Patty was silent for a moment. She turned toward him. “Do you think one of them might actually—”

“They’re kooks,” he declared. “All bark and no bite. Just like Chet. They’re not going to do anything.”

“Carl did something,” she said softly. “And Chet blames you for it. I’m not sure he’s as toothless as you think he is.”

Brad put a hand on her bare knee. “I always take precautions, and I don’t take anything for granted,” he assured her. “But, honestly, I’m not worried about Chet and his dingbats.”

“Then what are you worried about? Because there’s some reason you’re wide awake at two in the morning.”

He sighed again. “Everything. All of it. Do you know how many people have died here in the past month? And I’m not talking old age. I’m talking murder and mysterious circumstances. It’s overwhelming. We’re just a little podunk force here, and we’re way out of our depth. I’m out of my depth.”

“Can’t you call…I don’t know, the state or something? The FBI?”

“Yeah. And we have. We are. And maybe they’ll send someone, but I’m pointman on this. This is my town, my jurisdiction, and me and my guys need to get our asses in gear and show some results.” He shook his head. “Then there’s that damn bank.”

“What bank?”

“The new one. The First People’s Bank. They’re hip deep in something, and I need to prove that, too.”

Patty straightened. “That bank’s been a godsend for real estate.”

“Seriously?”

“Well, maybe not in the long run, because their loan requirements are really lax, but—”

“Isn’t that what led to the housing crisis?”

“Realtors have to use good judgment. I’m not selling to just any Elmer off the street. If I think someone doesn’t qualify, I’ll steer him in another direction. But there are people who are borderline, who don’t look that good on paper but who I know are good for it—I’ve been in this business many years; I can spot them—and the new bank is giving them an opportunity.”

“Are you talking about your new clients?”

“Oh, no. I told you, they’re buying by the golf course. They’d qualify anywhere.”

“Now that you brought them up—”

“You brought them up.”

“—you do seem to be spending a lot of time with these people,” he said. “Maybe a little too much time.”

“I suppose so,” she mused. “But, believe me, it’s going to pay off.”

“Still, the girls.”

“I know.”

“And with all this going on, I’m having to put in extra hours, and work right now is not exactly…kid-friendly.”

“I understand. And I’ll try to schedule my outside meetings during school hours, so I can be there for them when they get out.”