Nico mentally skimmed through the reports. “No. I can flag it for him.”
“Or, hear me out.Wetalk to her.”
“Because we’ll do better than a trained investigator?”
“No, because I want to do something besides sit around making conversation with the family, and because having a detective show up at her door might cause a lot of questions, especially since Roger hasn’t told his family he hired one.”
That was true enough, and Nico admitted that he too liked the thought of action. “I’ve never met her, but she should be easy enough to find.”
“I’d like to do some exploring too. You know, get the lay of the land.” Valerie tapped her lip. “How do you feel about going to the Lakeview so I can see where it all began?”
There was a knock and Roger came into the office for his standingone o’clock meeting. Nico glanced around guiltily, since he’d been chatting with Valerie instead of straightening the office to make it presentable.
“What are you up to?” Roger asked. “Nico, thanks for taking care of that problem this morning. I don’t know what David was thinking, as usual.”
Valerie showed him the photo of the street fair and explained their Tracey Jefferies plan.
“Oh, good idea.” He frowned. “Just keep it subtle. Penny will be upset if she thinks we’re bringing her friends into this.”
“You got it.” Valerie zipped her lips.
“Is that the plan for today?”
“Maybe tomorrow. Today we’re going to the Lakeview to see where you met,” said Valerie.
“It was on the patio, if that helps.” Roger sounded wistful as he sat at his desk and put down yet another cup. “I have this call, but you have fun.”
Valerie looked at Nico. “Come on, I’ll buy you some fries. You didn’t have anything for lunch.” She was halfway out the room before she paused uncertainly. “Sorry, unless you have something else planned? I should have asked.”
“I’m all yours.” Nico hoped she wouldn’t call him out on his inadvertent phrasing, although Roger’s face transformed into sly amusement.
Valerie gave her stellar, solar smile. “I’ll grab my bag and meet you by the car.”
Then she was gone, leaving him to watch her bounce away. Valerie always moved as if she was anticipating something remarkable to be waiting at her destination. He turned to see if Roger needed anything but his boss simply waved him away. “Better get going,” he said. “If you want to eat, you’ll have toketchupto her.”
That was terrible and Roger’s satisfied expression said he knew it. Nico did his best to not rush out after Valerie.
* * *
It took ten minutes to get to town, and Nico couldn’t think of when the drive had been so enjoyable. Valerie was easy to talk to because she kept him constantly apprised of what was running through her mind, meaning he didn’t need to guess. It reduced 90 percent of the stress he experienced in casual, non-results-oriented conversation, and he wondered if his father felt the same comfort in his mother’s monologues.
“You said earlier you come up to the cottage often,” she said. “No, it needs a name. The Pines. Or Lone Pine House, since you rejected Badgerton Acres.”
“There are multiple pines, and that sounds very Texan.”
“Yeehaw. I’ll work on it. Do you come for fun or work?”
“Roger likes to work here on and off. My parents live on the way so I can stop in and say hello.”
“What’s your family like?”
“Mother, father, and two older sisters.”
Valerie laughed. “That must have been fun growing up.”
“Sometimes.” That was honest if ambiguous. He didn’t want to elaborate, but that was fine as Valerie had moved to her next question.
“Your parents are still together?”
