phone.
Suds: Sink be done end of day
Me: <3 <3 <3 Eat outside?
