Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley

animals stepped on them.
    “That’s okay.” Maggie picked up Romeo, who had wandered over to her in a gesture that looked a lot like an apology. “Accidents happen.”
    “I’ll make you another cup after I get this cleaned up,” I offered.
    “No, I think I’ll skip it this morning. I wanted to talk to you before you headed out for the day.”
    “Oh, okay. What about?” I asked as I got the mop out of the broom closet and began to soak up the rest of the tea from the floor.
    “I spent a good part of the night thinking about our discussion yesterday,” Maggie began.
    “I’m sorry we argued,” I offered as I returned the mop to the closet and sat down across from her. “You know I love you, but I worry that you aren’t getting any better.”
    “I know.” Maggie placed her hand over mine. “I’ve decided to go for additional testing. I’m going to the mainland on the one o’clock ferry. I’ll probably stay through the weekend, but I should be home sometime on Monday. I hoped you could help Marley at the store while I was gone.”
    “I’d be happy to.” I smiled. “And thank you for doing this.”
    “What’s this about visiting with Francine?” Maggie asked.
    I took a huge bite of the waffle I’d served myself to delay answering. On one hand, I really wanted Maggie’s input on the situation. On the other, if she knew that something might have happened to Francine she would most likely cancel her trip.
    “I wanted to ask her about Keith Weaver,” I compromised. “I’ve been thinking about his murder, and it seems to me that the motive could very well have to do with Bill Powell’s condo project.”
    “How so?” Maggie asked.
    “It occurred to me that Keith’s vote regarding the project could be pivotal. As of the last meeting, there were three members, including Keith, who were against and two members who supported the project. Tara told me recently she’d heard from Kim that Keith had switched sides and was planning to vote to approve the project. If that’s really true it seems to me that someone who’s strongly against the project might want Keith out of the way.”
    “Wouldn’t it be a bit extreme to kill someone over a difference of opinion?”
    “I think we’re talking about more than just an opinion here. The project has raised some really serious emotions. Those who want to see the lifestyle on the island preserved feel very strongly that the project, and others like it, should be blocked, while those who are barely scrapping by are counting on the project to bring new revenue to the island.”
    Maggie took a sip of her milk. “You do have a point. I have to admit I haven’t kept up with things the way I used to since I’ve been ill, but I hadn’t heard anything about Keith switching sides.”
    “That’s the thing; I’m not a hundred percent certain he had. Kim worked with him. She saw him every day, so you’d think she would know where he stood on the issue, but Bitzy, who’s interested in buying one of the new units and supports the project, told Tara and me that Keith seemed to be intent on blocking the project. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I do know that something doesn’t add up.”
    “What does this have to do with Francine?” Maggie asked suspiciously.
    “I figure that with Keith gone, his spot on the board will be filled by one of the four candidates running for the open seat. I think the assignment of Keith’s seat is going to be hotly contested because it will represent the deciding vote. You and Francine oppose the project while Drake Moore and Porter Wilson support it.”
    Maggie frowned. I realized a moment too late that I might have said too much. I could see the wheels in her mind turning and was certain she was on the verge of canceling her trip.
    “I’m sure the council won’t do anything about replacing Keith until next month’s meeting,” I added. “Hopefully, by then the specialist you’re going to see will have identified the