Free Fatal Fixer-Upper by Jennie Bentley Page A

the mat.'
    'Could you tell if anything's missing?'
    I smiled in disbelief. 'You're kidding, right? I've only been here once, for a few minutes; I have no idea what Aunt Inga owned or didn't own. And you've seen the inside of the house; there's no way to know what's there and what isn't, or if something is gone that ought to be there.'
    Wayne nodded. 'I'll see if Graham Rodgers made an inventory. Chances are it's just a case of vandalism, though. Kids or something. Never heard that Miss Morton owned anything anyone would have wanted.'
    'That's what Mr. Rodgers said,' I confirmed. We stood and sat quietly for a few seconds. 'Don't suppose you wanna stay here?' Wayne broke the silence. I shook my head. 'Why don't you get in the car. I'll take you down to Kate's. She'll put you up for the night.'
    'But it's Friday,' I protested weakly. 'The inn must be full.'
    'Shannon's probably spending the night down at the college again, so her room's empty. And Kate would give anyone who needed it the shirt off her back. Don't worry, she'll take care of you.' He held out a hand. I allowed myself to be hauled to my feet and put into the police car.
    . . .
    When we got to the inn, Kate ushered us into her own personal quarters, away from the parlor and front porch, where those of her guests who weren't at dinner were whiling the time away chatting and watching TV. 'You poor thing!' she exclaimed when Wayne had explained what I was doing there and what had happened. 'No wonder you look like something one of the cats dragged in. Here, have a seat. Let me get you a drink. Of course you must stay here tonight. Shannon's never around anyway; she hasn't slept in her bed for three or four days. And you can't stay in that place until you've made sure that nobody can get in again. Wayne . . .'
    Chief Rasmussen nodded. 'I'll send Brandon out in the morning to look around. Probably won't find much, but we'll check it out.' He turned to me. 'Miss Baker—Avery— any idea who might have wanted to break into your aunt's house?'
    I shook my head, wrapping my hands around the cup of sugary hot tea Kate had poured. 'Teenagers? They knew the house was empty and wanted somewhere to hang out? Or someone who thought there might be something of value there, and who got angry when they didn't find anything to steal? She didn't own a computer, or a stereo, or even a TV, and the fridge can't be worth more than twenty-five dollars.'
    'Silver?' Kate suggested. 'Jewelry?'
    'If so, Mr. Rodgers didn't mention it. Or my mother, either.'
    'Unless Miss Morton was a lot better off than anyone knew,' Wayne said, 'I can't imagine anyone in town think ing there was anything in her house worth breaking in for.
    Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to upset you?'
    Wayne's gaze was firm. I shook my head. 'No, of course not. I don't know anybody here. Except you two and Mr. Rodgers.'
    'And Melissa,' Kate reminded me.
    I hid a smile. The temptation to blame the perfect Miss James was almost irresistible, but I couldn't in good conscience sic the chief of police on her just because she reminded me of the girl who had stolen my boyfriend. 'Why would Melissa James break into Aunt Inga's house and smash all her china?'
    Kate shrugged. 'I didn't say she would. But since you asked: maybe because you told her you'd let her sell your house and then you changed your mind?'
    'Don't be silly,' I scoffed. 'She's a professional; she wouldn't do something like that. Would she?'
    Kate and Wayne exchanged glances. 'No way of knowing,' Wayne said. 'Don't know her well. She's from away. Hasn't been here but a few years.'
    Kate added, 'I've heard some stories about her temper, though. From someone with firsthand experience. It wouldn't be the first time she's broken crockery.'
    'Still,' I said, 'I doubt she would have vandalized my house just because she didn't get to sell it. Surely other people must have turned down her offer of representation before.' And I hadn't even really turned it down.