Free Traci Tyne Hilton - Mitzi Neuhaus 03 - Buyer's Remorse by Traci Tyne Hilton Page B

out, gripping the steering wheel.
    “She picked this house because the day light basement made a perfect sewing studio. She hated everything else about it, even the color. Did you know I’ve sold thousands of houses over the years? If someone lives in Southeast Portland , it is very likely that I’ve been inside their house at least once. And if someone strikes me as familiar, it is probably because they were a client once. I can’t believe I totally forgot who Alice McNinch was. But I helped her buy her house during the bubble. Those were crazy days.”
    “Yeah. And this is the wrong side of town for you. Are you really saying Alice was a client?”
    “Yes. I am. Now I’m wishing I had called first. But we’re here so we might as well just go up and do it.”
    “Are you sure you’ve pulled yourself together?”
    Mitzy took a deep breath. “Nope. Not at all. But I think it will be fine.”
    Alice answered the door with a mouth full of straight pins and a headband with a built in pincushion. As Mitzy said hello Alice patted her head frantically looking for the cushion. She found it, waved them in and began to poke the pins into her hair. She had on a leather apron and Tom’s wrap shoes.
    “Mitzy!” she said finally, when her mouth was free.
    “Hi Alice ! It is so good to see you again.”
    “And you. But, I have to ask…no wait, first please come inside and I’ll make tea. Then tell me what brings you here. I promise I pay all my bills.”
    Mitzy laughed, “You’d better. You put enough money down on this place. It looks like the studio is working. I was just at Neveah’s Wardrobe and saw all of your beautiful work.”
    A smile lit up Alice ’s freckled face, “Thank you so much. They carry my goth wear right now.” She led the ladies into the kitchen and put the kettle on for tea. Her smile slowly slipped away. “But did you hear about the murder? The girl from Neveah’s?”
    “Yes, actually. That’s why we’re here.” Mitzy watched Alice ’s face carefully. Her little nose started to turn red and the corners of her mouth wavered from her cheerful smile.
    “I still can’t believe she’s gone. I had wanted to talk to her so bad after the fight. I just felt awful not taking her side.” The words poured out of Alice as her face crumpled into a cry.
    “Slow down,” Joan said in a motherly tone. “Take your time. We’re not going anywhere.”
    “Did you guys get in a fight?” Mitzy asked. “I am so sorry. Having that on your conscience must be awful.”
    “I didn’t have a fight with her,” Alice said. She closed her eyes for just a moment and took a deep breath. “I was delivering product to Neveah’s just after closing time, and Fiona and Lara were in the middle of something. Fiona was in tears so I wanted to calm everyone down. I thought if they would calm down, they could talk it out.”
    “What was Lara doing?” Mitzy asked.
    “She was yelling. When I walked in she was saying something like ‘that’s not good enough anymore.’ Lara is always—sorry, she was always so direct. She didn’t mince words. Fiona is very sensitive. It doesn’t really matter who was right or wrong. Lara was just more equipped in an argument. Anyway, I tried to calm them down and then David came in.” Alice stopped and put a hand over her eyes.
    “What did David do?” Mitzy leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone.
    “David slapped Lara right across the face.” Alice waved her hand in front of her reddening face. She picked up a tea towel and held it under her eyes for a moment.
    “Then what happened?”
    “Lara lit into David with some choice words: really horrid names and just filthy language. I’d never heard her go off like that before. Fiona started to wail and just turned around and went to her office. I grabbed Lara by the shoulder and begged her to calm down and talk sense.”
    “Did it help?” Mitzy asked.
    “No, not at all. David told me to mind my own business. Then Fiona