“Sure thing. I already started looking into Morris Lamber, and he’s as boring as you’d think an accounting professor would be. I’ll have more concrete information for you in an hour or so,” Nester said, country music playing in the background. “How long do you want us in today? I have a date tonight.”

“Must be nice,” Huck said. “Where are you going?”

Nester tapped his hands on the old door. “Kenny Chesney concert.”

Huck grinned. “Sounds like fun.”

“Yep.” Nester turned back to his computer, typing rapidly. “My date actually got the tickets and asked me. She’s in marketing for the arena and has decent connections as well as eyes the color of a summer sky.”

Huck chuckled. “A computer guru with a romantic streak. It’s nice to meet you, Nester.”

“You, too.” Nester didn’t look up from his monitor.

Laurel walked down the hallway. “You’re a Chesney fan, Huck?”

“Definitely.” Huck followed her past the old pastry case, pausing to smile at Kate, who also had a Staggers latte in front of her. “How are the girls, Kate?”

“Busy. Very, very, very busy,” Kate said, writing on a legal pad. “My oldest is dating a guy who mumbles. Can’t understand a thing he says. I just want to smack him on the top of his head.” She looked up, seeing Laurel put on her coat. “Do you need me for the rest of the day?”

“Oh, no. It looks like Nester will work for a few more hours, and I don’t know when Huck and I will return today.” Perhaps Laurel shouldn’t have called her in. While she’d been helpful, she had her hands full with three teenagers. It appeared as if the girls’ father wasn’t cooperative, but Laurel didn’t want to pry. “You can head out if you’d like. Stacks of work will still be here on Monday.” Probably more if she managed to glean useful information from Mrs. Bearing. “Thanks for coming in.”

“Sure.” Kate crouched down to rub her hands through Aeneas’s fur. “Who’s a good dog? Who’s the best dog?” she crooned. Then she looked up. “After spending time with this cutie a few weeks ago, my girls all want a dog now. I’m probably going to give in and get one, but who has time to train one?” She stood, brushing off her jeans.

Laurel smiled. “The girls would help, I’m sure.” She buttoned up her wool coat. “I’m thinking of turning a barn into a house.” She knew she should also share personal information, since she and Kate were friends. In fact, she’d almost lost her mind when Kate had been kidnapped during the last case, and that was rare for her.

Kate blinked. “A barn into a house?”