Page 26 of Cuffed By the Wolf

“Sorry, I meant to say that’s cool that you’ve camped in Lupton over the years.”

“Yeah, no, it’s cool,” she chuckles.

“Where are you from? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“South Carolina.”

“Where are you from?” I ask.

“New Hampshire. The summers in Lupton are beautiful and much warmer than where I’m from.”

She stretches her hand out for mine as the line moves. “My name’s Jenny.”

I shake her hand. “Sasha.”

“Are you on vacation?” She asks.

“I wish. I love small towns. I’m trying to find a person who stole something from me.”

Her eyes widen. “So sorry to hear that. I wish there were more good people in the world.”

“Me too,” I sigh.

“I’m going over to the small gallery in town. See if they know anything.”

“You’re interrogating people. Sounds fun.”

I laugh. “Not sure it’s really fun. I got into it with a shop owner when I first arrived. Landed my ass in jail.”

“Damn. Hmm, there has to be a way to get information in a harmless manner.”

“I’m trying to introduce myself and be polite as I can.”

“How about I tag along. You know to the gallery. I can meet you over there. And since I know my way around town, maybe I can help you dig.”

I smile. “That would be awesome. I work during the day now. So it’s taking me longer to get answers.”

“Let’s exchange phone numbers, and we can discuss our findings.”

The ice cream turned out to be delicious. And having Jenny with me when I went to the gallery worked out well. She and the gallery owner discussed the perfect place to watch the sunset. Because she had knowledge of the town, the gallery owner’s guard was lowered.

The gallery owner wasn’t aware of a wire but said if she heard anything she’d reach out to me.

Hopefully, I’ll get answers soon.

Settling in for the night, I call Genevieve from the comfy bed.

She answers on FaceTime from her studio. The phone is on a tripod, so her hands are free to work.

“Sasha, how’s it going?”

“Well, Evie, I’m no closer to finding who took the wire transfer yet. However, with the help of Jenny, a woman I met in town today. She visits Lupton every summer and has a better rapport with the townspeople. I think I’ll find the thief by the end of the month.”

Genevieve smiles. “That’s wonderful. If she’s been there every summer, I’m sure she’s even built relationships with some of the townspeople.”

“Yeah.”

“How’s work coming along with Sheriff Grumpy?”