Mother Tick gave the smallest nod of agreement. “Just until he clears his record and can apply for a concealed weapon permit. After that, he can get a good security job.”

Molly swallowed a snarky reply, offering a smile and a nod instead. “That sounds like a solid plan.”

“Do you think he’d be interested in helping remodel the church?” John asked, and Molly gave his hand a squeeze. They worked well as a team. “We’re going to need a lot of hands on deck, but we’ll pay generously.”

Mother Tick straightened with interest. “Well, I can’t answer for him, but I’ll pass that along to him.”

“And his friends,” Molly added quickly. “If he has some that are good with a hammer. We’ll be new to town, so we’ll need to rely on you to let us know who we should trust.”

“Of course.” Mother Tick looked pleased.

“So!” Molly broadened her sunny grin as she looked at the other woman. “Questions. How are the crime levels in this neighborhood? Do you have a lot of problems?”

“No, I don’t, but that doesn’t mean you won’t. My Sky has contacts, and he makes sure I’m safe.”

“Contacts?” Molly tried to sound hopeful, and not like she was going into interrogation mode. “Is there someone we should talk to? We’d like to get along with our new neighbors and parishioners, so any help you could give us would be welcome.”

Mother Tick pursed her lips, eyeing them. It was fairly evident that her desire to brag about her inside knowledge was quickly overwhelming her caution. Wanting to encourage this, Molly widened her eyes and leaned forward slightly, as if she couldn’t wait to hear what the other woman had to say.

“My son’s friend might be able to help you,” she said with a show of reluctance that was overridden by her obvious glee. “Sonny Zarver.”

“Sonny Zarver.” John pulled a pen and a small notebook out of one of his many pockets and jotted that down. “Where can we find him, do you know?”

Mother Tick looked startled by the question, and Molly held her breath, hoping that they hadn’t spooked her. Molly plastered on her best pastor’s wife smile and nudged John, who beamed kindly at Tick’s mom as well. After a moment, she relaxed slightly, and Molly followed suit.

“He’s been staying here, actually,” Mother Tick said, and Molly forced down her excitement, keeping her expression blandly interested with a great deal of effort. They were so close.

“Oh?” Her fingers tightened on John’s hand, needing an outlet to let out her nervous glee. When she heard him grunt, Molly relaxed her grip, giving his fingers the slightest light squeeze in apology. “Is he here now?”

“I think so.” Mother Tick frowned, but it was more uncertain than suspicious this time. “Although I haven’t heard anything from his room yet today.” All three of them glanced at the ceiling, and Molly stopped herself before she could squirm. Their target was so close, just some wooden studs and plaster separating them from a huge bounty and a chance to keep her and her sisters’ home. “He keeps rather…odd hours.” The downturn of the woman’s lips lightened, changing to a proud smile. “Sky, on the other hand… You could set a clock by him.” Her gaze darted to a gold clock sitting on the table, just as it chimed the three-quarter hour.