Mrs. Love stepped aside, then backed up a few steps to allow Gentry Lomax to take her place front and center.

Gentry Lomax was a presence, there was no doubt about it. He towered over Jack’s six feet by a good four inches. He wore his hair high and tight. Military, Jack surmised. He had steel-gray eyes over brows that were manicured and totally gray. He was no youngster, but he was fit and trim. He stood ramrod stiff, almost as if he had a broom handle strapped to his back. He wore pressed khakis with creases so sharp that Jack wondered if they cut into his legs. He wore a collared T-shirt in olive green with HAPPY VILLAGE stenciled on the front. Jack looked down at the spit-shined shoes and swore he could see his own reflection. The watch he wore was expensive and probably did everything but cook a meal. “Jack Emery,” Jack said, holding out his hand. “My partner is Ted Robinson. We’re here at the request of Mrs. Cricket. And this is Cyrus.”

Gentry Lomax looked down at the dog, his eyes narrowing. “We should talk outside. I don’t want any dog hair in the office.”

“Cyrus doesn’t shed, Mr. Lomax. Inside will be just fine,” Jack said, authority ringing in his voice as he stepped past the Happy Village manager, Cyrus at his side. Ted followed and closed the door behind him.

Jack could see Lomax stiffen even further and his eyes narrow. He looked as if he wanted to punch something, preferably Jack.

“Mrs. Cricket would like to know what is going on. That means she wants a report, and she wants to know why you haven’t been in touch.” Jack waited for an invitation to sit down. When none was forthcoming, his own back stiffened. This was not going to go well; he could feel it in his bones.

Gentry Lomax’s voice was like his appearance, sharp and clipped. “I don’t see why. Nothing has changed other than Mr. Cricket’s being shot here. The police have all the reports, and they’re available to anyone who wants to pay five dollars to get a copy. I file a report at the end of the month for Mr. Cricket, and that’s how we do things here.”

“Well, that’s going to change right now. Mrs. Love, please help us out here.”

Lomax’s hand shot upward. “Hold on. I don’t take orders from you, and neither does Mrs. Love. You have no right to come in here and make demands.”

Now Jack’s ire was up. Cyrus started to fidget. Ted inched closer to Jack.