for a while, then picked up the phone and called all the customers who’d been stopped by the note. I got answering machines on all the calls, which was just as well. If I’d have to have a real conversation, I might just do what I’d wanted to do for the last few hours. Cry.
Chapter 8
Toby sat waiting at the house when I got home. Sitting outside on the porch with Emma at his side. He waved as I walked up the sidewalk toward him. “What are you doing here? I thought Greg had you on day shift for the duration while he solved this murder?”
He held out a Coke and offered it to me. “I saw you coming, so I ran in to get one. I heard from Tim you had a bad morning.”
“Sometimes people can be jerks.” I took the soda and popped open the can. Then I took a long swig of the magical concoction. “There’s a reason God put sugar on the earth. It’s for days like this. I might just eat a quart of ice cream for dinner, unless Greg’s planning on being here.”
Toby shifted uncomfortably. “He told me to tell you he’s going to be working late again. He’ll order food delivered to the station.”
There were so many answers to that message, but I was going to be an adult and not use my employees as go-betweens. If Greg wanted to, that was his option. I would be the better person. “Okay then, message delivered. You can go back to work.”
“Actually, I’m here to talk to you about the real estate woman. Greg asked me to look into her because he said you felt threatened by her.” Toby stroked Emma’s back, and I swear she was smiling. My dog loved the men in her life.
“Maybe I’m overreacting. She told me I was going to sell the house and she was going to be the one who would list it. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “It’s been a crappy week.”
Toby pulled me into a hug and patted my back. And the tears fell. “I can’t believe I’m crying on your shoulder. I mean, I’m a strong, independent woman. I shouldn’t be crying over a pushy salesperson.”
“I think you’ve got more going on in your life than just an in-your-face salesperson. Jackie told me about the Business-to-Business trouble. Tim didn’t want to call her. I think he’s a little afraid of your aunt. Then Frank died in front of you. And of course, you and Greg…” He took out a handkerchief from his uniform pocket. “Sorry, that was prying. I don’t want to know anything about my bosses’ fights. It feels like I’m the kid in between two parents.”
I took the white handkerchief and wiped my eyes. He hadn’t even mentioned the back and forth about the Mission Wall. That had been totally stressful. “I guess it has been a lot. Did Tim talk to this Tia? Did she admit to putting up the sign?”
“She didn’t until he threatened to charge her because you had video of her. Then she broke down and said it wasn’t her fault. That they made her do the dirty work. Then she promised to leave you and the shop alone.”
“‘They’? Did she say who ‘they’ were? If this is a gang, it doesn’t matter that she promised; someone else will just take up the gauntlet.” I folded the handkerchief. “I’ll wash this and get it back to you. Now, I’m going to go take Emma for a run. Unless you have more good news for me.”
“This Realtor, do you have her card? I’d like to have Esmeralda run a check on her.” He stood to follow me to the door.
“Sure, let me just grab it.” I walked inside with Toby and Emma on my heels. The card was sitting on the kitchen table and I handed it over like it was poison. “Here you go; knock yourself out.”
He took the card, then tucked it into his pocket where the handkerchief had been. “Don’t worry, Jill. Everything is going to work out just fine. You’ll be fine.”
I watched him leave and wished I had his confidence, his determination. His faith. And I knew the only way to get myself out of these dumps, besides the ice cream sitting in my freezer, calling my name, was to run.
I went upstairs to change, and in just a few minutes, Emma and