“Important?” Freddie asked. “What could possibly be more important than this?”
Mrs. Arthur was waving at me. The same Mrs. Arthur who might be selling the property I wanted to buy. Mr. Arthur was there too. I waved back. “This will just take a second.”
“But we’ve got an attempted-murder investigation on the go.”
“That’s debatable.”
“Oh crap! Grady’s on the move.”
“You go,” I said, waving him on again. Truth was, I was grateful for the opportunity to avoid Grady for a little longer. I wasn’t ready to see him what with the whole “we were not meant to be” thing still rattling around in my head.
“Fine, but hurry up!”
Freddie rushed away as I maneuvered around a group of short, older men wearing fezzes. The Shriners were in Otter Lake? This party sure had a weird mix of guests.
Now I had to play this just right. I didn’t really know Nanette and Gerald Arthur. In fact, I don’t think I had even spoken to them directly. I knew of them though. They had left the rat race in New York to live a minimalist existence off the grid in New Hampshire, and they were friendly with my mother—similar philosophies toward life. If I had to guess, they were probably in their mid to late forties, but both were in great shape. Nanette had her hair styled into a cute glossy bob that made a V-shape on her forehead, and Gerald had his hair slicked back and was sporting quite the dapper monocle. They were really going for it.
Nanette held out her gloved hand. “Erica, hello. Sorry to interrupt, but Matthew said you wanted to speak to us, and there are so many people here tonight”—she gave her head a bewildered little shake—“it’s difficult to find anyone in this crowd.”
“No, absolutely. Thank you for calling me over. I did want to speak to you. Matthew mentioned that you two might be thinking of selling—”
“Let me stop you right there,” Gerald said, fiddling with his monocle. “We know what it is you’re hoping for, but I’m afraid we can’t help you.”
“Oh,” I said, shoulders slumping. “So you’re not moving after all?”
Nanette smiled sympathetically. “Well, we are, but…”
I sighed. “MRG has already made you an offer.”
“Candace is very persuasive,” she said, looking to her husband. “Gerald and I just wanted you to know that we really are sorry. We’d much rather sell to you, it’s just…”
“It’s okay. Really,” I said, not really meaning that at all.
She tucked the sides of her V-shaped bob behind her ears with her gloved fingers. “It’s not. We know everybody hates what MRG is doing to this town, and yet…”
“They haven’t really left anybody any other choice,” I offered. Deep pockets could do that.
She gave me another pained smile. “Besides, despite the work we’ve put into it, our place still needs a lot of upgrading. Living off the grid isn’t for everyone.”
“It’s exhausting really. You have to be really resourceful,” Gerald added with a nod. “Up for anything. You know, be able to think on your feet.”
Obviously he had never had a best friend like Freddie. “Well, thank you for letting me know,” I said, trying really hard not to look quite so much like I was five, and they had just popped my balloon. “I wouldn’t have wanted to get my hopes up.” I didn’t carry that line off at all. “I have to go meet up with my friend,” I said, pointing in the direction Freddie had scurried off to. “So thanks again.”
The couple exchanged another concerned look, before Nanette added, “There’s just one more thing we wanted to talk to you about, Erica.”
Gerald jumped in. “It’s really none of our business, but—”
“We think very highly of your mother,” Nanette continued, “and…”
They both fell silent.
I frowned as a cold feeling crept over me. Why were these people I barely knew looking at me like my dog had just died. Oh! Bad thought. Sorry, Stanley. “And what?”
“You know what?” Gerald said, patting his wife’s arm. “It really isn’t our business. You know how rumors get spread in this town. Have a nice night, Erica.”
His wife nodded. “Sorry we couldn’t have given you better news.”
I opened my mouth to say something, I guess to stop them, but they had made a beeline away from me.
Well, what the heck was that all about?
I blinked a few times then looked around the room.
Okay, call me paranoid. But suddenly it seemed like a lot of people were looking in my direction. Far more than would be possible by chance. Something was going on here. Over the years I had developed a special talent for knowing when I was at the center of town gossip.
My eyes trailed around the room again.
No, I wasn’t imagining it. A number of people were giving me sideways looks and whispering.
I did not like this at all.
Okay, yes, I had promised Freddie I’d meet him ASAP. And I would. In a minute. But I needed to find out what was going on first.
And I knew just who to ask.
I looked over to the club chairs by the ferns. Still empty. Hmm, maybe these looks had something to do with Grady and Candace breaking up? But that didn’t explain the Arthurs’ nervousness. It was almost like they wanted to warn me about something.
Yup, the case of the poisoned dog would have to wait.
I scanned the crowd some more.
Aha! Got ’em.
Blackjack table three o’clock.