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

the sweat off my face with the bottom of my t-shirt.
    "And how are you, Lola?” I laughed. “It was nothing. Somebody left a paper wrapped package on the doorstep and since I'd just audited a bomb class, I got paranoid and overreacted."
    "That's not what I hear, but I'll let it pass. By the way, who's the hunk hanging around the house?"
    "Which one?” My eyebrows shot up. I laughed outright at her incredulous expression.
    "You mean there're two hunks hanging around?"
    "Well yeah, one is a trooper, but he's there on business and the other is my new tenant."
    "Cripes, you get all the luck. Must be those long legs and great body that draws ‘em in.” Pearly teeth glistened in the sunlight. Her tanned skin was to die for and I seemed to be the only one without color.
    Traffic was minimal in the village and I wasn't surprised to see the same people drive back and forth. They slowed down as they passed us, geeking at what we were up to. People were curious about everything going on, especially in a small town like this one.
    Changing positions so she could see, Lola stepped to the back of the car and leaned against the trunk. I sidled up next to her.
    "What are they gawking at, for Chrissake? You been breaking the law or what?” Lola asked.
    "Nah, they're just nosey and like to watch everything going on whenever they can."
    "You're right, so tell me about this tenant."
    "He came by the other day when Lanky Larry and I painted the apartment upstairs. He asked to rent it and I agreed, that's all. Larry says it's time I moved on and he's right."
    She stared at me with all seeing eyes for a moment which made me real uncomfortable. I hedged a bit and then angled back against the trunk of the squat auto.
    "You've done well dealing with Livvy's death and maybe Larry's right, though it's early days yet. Give yourself some time, Vin.” Her serious eyes steadied my chaotic thoughts and I gave her shoulder a squeeze.
    "You always say the right thing, Lola. I wish I had that knack."
    "Well, we do counsel each other when needed, right?” She chuckled.
    We had been friends forever and when either of us had a problem, each would listen in turn. We called it teatime and it was our private joke. I just didn't care to have my brain picked until I was ready. Still too many cobwebs in the attic at the moment.
    "Want something to eat? I can whip up a snack if you're interested.” Anything to change the subject.
    "Sure, why not? I can go to the deli a little later. The staff has everything under control at the moment.” Her laughter tinkled like glass chimes and I envied her petite form and generous nature.
    I folded myself into the car and we drove the short distance to the house. She parked in the side driveway and we went inside by the rear door.
    "What do you want to eat?” I asked with a grin.
    "Got any leftovers from your father?"
    I laughed and shook my head. She knew I always had a goody bag and adored my father's cooking as much as I did. He'd taught us to make some tasty dishes and while I didn't cook much, Lola had absorbed his knowledge. Her well known culinary talent kept customers coming back.
    "Now tell me what's really going on.” She looked right through me and knew there was more.
    While I heated up the chicken, I explained about the jewels, note and Trooper Richmond. I also mentioned how opportune it had been that The Hunk, Aaron Grant, had shown up on my doorstep.
    Now call me suspicious, but curiosity always played a huge part in my life. I enjoyed a mystery, real or written and that's probably why I taught criminalistics. Crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, evidence gathering and such were but a taste of the fare offered in my classes.
    I enjoyed myself immensely as did my students. They were strictly hands on kind of classes with role playing included and touted as the most sought after in the program. I usually had a waiting list of people who wanted in.
    "Do you think this guy upstairs is up to no good or is it