Free Murder for a Rainy Day (Pecan Bayou Book 6) by Teresa Trent

clues?"
    "Baxter Digby."
    "Baxter Digby?" She asked as if it were the last name she expected to hear.
    "I've seen Baxter Digby's car in front of the Super Stay Motel for two days in a row. I stupidly said something to Rocky about it, and maybe there’s nothing going on, you know?"
    "Sure."
    "… And now Rocky is determined to prove that Baxter Digby is having an affair. I can't let him do that. I never should've said anything. Now I feel like I have to prove that Baxter Digby was at the hotel for some other reason."
    "And what reason would that be?" Ruby asked.
    "I don't know, but I thought if he was having an affair you might know who he would be with."
    "Well, I thank you for your faith in me, but believe it or not I don't know everything that goes on in this town. The best thing I can tell you to do is to wait outside the Super Stay and see who is going into that room. Then you'll have your answer. Oh, and when you do find out, come on back here and tell me about it. On the QT of course."
     

     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
     
    "According to these directions, there should be something right here to steady it," I said.
    I sat in the nursery holding the instructions that came with the changing table, which was now partially assembled, but listing to the left. 
    My dad sat underneath the table, armed with a screwdriver and losing his patience. Try as we may, our table looked nothing like the diagram on the instruction sheet.
    "Do these people on the other side of the world not know how to build things, or do they just not know how to explain things?"
    He sat up abruptly, nearly hitting his head.
    "Let me see that damn diagram again."
    I handed my father the folded set of instructions which he rattled open. He adjusted his glasses down to the end of his nose.
    "Hmmm… just what I thought."
    "What's that?"
    "These directions are written for idiots by idiots."
    "Well then I guess we qualify."
    "I'm just going to try to visualize this," he said, putting down the instructions.
    "My daddy put together furniture all the time, and he didn’t need directions in four different languages to do it. Back in those days if you wanted a changing table you went and bought some wood—or even better, you started from scratch and chopped down a tree."
    "That must've been before fiberboard trees were planted."
    "Damn straight." He tried turning the instructions upside down to see if that made more sense.
    "I think I figured it out, Betsy."
    It was great to know that the Pecan Bayou’s master detective had solved the mystery of assembling a mail order changing table. He angled the changing table slightly and stuck some cardboard under it to steady it.
    "Just one more problem."
    "And that is?"
    "We're missing a piece."
    "No! Really? This can't be happening."
    "This is what happens when you order things off the Internet."
    "Is there anything we can do to replace it?" I asked.
    "Sure. Call the manufacturer and have them send you another changing table."
    "Sure and by the time they ship it, the baby will be here." I let out a frustrated sigh.
    "Well then you'll just have to change him or her on the bed until you get this put together. You know you could always drive into the city and buy a changing table. You don't have to order everything off the computer."
    "You're probably right. But I really liked the color of this one. If Leo doesn’t want me driving to camp to pick up the boys, going to Houston is out of the question."
    "Right. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. You don't need to be making any car trips in your condition. Maybe I could do it."
    "Even if you wanted to make a trip for me, you really don't have time either between hurricane prep and the robberies we’re having."
    "You mean the midnight rustler?"
    "Is that what you're calling him?"
    "Not yet, but I’m sure Rocky will come up with a name for the guy. This is the most bizarre thing that ever happened around these parts."
    "Do you have any idea who might be behind it?"