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“No. But the reason I bring him up is because Holly and Jeremy were acting a little hinky about him.”
“Hinky how? In what context?”
“Hear me out. When they stopped by the tea shop today, Claxton’s name immediately came up in conversation.”
“Okay.”
“And as we talked about suspects, Holly and Jeremy exchanged these kind of furtive glances and Holly said she hoped Booker hadn’t done anything crazy.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“What else did they say?”
“Well, they might have mentioned that Claxton was instrumental in rescinding a major arts grant that Booker had been awarded.” She wasn’t about to tell Riley that she’d stood in a dark alley and got that information directly from Booker himself.
“So I need to look into this guy.”
“I think so, yes.”
“Thadeus what?”
“Thadeus T. Booker,” Theodosia said. She paused, then said in what she hoped was a casual tone, “I was also wondering if you’re looking at Mignon Merriweather, Claxton’s soon-to-be ex-wife?”
“Why are you asking about her?”
There was something in Riley’s tone that told Theodosia she’d hit a nerve.
“So you are looking at her.”
Then he was back to his smooth-casual detective voice. “Sweetheart, we’re looking at all sorts of people. Which means you don’t have to.”
“But I...”
“I know. You were there. We’ve established that. You chased after the big bad man...”
“So you know about that?” Theodosia said.
“Of course, and I’m not one bit happy about it. That said, you’ve done your civic duty and can now take a rest. Let me worry about chasing down Claxton’s killer. Okay?”
“I was just asking a few questions.”
“And that’s great. Helpful even. Just don’t get too involved, okay?”
“Sure,” Theodosia said.
“Why do I not believe you?” Riley asked. Then he sighed and said, “Let’s do something fun this week. Maybe go out to dinner. Someplace cool like Saracen or Poogan’s Porch. How would that be?”
“Love to,” Theodosia said.
“Wednesday night, mark it on your calendar.”
“Got it.”
“Okay then, sleep tight and sweet dreams.”
“Good night.” Theodosia hung up and snuggled in bed. Turned out the lamp and burrowed under the covers. But it was a long time before she fell asleep. And when she did, she dreamed about a man chasing after her with an enormous can of paint that morphed into a bee fogger.
