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DANA RETURNED TO THE Victorian feeling dejected. She could not believe Troy arrested Garth for the murder of Brenda Barinotta. Why on earth would Garth return to the home if he really did kill her? Though she had doubts that Garth was telling her everything, she truly believed that he didn’t kill Brenda.
When the dryer was finished its cycle, Dana opened the door and took out the hot tea towels and folded and placed them at the side.
She then reached into the kitchen cupboard to grab Grandma Rae’s recipe book to bring to the Cozy Cupcakes. She wanted to photocopy a few pages for Inga so that they could try out some new recipes in the coming week. She also grabbed a few Cozy Cupcakes pink and white business cards to give to Bea for her customers with her upcoming catering gig this afternoon at Bea’s Salon. Bea’s customers had been requesting cards so that they could keep to have catering done for their own special occasions. Dana was really flattered and had a separate batch done up by her designer delivered to her home.
She placed the box of business cards in her tote handbag and also placed the recipe book inside.
“Okay Truffs, mommy will be back later. You’re good?” she smiled at her Ginger Persian kitty.
Truffles purred with delight and curled around her ankle. Dana wished everyone in the world was a sweet as Truffles. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, especially around that neighborhood. She still couldn’t get over the fact that a cold blooded murderer was on the loose and something deep inside her told her that Garth, as guilty as he looked, was innocent.
“Okay, I guess Garth running off when Troy wanted to question him wasn’t a smart idea,” Dana admitted to herself. Truffles let out a low groan from her lips.
Dana smiled. “Guess you agree with me, huh?”
Just then the door knocked and startled Dana.
She walked over to the door, Truffles following close by and opened it when she saw it was Mrs. Brunes.
“Mrs. Brunes, is everything okay?” She’d just spoken to her earlier in the street after Brenda’s body was removed from next door.
“Oh yes, it’s fine, dear,” she said, holding a large plastic bag in her arms.
“Would you like to come in?”
“Yes, dear. I’m here to return this to you,” Mrs. Brunes said, handing Dana the plastic bag.
“What is it?”
“Oh, just something I borrowed from your grandmother over a year ago.”
“Oh?” Dana was surprised. And she was just returning it now. Little late, wasn’t it?
Dana took the bag from her and opened it. It was an old iron Dutch cooking pot. One of Grandma Rae’s favorite. Dana was surprised that Grandma Rae would loan out one of her favorite pots. But then again, her nana had always been very hospitable and friendly to her neighbors.
“Thank you,” Dana said quietly. “I guess better late than never.”
“Of course. I was just reminded of it today.”
Dana arched a brow. “Is there anything else, Mrs. Brunes?” She was sure that there must be more to Mrs. Brunes just popping by after all this time to bring a pot she’d borrowed over a year ago from her late grandmother.
“Well, yes. It’s about that dear girl, Mrs. Barinotta’s niece.”
“Yes, it’s tragic isn’t it?”
“Yes, she was quite a nice girl. Just very loud. I’m so glad it’s going to be more quiet around her. I can’t stand loud noises.”
Dana felt the hair on her neck stand up.
“Anyway,” Mrs. Brunes continued. “I think I know who could have done it.”
“You do?”
“Yes. That girl had so many man visitors, it wasn’t funny. One would think she was running a brothel of some kind. Shame on her for bringing down the neighborhood like that. Back in my day...”
“Mrs. Brunes, are you sure about that? We can’t really judge her like that. We don’t really know what went on there.”
Mrs. Brunes arched her brow. “Well, I’m sure she wasn’t running a daycare!”
Dana pursed her lips. “Okay. Maybe she had a lot of guy friends. Doesn’t mean she was doing anything immoral or illegal.”
“Oh, I don’t know. There was this one fellow. Some Luke guy.”
Dana’s ears burned. “Luke?”
“Yes, why?”
Dana thought about the name on the pen L. Roberts.
“Did you get his last name?”
Mrs. Brunes rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m going to ask her friends what their surnames are.”
“Okay, sorry I asked. I just think it’s weird because I...”
“What dear?”
Dana didn’t want to say too much but then she wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery guy and what he may or may not know about Brenda’s murder.
Mrs. Brunes was also known to be a busy body and a nosy neighbor. That was why it stunned Dana that she never saw a thing last night. And for someone who was fully aware of Brenda’s comings and goings and that of her guests, it amazed Dana that she never saw anything suspicious last night. Then it dawned on her that maybe Mrs. Brunes fell asleep early. She was a self-professed sun downer, after all. Maybe, she was just fishing for some information from Dana. After all, why bring over a used pot after all this time?
She sighed and glanced at her watch. “Mrs. Brunes, I’d love to chat some more but I have to stop at the café then I have a catering gig at the salon later this afternoon. Can we talk about this later?”
“Yes, dear. Of course. And I’m sorry about not bringing over the pot sooner. I’m sure your dear old grandma would have appreciated it.”
“It’s no worries, Mrs. Brunes. Have a good day.”
“Yes, dear.” Mrs. Brunes made her way out the door. Dana still had her coat on and her tote handbag slugged over her shoulder ready to go.
As Mrs. Brunes left, Truffles hissed loudly.
“Truffles, shh,” Dana said, flushing. She wondered why on earth Truffles was so upset.
Truffles instincts were quite often spot on when it came to people who were hiding things.
Just then another car pulled up to the side of the road. Truffles hissed loudly again.
Dana glanced at the license plate of the car as she stood in her doorway but couldn’t see anything. It was a dark sedan with tinted windows. The car had slowed down as if to see what was going on with all that commotion earlier. Then the car sped on.
Dana sighed deeply. It then occurred to her that many people were probably aware of the suspicious death next door and an onlooker just wanted to be nosy and see what was going on.
“You okay, Truffs?” Dana said as she scooped her feline into her arms and gave her a good hug and squeeze. “I know you don’t like Lookie Lous. It was probably just a curious driver, just like the ones you get who slow down because of an accident...” Dana paused. But shouldn’t the road be taped off by forensics?
She then placed Truffles down and the little kitty scooted on inside the house. Dana grabbed her keys and made her way out the door. She looked down the street and saw the car had parked a few doors down.
Right, that did it. She was going to confront that driver. This was, after all, her street. She had to look out for her neighbors. When she glanced up the street at the other end, she saw a yellow caution tape and a police cruiser. How on earth did this driver get through that?
She walked on the pavement toward the car and slowed down a bit. The man was on the phone. Then...
She noticed that there were no hub cabs, only black rims. She then noticed in the front grill and rear window, there was a small round emergency light.
Ah, now that makes sense.
It was an unmarked police car.
Dana sighed deeply.
Okay, I really need to stop being so paranoid.
Then again, there is a murderer on the loose. Maybe, I’ll have to hold off on that until he or she is caught...