Page 80 of Murder on Charity Lane

his light with the world.

Sophie

Ugh.

Having expressed that so eloquently, I crossed Garden Street, heading for the front entrance of the Marigold Cottages.

Lily-Ann

We need to add Frank DeYoung’s

missing 50k in cash to our spreadsheet.

Ocean

Also that Karina and George have known

Each other longer than anyone else.

And Sunny’s money/law problems.

All gossip from this morning, but

seemingly accurate.

Lily-Ann

Sophie, can you determine if Jane

cared enough about losing the

Millerbrandt Award to lash out?

Hamilton

Who is Millerbrandt?

Lily-Ann

A career-making non-profit

award that Jane might have blamed

Frank for not winning.

Hamilton

Cops.

Here.

Now.

That was when I noticed the police cars. I’d walked past them without seeing them, too busy with my phone. I climbed the steps and spotted two officers in uniforms approaching my old cottage with Detective Enible. My stomach soured. I’d seen too many videos of cops bullying people. Not in Santa Barbara! I’ve only ever had friendly interactions with the SBPD. Still, those videos replayed in my mind.

“D-detective!” I called.

He turned. “Sophie Gilman.”