“You know how much I make?”
She shrugged. “The city budgets may cross my e-mail from time to time.” Now she leaned forward and squinted at me. “Have you been on a treasure hunt?”
“No. Why do you ask?”
“Something in your aura.” She considered me closely. “You need to be careful when you go out alone to seek the treasure. There’s something guarding it and it’s not friendly.”
“Seriously, I’m not going on any treasure hunts.” I smiled at my neighbor. “Hey, your lawn looks terrific. What kind of seed do you use? Is it drought-resistant?”
Esmeralda smiled as the phone rang. “The grass is always greener when it’s been watered.” She picked up the phone, spun her chair so her back was to me, and answered, “South Cove Police Department, how may I help you?”
CHAPTER 14
When I returned home, a letter was taped on my door. The envelope’s printed return address was for South Cove City Hall. Maybe Amy had come by after the meeting and left me a note. I ripped it off the door, and waited to open it until I’d unlocked the door and let Emma out. I dumped my purse on the table and sank into a chair, opening the letter. Instead of a handwritten note from my friend, though, telling me she’d forgiven me for slighting her about Esmeralda, there was a printed letter from the South Cove Water Commission.
I read down to the important part. I was being fined a hundred dollars for watering my lawn. A lawn I hadn’t watered in months. Sue me, I wasn’t the best landscaper. Greg mowed my lawn more often than I did. I didn’t like getting my hands dirty. The way it caked on my hands creeped me out, so I didn’t do anything without donning a pair of gardening gloves.
Scanning the letter, I knew they’d made a big mistake. Esmeralda was watering, she’d told me so, and I got fined? Amy must really be mad. But when I saw the signature, I knew the problem.
Josh Thomas had signed the letter. This was retaliation for Aunt Jackie and Harrold. I put the letter on the counter. I’d take it to work tomorrow and have Aunt Jackie take care of it. She caused the issues; she could handle the fallout.
I went upstairs and changed into my running clothes. I needed a taste of the sea air and to run off this bad energy.
When Emma and I returned, there was a message on my answering machine. I punched the button and Greg’s voice filled the small kitchen. Emma barked and looked around to see where her friend was hiding.
“Hey, you’re in luck. I’ll be there just after five with two large pies, so chill the beer.” I looked at my dog sitting at attention, waiting for Greg to appear out of the small machine.
“He’ll be here soon.” I opened the fridge and pulled out lettuce, tomatoes, and what was left of my deli turkey meat to make a salad. Even with the second run, if I didn’t make up for the calories I’d be consuming tonight, I’d feel bloated in the morning. Emma sniffed the air and, realizing I wasn’t cooking anything on her top-ten list of begging menus, crossed the kitchen to her bed, where she circled three times before lying down with her head on her newest stuffed raccoon.
I finished the salad, dressed it with a raspberry vinaigrette I loved, and poured a glass of sun tea I’d made last weekend. Cleaning up the counter, I moved my lunch to the table and took out my notebook and a pen.
I stared at the list of possible suspects in Kacey’s murder, which right now included one person. Dustin Austin. I knew Kacey had died of a severe reaction to a wheat allergy, but the girl was smart. She knew how to keep herself safe, and I’d seen an epi pen in her purse, so why hadn’t she used it?