Page 71 of A Seer and Present Danger

“And now she’s the only one standing and the business is hers. Not that it’s worth much,” I added.

“It could be. It’s a solid building. It’s near the main street. If Bertie keeps pulling off all these festivals and events, someone’s going to see it as an excellent business opportunity. All it needs is a new coat of paint, maybe some new flooring and it’s good to go.”

“Huh.” I guess just because it was a little rundown didn’t mean it didn’t have a lot of potential.

But enough potential for Gail to kill for? No, I just couldn’t see that.

Gabriel gulped down more coffee, then studied the room. “You think we’ll get through all the donations today?”

“Not a chance,” I laughed.

With that, we got to work.

My thoughts turned to the mystery of Hugo’s and Kenny’s death over and over again. Was it odd that Jean’s and Yancy’s future sight had faltered right before Hugo was killed?

How had Hugo known there was a secret safe in Pandora’s storage unit?

Did it all connect into some kind of larger picture? Ordinary was full of odd happenings, odd people, odd powers.

But didn’t something feel off about the whole thing?

Yes. Something did feel off about the whole thing.

When the next shift of people came in to sort, I said my good-byes, assured Yancy (who looked a lot less worried) I’d stay in touch, and headed to my car.

Color me surprised to see Aggie at the corner of the parking lot.

I waved, and for a second, thought she was going to ignore me. Then she was all smiles as she walked my way.

“Piper! I didn’t know you were working on this…whatever Boast of the Coast is. A festival?”

“Charity drive contest for kids and families who need a little boost to get through the summer.”

“Donations for kids. Like toys?”

“Yes! Lots of toys. But clothes, of course, and backpacks, books, tablets, free movies. Buzz even gave a free meal and dessert coupon for each box.”

It made me proud that Buzz was being so generous, but Aggie just shook her head. “He’s going to run that place into the ground, and we’ll be out of our jobs.”

“I don’t think so. He’s been at this for a long time. He’s got a pretty level business head.”

“I hope so. I’m just starting to get the lay of the land. Say, how about lunch? Do you have time?”

She kept glancing over her shoulder like she was expecting someone to show up. I searched the area, but everything looked normal to me.

She was acting a little weird, but this was the first time we’d interacted outside of the diner. I really didn’t think she had many friends in the area. I wanted to be friendly, even though she was on my list of murder suspects.

Maybe she’d say something to prove she was innocent.

Futures fizzled and flashed, but they dissolved into static.

Huh. That was weird too.

“It’s fine,” she said. “I can see from the look on your face that you don’t want to hang out with me. I didn’t mean to corner you.”

“What? No. I mean yes. Let’s get lunch. I’m starving. How about Jump Off Jack’s?”

“The brew pub?”