Concern flashed into Ian’s eyes. “Did you call the police?”
“Just Roy. I never actually saw anyone out there, and he’s right down the street.”
“And I suppose he jumped at the chance to come see you.”
“He was nice enough to come by.” Annie looked up and then smiled tightly. “And here he is now.”
“Annie!” Roy waved from across the room and made his way toward her. “Good to see you again.”
“Hi, Roy. Ian and I were just talking about what happened last night.”
“Mr. Mayor.” He extended his hand to Ian, who shook it coolly.
“Officer Hamilton. I understand you didn’t find any sign of a prowler at Annie’s.”
“Nope. But I’ll keep an eye on her till we figure out what’s going on.” He winked at Annie. “Meanwhile, I can’t complain about some of the best coffee and best company I’ve had since I’ve been in Stony Point.”
“She is good company,” Ian said, his voice carefully pleasant. “You haven’t forgotten about our rain check, have you, Annie?”
Both men looked at her, and she could feel the heat rise in her face. “No, not at all. I’ll let you know about that.”
Roy’s eyes narrowed just the slightest bit, but he kept a slight smile on his face. “Sounds like running the city isn’t keeping you busy enough these days, Mr. Mayor.”
“Can’t complain, Officer. Can’t complain. How about you? I don’t suppose you’ve found out anything more about the anonymous letter writer?”
“Nothing yet, but I’ve got my eyes open.”
Annie saw Alice and Mary Beth making a fresh batch of punch and seized the opportunity. “Sounds like you two have business to talk about, and I see I’m needed at the drinks table.”
She waved airily, and over their protests, made her escape.
Alice grinned at her when she got to their table. “You know neither of them was particularly interested in talking to the other.”
“Hush and give me that pineapple juice.”
She punched holes in the top of the can and started emptying it into the big cut-glass bowl. Just as she finished with a fresh batch of punch, Stony Point’s chief of police came up to the table.
“Good evening, Mrs. Dawson.” He lifted his empty plastic cup. “Am I too early for a refill?”
“Just in time.” She gave the well-iced mixture one last stir and then dipped out as much punch as the ladle would hold. “How’s that?”
He took a deep drink. “Excellent, thank you. It’s good to see you again. And good to know it’s outside of work.”
“Yes, I’m glad to forget about the whole note thing, at least for tonight. Even Ian and Roy were talking about it.” Annie glanced over to where the two men had been standing, but now Ian was talking to elderly Mrs. Snyder, and Roy was nowhere to be seen. “Anyway, tonight is just food and fun. No notes.”
“I’m sorry we never found out anything for you on that. At least you haven’t gotten any more.”
She shook her head. “Not since Tuesday anyway.”
“You had one on Tuesday? Why didn’t you let me know?”
“Didn’t Roy tell you?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Maybe he didn’t think it was that important. It was pretty much the same stuff as the other two.”
“You’ve had three of these things now?”
Annie wrinkled her brow. “I thought Roy was keeping you informed all this time. Maybe since you put him in charge of the investigation, he wanted to wait to talk to you about it until he had more to go on.”
Chief Edwards’ eyes narrowed. “I think Officer Hamilton and I need to have a little discussion right about now.”
Annie looked around the hall and finally spotted Roy on the far side of the room with his back to her. He was talking to Wally Carson. “You didn’t put him in charge of the investigation, did you?”
“No. Is that what he told you? Since I didn’t hear about any other notes, I figured the thing had played itself out. Like I said, the officer and I need to discuss the matter.”
“Do you mind if I go with you? I have a few questions of my own for Officer Hamilton.”
Wally and Roy erupted into laughter as Annie and the chief of police approached them.
“Hey there, Chief.” Wally slapped Edwards on the back. “I tell you, I thought I had some good stories, but Roy beats me all hollow.”
Annie smiled tightly. “Evidently you both enjoy tall tales.”
“No harm in a good fish story, I always say.” Roy’s habitual smile was a little uncertain as he looked from Annie to his chief and back again. “As long as everybody’s amused by it and everything.”