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Emma waved goodbye to Sean and then hurried over to greet the newcomers. Approaching the office door, Emma noticed Travis leaning casually against his car, arms crossed, embodying an air of nonchalance. His guest was taking in her surroundings, her eyes scanning the area. Emma called out a friendly hello, and Zoe opened the office door to ensure everything was in order.
"I'm here to get the puppy!" Emma called to her with a smile.
"Your timing is perfect. I need to do some errands, and Dixie needs a walk. One of the construction crew members is working in your studio, so if you hear some banging, that's what it's all about," Zoe interjected, giving Emma a stern look to convey the message that she wasn't alone on the property.
"Right. I'll probably take Dixie for her walk in that direction just to see what's going on," Emma replied, acknowledging Zoe's concern.
Zoe stepped back into the office and returned a moment later with the eager puppy on a leash. Dixie barked excitedly upon seeing Emma, tugging at the leash to reach her. Emma bent down, picked up the puppy, and cuddled her for a moment before turning her attention to Travis and his companion.
"Hey, Travis! Didn't expect to see you out here. What's up?" Emma greeted him warmly.
Before he could respond, his companion rushed forward, enthralled by the adorable puppy, whose tail wagged vigorously from the attention.
"Oh, my goodness, she's so cute! What's her name?" the woman gushed, unable to contain her excitement.
Travis let out a groan, and Emma tried not to cringe at the high-pitched, childlike voice of his companion. Intuitively, she knew that listening to that voice for an extended period would grate on her nerves.
Noticing Emma's pointed look, Travis hurried to introduce his companion as his cousin Wendy. But she was too preoccupied with the dog to acknowledge Emma's presence properly. The woman's plump cheeks formed a smiling facade, but Emma couldn't help but notice that the smile didn't reach her eyes. She also couldn't ignore the meaningful glances the woman exchanged with Travis. It was clear that theirs was not a close-knit family tie, and Emma wondered what Wendy's position in the Anderson household was.
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking. How is your mom doing?" Emma inquired politely, diverting the conversation.
Travis couldn't contain his smile as he replied, "Once the initial shock wore off, she was on the phone. And the first person she called was Charlotte Potter."
"I saw Charlotte earlier, and she mentioned the phone call. She also reinforced Midge's request for me to look into what happened this morning. I have two recruits who are going to help me. Are you still interested?" Emma disclosed, eager to discuss her plans with Travis.
"Definitely. I was hoping to talk to you about it, but I wasn't expecting a tagalong," Travis responded, his irritation evident.
"Listen, I'm meeting up with my two friends tomorrow morning at the causeway. Why don't you join us?" Emma proposed, offering Travis a chance to be part of the investigation.
Their hushed conversation finally caught Wendy's attention, and she demanded to know what they were discussing.
"It's none of your business, Wendy," Travis retorted bluntly, surprising Emma with his directness. He understood Wendy was the type of person who needed things spelled out for her and wouldn't grasp subtlety. Aware that the discussion between Travis and Wendy could escalate, Emma quickly interjected, offering them a tour of the property.
Travis was about to accept the offer when Dixie, exhausted from her excitement, began to yawn. Sensing the puppy was no longer interested in her, Wendy insisted they leave. Embarrassed by the situation, Emma took a step back from Travis, and Dixie instinctively walked a few steps to be by her side. The little puppy nestled at Emma's feet, resting her head across Emma's shoes.
"I guess we'll have to take a rain check, Emma. But I'll meet you tomorrow morning, and we'll talk then. I'll come alone," Travis assured her, keen to continue their conversation without Wendy's interference. Shooting Emma a furious look, Wendy stomped her way to the car and slumped into the seat, resembling a spoiled child who hadn't gotten her way.
"Sorry about that. I'm not sure why she attached herself to me today, but she's family," Travis explained apologetically.
"Don't worry about it. We'll talk tomorrow, and maybe by then we'll have more information, or at least a starting point for our investigation," Emma replied, trying to ease Travis's concerns.
Travis appeared as though he wanted to say something more, but Wendy rolled down the window and impatiently called for him to get moving. With a shrug, Travis walked around to the driver's side, lifted his hand in a wave to Emma, and moments later, they were pulling out of the compound. Emma walked down to the gate, holding the tired puppy, and made sure it closed tightly behind them. One surprise was enough for the day, and she preferred to limit access to the property to those with gate codes, at least for now.
Emma watched Travis and Wendy's car disappear, a blend of relief and curiosity stirring within her. She was relieved that Wendy's presence had ended and that she could now focus on her conversation with Travis the next day. However, she couldn't help but be intrigued by Wendy's behavior and wondered what role she played in the Anderson family dynamics. There was clear tension between Wendy and Travis, and Emma made a mental note to delve deeper into their relationship when the time was right.
Turning her attention back to Dixie, Emma knelt to release the leash and let the tired puppy roam freely. Dixie immediately plopped down on the ground, yawning, and stretching out her tiny paws. Emma chuckled at the adorable sight and decided it was the perfect opportunity to take the puppy for a walk around the property.
As they strolled along the familiar paths, Emma took in the compound's beauty. The lush greenery, the swaying palm trees, and the tranquility of the surroundings all brought a sense of calm to her. She couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to call this place home and to have Dixie by her side.
While enjoying the peacefulness of the walk, Emma's mind started to wander, contemplating the murder and the mysterious theft of the ornaments. There were so many unanswered questions, and she was determined to find the truth. She knew that her recruits, Jake and Kim, would bring valuable skills and connections to the investigation. With their help, she hoped to uncover leads and the motive behind the crimes.
As they reached the edge of the property, Emma's phone buzzed with a message. It was a reminder of her meeting with Jake and Kim tomorrow morning at the causeway. She smiled, knowing that things were falling into place. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of their joint efforts to solve the mysteries surrounding Midge's murder and the missing ornaments.
Returning to the main house, Emma gently scooped up Dixie and carried her inside. Zoe greeted them at the door, her stern expression softening as she saw the adorable puppy in Emma's arms.
"Looks like Dixie had quite the adventure," Zoe remarked, her tone lighter than before.
Emma nodded with a smile. "Yes, she did. Our visitors kept her entertained. It was an interesting encounter, to say the least. But tomorrow, I'm meeting up with Jake and Kim to discuss the investigation further."
Zoe's eyes lit up with curiosity. "I hope you'll be careful, Emma. These things can be dangerous, and you're stepping into unknown territory."
Emma appreciated Zoe's concern but was determined to move forward. "I understand the risks, Zoe, but I can't sit back and do nothing. With Jake, Kim, and even Travis's involvement, we'll have a strong team."
Zoe sighed, recognizing Emma's determination. "Just promise me you'll prioritize your safety, Emma. I can't stand the thought of something happening to you."
"I promise, Zoe. Safety first," Emma assured her, grateful for Zoe's support.
With that, Emma bid Zoe goodnight and headed to her temporary quarters in the guesthouse. She carefully settled Dixie into her makeshift bed, ensuring the puppy was comfortable and secure. As she climbed into her bed, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension for what lay ahead.
Tomorrow would be a pivotal day, where they would gather at the causeway to strategize and share information. Emma's mind buzzed with questions and possibilities, but she knew that her determination and the support of her friends would guide them toward the truth.