The woman took Mo’s statement, which was that the tires were fine when she went into the store and flat when she came out. She didn’t see anyone or notice anything strange.

Mo called the insurance company and they sent a tow truck to take the car to an auto repair shop down the street. We sat in the stuffy waiting room for two hours while they replaced the tires. While Mo was signing the paperwork and trying not to pass out from the shock of seeing the cost, my phone rang. It was Mrs. Redmond. I stepped outside to answer it.

“Mrs. Redmond?”

“Hi, Briseis. Karter said you were trying to reach me?”

“Yeah, sorry to bother you. I wanted to see if you found any other keys?”

“I’ve been very busy. I really haven’t had time, but I’m pretty good about making sure things are organized and that my clients’ wishes are fulfilled to the letter.”

Her tone was sharp and I felt bad for implying that she was disorganized. “I’m sorry. The house is old. Maybe there isn’t a key for some of the doors.”

“I’m here at the office now. I can call you back after I’ve double-checked.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Mo met me at the car, looking exhausted. We got in, and she leaned her head on the steering wheel. “They don’t let you get two new tires. You gotta get four or the car will be unbalanced, but the only thing unbalanced right now is my damn bank account. It’s always something.”

My phone rang again.

“Hi, Mrs. Redmond.”

“Hi, Briseis. I really apologize. I don’t have another key for you, but I do have something my secretary misplaced. It’s a drawing. It’s here if you’d like to swing by and get it.”

“Be there in five minutes.” I put my hand on Mo’s arm. “It’s gonna be okay. I’m gonna reopen the apothecary and get some money coming in.”

“Always lookin’ at the bright side.” She smiled and leaned back.

“I get that from you,” I said. “Can you run me to Mrs. Redmond’s office quick? She has a paper she forgot to give to me.”

“Didn’t you just come from there earlier?”

“Yeah, she wasn’t there, but she is now.”

Five minutes later I got out of the car and went up to Mrs. Redmond’s office again. The door sat ajar.

I stepped inside and an electronic bell chimed.

“Be right there,” she called from another room.