Elizabeth C. Main - Jane Serrano 02 - No Rest for the Wicked by Elizabeth C. Main Page B

existence of such a cruel personality. “ I can’t believe anyone went for something so ridiculous. ”
    “ Oh, believe it. He kept score. He was handsome as they come, and smooth. Took me a while to get past all that. ” At my obvious skepticism, Alix gave a short laugh. “ You’ve led a sheltered life. Anyway, I told you this was a long shot. ”
    “ Mom, we have to do something, even if it sounds stupid. Besides, Minnie’s already on her way over here to help. ” Bianca was back on board, her excitement building. “ It’ll be like old times. The Murder of the Month Book Club rides again. ”
    No point in dashing cold water on Bianca’s enthusiasm, but I’d do everything in my power to keep the whole gang from saddling up again. They had a tendency to ride off in all directions when they did. Still, Bianca’s words reminded me that Alix was in no immediate danger at the moment. Perhaps she would appreciate a show of support from her friends right now, even if that was all it amounted to.
    Besides, people didn’t get murdered every day in our little town, so how long could it possibly take before the sheriff, even one as inept as Arnie Kraft, stumbled over a better suspect than Alix? Far better to keep Minnie occupied chasing a long shot with me than causing even more trouble by striking out on her own.
    * * * * *
    The list of real estate agents who fit Hunter’s bizarre criteria was mercifully short. I thanked my lucky stars that Bianca was needed here to help Alix with the details of an imminent wedding. T he frantic woman I passed on my way out of the Wedding Belle nearly ran me down. I’m not sure she even saw me.
    “ T he color of the programs doesn’t match the bridesmaids’ hair ribbons, ” she wailed .
    Armed with the list and promising a report as soon as I knew anything, I left Alix and Bianca to their task . Better them than me. It shouldn’t take me long to check out the whereabouts of the several possible real estate agents on the day of the murder , and then I could honestly report that I’d done what I’d promised.
    Minnie didn’t even bother coming inside when she arrived. She just stood on the front steps and announced, “ Sorry that Velda couldn’t come, too. She needed to get home to her aunt. ” She turned and made straight for the passenger seat of my car without even waiting to be sure that I was ready to leave.
    S he leaned forward like a racer in the starting blocks. “ Keith Strand first, of course. I’ve never liked the way his hair waves so perfectly in front. He must do it with a hair dryer, and you know what they say about men who blow -dry their hair. ”
    “ How did you know I was on my way to see Keith ? ” I didn’t ask what they said about men who blow -dry their hair . Making sense of Minnie’s conversation was hard enough without adding extra topics.
    “ Bianca called. Caught me just as I pulled up. ” Minnie brandished her tiny new cell phone like a flag. “ Handy. I should’ve had one years ago. Still haven’t figured out how to get rid of that new-fangled message feature. What are you waiting for? Let’s go. ”
    “ I wanted to talk about keeping a low profile. ”
    “ That’s why I didn’t bring Tyler. Velda was disappointed that she couldn’t come , either. I thought of bringing Wendell along, too, but I didn’t see how he’d help our cover story. ”
    Neither did I, but, again, I chose not to muddy the waters by asking why she’d entertain the notion that a dog ’s presence would add anything to the expedition. I’d stick to the point, assuming that Minnie had one. “ You already have a cover story ? ”
    “ Why, bless your heart . I’m good at this detective stuff. I’ll fill you in as we drive. Meadowbrook Realty. ”
    I turned the key in the ignition, thinking just two words: damage control.
    Minnie flipped open a red notebook, but she didn’t glance at her notes. “ You’ve probably seen Rita Strand’s picture in the