“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, I guess. Maybe I’m looking for a mystery where there isn’t one, but I would really like to talk to her when he’s not around. I thought maybe you could hire him to do your cabinets, and while he was over there, I could go introduce myself to her. Even if she doesn’t feel like making a new friend, at least I could talk to her and make her feel welcomed.”
“And you want me to hire this monster to work in my shop?” Mary Beth teased.
“I think he’s probably all right. I mean, he’s worked in the area for a long time according to Wally. I don’t think Wally would recommend the guy if he was trouble, do you?”
“No, I think it’s OK. Besides, it’s just some cabinets, not a whole new kitchen or something, right? I’ll give him a call to see when he can come out, and I’ll let you know. And I hope there’s nothing going on with Mrs. Maxwell that shouldn’t be.”
“Me too. Thanks, Mary Beth.”
Boots was considerate enough to wait until Annie had hung up before she began demanding dinner again. This time Annie was sure she couldn’t put her off.
“All right, come on. Anything to quiet you down, pest.”
Annie scooped her up, snuggling her close until they got to the kitchen. Then, with Boots occupied with “a hearty seafood blend,” Annie went back to the telephone and called Alice.
“We’re set.”
“You don’t mean Mary Beth is in on this, do you?”
“Sure. Why not? She’s going to call him up and see when he can come do her cabinets, and then she’ll let me know. It’s a perfect plan.”
Alice made a little huffing sound. “You know, as much as there’s probably nothing out of the ordinary going on over there, this whole thing is making me nervous.”
“Don’t make it into a big deal. I’ll just go over and have a friendly chat with Mrs. Maxwell. If she’s all right, that’ll be the end of it. Maybe she’ll even want to be friends. And if she does need help, I’d hate to think we all stood by and did nothing, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Once Mary Beth tells you when Tom’s going to be at her place, let me know, and we’ll go over to see his wife.”
“We?”
“Yes, we.” There was unshakable determination in Alice’s voice. “You didn’t think I was going to let you go over there by yourself, did you?”
“I don’t think we both need to—”
“No arguments now. Either I go with you, or I call up Tom Maxwell and tell him everything.”
“You wouldn’t.” Annie bit her lip. “Would you?”
“Absolutely. If your snooping gets you into trouble, it will be up to me to get you out of it. Or at least be right there in the middle of it with you.”
“All right, you can come. But we’re not going to make it a big deal. I just want to have a friendly chat with Mrs. Maxwell. Some people need a little extra encouragement, as Gram used to say. Then I will have done what I’m supposed to. Fair enough?”
“Fair enough. You let me know what Mary Beth says.”
“All right. Have a good night.”
Annie hung up the phone and was about to go fix herself a sandwich when the phone rang.
“Hey, Annie. This is Ian Butler.”
“Hi, there. What’s going on?”
“Just wanted to let you know that I talked to Chief Edwards about that note you got. He had Officer Hamilton take a look. Evidently there are two different sets of distinct prints on it and some partials of a third. You and Alice both need to go see him so they can rule you out.”
“All right.”
“Of course, there’s a good chance that those two sets of prints belong to you ladies, but we’ll see. Maybe we’ll get lucky anyway.”
“Do I need to make an appointment with him?”
“No, he said just come by whenever you’re in town. They’ll take your prints, and then take it from there.”
“OK.” Annie hesitated for a second, thinking she’d tell him about her visit with Tom Maxwell, but she decided not to risk another lecture. “Thanks for talking to Chief Edwards for me, Ian.”
“Anytime, Annie. I want to make sure you’re safe.”
Annie smiled as she hung up the phone. It was nice to have someone looking out for her.
****
Alice was busy all the next day, but Annie coaxed her into coming into town with her the day after that, promising to help her look for a new outfit at Dress to Impress, and then to treat her to a cup of coffee after they had gone to see the chief of police.