“I can’t believe you’ve already approved the book order.” Aunt Jackie stood over me as I sat on the couch. I’d moved from accounting to book buying and had probably spent my budget for the entire quarter already. “What’s gotten into you?”
“I’m worried about Sadie.” I blurted the statement out before I could think about my aunt’s reaction.
Instead of the lecture about staying out of Greg’s investigations that I’d expected, my aunt sat on the couch next to me. “She’ll be fine. It’s unfortunate that Kacey had to die so unexpectedly, but you and I both know Greg won’t be able to charge Sadie with the murder because she didn’t do it.” She patted my hand. “You really need to have more faith in the justice system.”
“People are falsely accused and convicted all the time.” I decided not to share the fact that Sadie’s recipes had mysteriously appeared on her doorstep with my aunt. No need to add fuel to the gossip fodder already running through town. “I do trust Greg. I just feel bad that Sadie has to go through this.”
“I understand.” My aunt sat in silence next to me. Finally, she turned toward me. “I need you to cover my shift on Friday. I asked Sasha and Toby but they both already have plans.”
“And you know I don’t have plans since Greg will be unavailable due to the investigation.” I shrugged. “Sure, I haven’t worked an evening shift for a while. I’m probably getting rusty.”
“Perfect.” She stood and headed toward the back of the shop.
“Hey,” I called after her. “What’s going on? Is Josh taking you to the city for dinner?”
Aunt Jackie froze midstride and turned back, studying my face. Then she checked out the empty store to make sure no one was in earshot. She came closer, then whispered, “You can’t tell anyone.”
“I can’t tell anyone what?” Now I was intrigued. “Don’t tell me you and Mary are breaking and entering again? What is it this time? A shady art dealer?”
She pressed her lips together. “No.” She framed the word with her mouth. “I’m not doing anything illegal.”
“Okay, now you have to tell me. What’s up?” I closed the laptop and focused on my aunt.
She took a big dramatic sigh. “If you must know, Harrold and I are going to the city for dinner and drinks to talk about the water conservation committee.”
“Without Josh or Amy?” I got it now. My aunt was going on a date.
She turned beet red. “Fine, it’s a date. But don’t go getting all ‘what about Josh’ with me. I never said our relationship was exclusive.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about questioning you on that subject.” Okay, so maybe I had been, but I liked Harrold. He and Aunt Jackie would make a nice pair. I did feel sorry for Josh though. In a weird way.
“Just cover my shift and keep your mouth shut on my business.” My aunt looked at me, waiting for a response. When I didn’t say anything, she blurted, “What?”
“You didn’t say please.” I heard the bell over the door ring and saw Toby walk in for his shift.
“Please,” Aunt Jackie whispered.
I stood and put the laptop under my arm. “Your wish is my command.”
“Uh-oh.” Toby smiled as he walked toward us. “Your aunt must have conned you into covering her shift.”
“Yep.” I smiled back at him. “And since I’m working tomorrow, I need to get home and take a run into Bakerstown to the Pet Palace. Emma’s almost out of dog food.”
My aunt mouthed the words “thank you” before disappearing behind the office door toward her apartment upstairs.
Toby watched her go. “I felt bad saying no, but Elisa set up this dinner thing and she’s been pretty adamant that I need to be there. I even had to have Tim cover my police shift. I hate leaving Greg so shorthanded during an active investigation.”
“Sometimes people have to come first. I’m sure Elisa must have something very important planned.” I left the front of the shop and put the laptop on the office desk. Grabbing my purse, I decided to stop by City Hall and see if Amy wanted to get an early lunch. Okay, really I wanted to see what had happened between my aunt and Harrold at the water conservation meeting. So sue me.
Toby was making fresh coffee when I returned to the front of the shop. He drummed his fingers on the counter, waiting for the pot to brew. I studied him as he tossed an empty cup from hand to hand, his attention elsewhere. “What’s up with you? Don’t tell me you’re still worried about taking tomorrow night off? Greg will understand.”
He shook his head. “That’s not what I’m worried about.” His attention moved to the group of women who were getting out of a large van and walking toward the door. “I wonder what Elisa wants to talk about that’s so important.”