Free For Love of Livvy by J. M. Griffin Page A

off the floor when I found a few stones Marcus and I had missed the night before. An empty envelope sat nearby and I folded the stones into it and set it on the dresser.
    I stripped the bed, changed the sheets and remade it. The room looked fairly decent by the time I finished and I turned again toward the trunk contents. The job was compounded by the fact that what had been in order was no longer and I had to start again from scratch.
    My annoyance at the intruder was on a steady incline. I grasped papers from the trunk and with coffee in hand I stepped outside the French doors and sat on the deck to begin the process once more. A light breeze drifted across the shaded yard and I leaned back to enjoy the sweet smelling fresh air. Sheets of papers and letters fluttered from the end table. I held them in place with the coffee cup.
    I strode around the deck in search of a more substantial paperweight. A basket of rocks Livvy had kept, sat in a corner. I'd painted them as a kid and she'd never gotten rid of them. My throat constricted with emotion at the thought of it. Picking one from the basket, I plunked it on top of the papers. A heavy sigh rolled from my chest while I studied Livvy's documents again.
    So far, not one thing indicated she'd had any private concerns or deals with jewels. This bothered me since I didn't know what exactly to look for. I only hoped my gut would tell me when I came across it.
    Movement on the deck above roused me from these pensive thoughts. I glanced up and saw a handsome face tower above with a flashing smile. The upper deck was shorter in width than mine and it gave Aaron a perfect view. I'd have to remember that fact when I wanted to sit out in next to nothing. I smiled back and asked how things were going.
    "Nearly done for the moment. The furniture will arrive on Thursday. Does that fit in with the rug delivery?"
    "Yes, they'll be here tomorrow afternoon."
    He nodded and went inside. I could hear the back door close. His truck started up and rolled away. It would be a challenge to have him upstairs, but maybe safer for me. The bravado I'd exhibited with Marcus had been external only and I wasn't prepared for an intruder. True, I could give anyone a tussle, but did I really want to?
    I took the bundle of papers inside and dropped them on the bedside table. Unable to concentrate, maybe some exercise would get the cobwebs out of my brain. While it isn't one of my favorite pastimes, it's necessary all the same. I run a couple times a week and go to the local gym in between. I figure an hour out of my day is no big deal.
    The door lock clicked behind me. I attached the keys to a belt loop before I headed west across the meager horseshoe dam over the reservoir. Past state police headquarters toward the high school, I'd nearly finished my route and returned to the village when I slowed to a walk. Sweat trickled down my body and the cobwebs were all but gone, though nothing else had taken their place.
    A bright blue Mini Cooper, sporting two wide white stripes, slowed as I crossed the horseshoe dam near the fire station. With a sideways glance, I turned and smiled while Lola Trapezi slid the side window down. Her car idled across the road from me as I walked.
    "I hear you had the bomb geeks at your house the other night. What was that about and why wasn't I informed?” She smiled the famous Julia Roberts smile and eased toward the curb onto the fire station launch pad. I call it a launch pad because every time there's an emergency, these guys seem to take off at warp speed.
    The car was small and I towered above it. Lola craned her neck to look up, cut the motor and stepped out to lean against the door. A petite, five foot or so woman, Lola had small bones and sweet features. Her oval face held a load of freckles while rich auburn hair flew in all directions. She was Italian by birth, but somewhere there'd been an Irishman in the mix. Deep chocolate eyes regarded me as I stood facing her. I wiped