For a second I could see Millicent standing by her car and a man coming up and saying, “Can I help you, ma’am?” The man had Major Bissell’s face. I shivered.

“Unh-uh,” I said. “Her death and Emily’s are connected some way.”

“The killer saw them together all the time. He was after them both.”

“I don’t think so. I don’t think a serial killer would have tried to make Emily’s death look like suicide.”

“Well, it’s possible.” We were entering the city limits and Frances slowed to thirty.

“Anything’s possible,” I agreed. “What do I know?”

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

My sweet Fred’s car was in the parking lot at the condo. I felt a pleasant little blip of anticipation when I saw it, a very nice thing after forty years of marriage. The few days away from each other had been good for us.

“Papa’s here,” Haley said, getting out of the Jaguar. “The world is a safer place now.”

“Yes, it is, Miss Smart Aleck.” She and I grinned at each other. As much as she complains about Fred being over protective, I know it’s part of her security, too.

“How did the Jaguar drive?” Frances asked.

“Fine.” Haley reached over and got the picnic basket. “I might have enjoyed it if Aunt Sister hadn’t made me so nervous. I swear if there had been a mailbox between here and Sunnyside I probably would have hit it.” I knew the feeling.

We collected all the picnic paraphernalia and went upstairs. I opened the door of the apartment and called Fred’s name. I had expected to be greeted with a hug, but there wasn’t an answer. I walked onto the balcony and saw that he and Fairchild were sitting on the stile.

“Hey, honey!” I yelled.

Fred looked up, waved, and motioned for me to come down.

“He’s on the stile,” I told Frances and Haley as I sailed by the kitchen. “He’ll probably want some supper, so don’t put the picnic stuff up yet.”

Fred was waiting for me, and his hug smelled like a chili hot dog with lots of onions. “You stopped at Porky Pete’s,” I said into his shoulder.

“I was starving.”

“How many did you have?”

“Just two.”

“Are we going to be up all night?”

“If you want to.”

Lord, this man felt good. I stood there for a moment just savoring it.

“Fred’s been telling me about his business deal,” Fairchild said, and the two of us moved apart guiltily, remembering Fairchild’s loss. “Sounds good.”

“Yes, it does,” I agreed. Fred and I sat on the bench across from Fairchild.

“I was telling him we’d probably be spending more time down here,” Fred said, reaching for my hand.

“Well, if you’re thinking about moving, get your driver’s license now. Best advice Millicent ever gave me.”