Free Wish Upon a Christmas Star by Darlene Gardner

“I was just trying to get your
attention.”
    “You didn’t hear me talking to myself, did you?” She was cute
rather than pretty, with a round face and freckles sprinkled across her nose.
“You did, didn’t you? That is so embarrassing.”
    “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Maria had taken an
instant liking to the girl. She searched for something reassuring to say. “We’re
all apprehensive about something.”
    “It’s more of a some one than a
some thing. Alex Suarez just hired me. I’ve only
had a crush on him for, like, two years.” She stopped abruptly, shrugging. “You
must think I’m some kind of nut job. We’re strangers and I’m prattling on like
I’ve known you all my life.”
    “Don’t worry about it.” Maria couldn’t remember the last time
she’d met somebody who was so open and honest. “Sometimes it helps to get
another person’s perspective.”
    “You really think so? Because even if it hadn’t been Alex who
hired me, I’d still have a challenge in front of me. I’m not sure I can...” She
trailed off in midsentence and thumped her forehead. “I’m sorry. TMI. Too much
information. I’m just going on and on. I haven’t even asked why you stopped
me.”
    “I was on my way to see Carl Dexter,” Maria said. “I saw you
coming out of his office.”
    “Oh, no!” She gasped and covered her mouth. “I knew I shouldn’t
have told you all that. Now you’ll never hire us.”
    Maria smiled despite everything that was on her mind. “I’m not
a client. I’m in the same business as you are. I was hoping Carl could give me
some advice on a case while I’m in town.”
    The girl’s eyes widened. “You’re a private investigator?”
    “All the way from the great state of Kentucky,” Maria said. “My
name’s Maria DiMarco.”
    “I’m Kayla Fryburger.” She made a face. “It’s an awful name,
isn’t it? Kids used to tease me about it, growing up. For a while I was even a
vegetarian.”
    “It’s not so bad,” Maria said.
    “Listen to me. You don’t want to hear about my name. You want
to know about Uncle Carl. Sorry to tell you this, but he’s in Chicago until
after Christmas.”
    Maria felt herself deflate, like a balloon with a slow leak.
Now what? She’d been under the impression Carl ran a one-man show like she did,
but she should have put two and two together.
    “I don’t normally tell people I’m Carl’s niece...” Kayla
paused. “He left me in charge while he’s gone. He must have thought I wouldn’t
have anything to do. Wouldn’t you know it? I’ve got a case.”
    “Good for you,” Maria said.
    “It would seem so, right?” Kayla said. “Too bad I’m not real
sure how to proceed. I was going to call Uncle Carl for advice, but if I don’t
find a way to impress him it’ll be curtains for me. He took me on for eight
weeks on a trial basis. Six of them are already up.”
    A picture of an inexperienced investigator who was in over her
head was starting to crystallize.
    “You’ll be fine if you use common sense and work on being
patient and disciplined,” Maria said. “The best trait is being a good
listener.”
    “That’s great advice.” Kayla touched Maria’s upper arm, her
eyes shining. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Maybe I can help you. In exchange, you can
give me some guidance.”
    Under normal circumstances, Maria would be sympathetic. She
couldn’t lose sight of her goal, though, and that was finding out whether her
brother was in Key West.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t see how something like that
would work.”
    Kayla’s expressive face fell. “Oh, well. It was worth a shot. I
know I’m not real good at being a P.I. yet but I think I can get there. And I’d
do just about anything to avoid making bottle art.”
    “Bottle art,” Maria repeated. “What’s that?”
    “My mom and I recycle glass bottles into various products. Wind
chimes. Glassware. Jewelry.” A tired look came over her face.