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But giving up my car today is not going to be fun, though.
And I really, really need Hana’s help.
I type up my next text quickly, before he has a chance to say anything about our naughty behavior.“Hey, I was collecting Outlaw, and I found your badge on your bedroom floor. You need it?”
“Yeah, I do actually. Was wondering where I dropped it…”
“I’ll bring it to the clinic.”
“Thanks, Maddie.”
An unexpected smile tugs at my lips as I tuck my phone into my back pocket. Then I lead Outlaw through the door, lock it up behind us, and duck down to replace the house key under the frog.
I have to hold my towel in place as I stand back up.
Outlaw’s bark catches me by surprise. But a second later, I see why the sound’s so sharp, so urgent.
We have a visitor.
Or, perhaps more accurately,Nickhas a visitor. This is his house, after all.
The woman is in her sixties, with a pinched face and platinum-blonde hair that can’t be natural. Her matching jogging top and bottoms squeeze her body parts into place like Spanx.
She’s not looking at me. She’s looking at the towel, wrapped around my head. “You must be a houseguest of Nicholas’s,” she says.
“Oh—me? No, I’m his neighbor. Staying over there.” I gesture to Pansy’s place. “You are…?”
“Fredricka. I didn’t realize Pansy was away. This is what happens when I go to the Keys. Vernon tells me I won’t miss anything, but I do.” She pokes her hand out. “We have a second house in Florida, but if it was up to me, we wouldn’t use it this time of year. Too hot. Too humid.”
I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Maddison. When did you get back to town?”
“Yesterday. It always annoys me, getting back to the neighborhood and feeling in the dark about what’s going on.” Her eyes narrow, and she glances down at the frog sculpture. “Now, if you’re not a houseguest—does Nicholas know you’re trespassing into his home?”
My cheeks flush at her rude question. “Er, yes, actually, we’re good friends.”
“Is that right? Pardon me. I’ve never seen you before in my life, Maddison, and yet you’re now in and out of his house like you own the place. I don’t want to alarm you, but I’ll be honest: I have half a mind to call the police.”
“No, don’t do that. Really. I know him from way back. We went to VUSC together. I’m a Bradshaw. My family owns the Stillwell Diner. Barb and Bertie are my parents.”
“Roxie has a sister? I thought she was an only child.”
“She’s not. I’m her sister. Back in town.”
“In atowel. Exiting Nicholas’s home.” She points to the door. “I’ll be honest with you again, Ms. Bradshaw. I find it odd that you showered in there. Unless… are you seeing him?”
Busybody much?
I edge toward the steps, eager to take my leave. “Nope… Showered at Pansy’s, then came here to collect Pansy’s dog.”As if it’s any of your business. “See you later, Fredricka, nice meeting you.”Not. “We have errands to run.”
She remains on Nick’s porch steps, arms crossed. I feel like a criminal as I scurry away.
I run back up into Pansy’s place, quickly blow dry my hair and gather my purse, then load Outlaw into my Jetta.
I press the button to slide the moonroof back, appreciating the gentle whirring sound.
It’s going to be rough, not having wheels.
As I pass a butter-cream-yellow Victorian across the street, I spot Fredricka’s blond hair and royal blue workout clothes.
