“Thank God!” Espinosa said dramatically. “I’m his nephew. By marriage. He asked me to come down to check the pipes so they don’t freeze. Not that it’s any of your business, ma’am. Who are you anyway?”

“Your neighbor. I just got here but have no heat. There’s something wrong with the breaker box, too. We…I don’t have any electricity either. Do you have heat?”

“No heat, but the power is on. The gas lamps are out on the street. Could have been the wind. It is pretty squally out there right now.”

“When did you get here?” Newsom asked.

“You sure are nosy for a neighbor. About an hour ago. I’m just getting ready to leave. You got a problem, take it up with my uncle. I’m outta here.”

“Did you…did you see anyone on the street when you got here?”

“Lady…I don’t even know your name…You can’t get in here unless the guard allows it. You should be talking to him, not me. I’ve never been here before, so I can’t help you.”

“What’s your name?” Newsom asked.

“What’s yours?” Espinosa parried.

“Adel Newsom. I’m a lawyer. And you are?”

“Mike Otis’s nephew, Fabio Garcia. I’m a plumber. A good one, by the way. Before you leave, you better let the faucets drip, or the pipes will burst. Then you won’t have any water either. That’s the problem with having a vacation home. You need to live in a house and keep up with it from time to time. If you don’t mind, I was just getting ready to leave. Call Mike if you have any problems. Check your car radio for the weather. Nice meeting you, Ms. Newsom.”

“Do you have any wood?”

Espinosa leaned against the door frame. “Nah. Mike didn’t order any. If he had any, I’d sleep by the fireplace. I’m not looking forward to heading into town. Doesn’t look too good out there. You be careful now. I want to check everything one more time before I leave.” He yawned elaborately. “Hey, why don’t you try calling the guardhouse or whomever you call for maintenance around here? Sorry I couldn’t help you.”

“I’m sorry, too,” Newsom said as she tried to peer past Espinosa and into the house.

“Well, if there’s nothing else…”

Newsom shrugged and hugged her down coat tighter to her chest. “Be careful on the road. Good thing you have a four-wheel drive,” she added as an afterthought. At least that was the way it sounded to Espinosa.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t have attempted this if I didn’t have four-wheel drive. That’s why Mike asked me to make the trip. Maybe we’ll meet up again when Mike has his annual Fourth of July party.”