Diane Greenwood Muir - Bellingwood 05 - Life Between the Lines by Diane Greenwood Muir Read Free Book Online Page B

last night.”
    “Why did he give this to you?”
    “I don’t know, Aaron. He told me that it was only for me and that I was supposed to find him.”
    “Find who?”
    “I don’t know that either. I haven’t had time to go through the files.”
    “You’re just going to give it to me? No argument?”
    Polly was shocked. “Why would I argue with you? I want you to find out who killed him.”
    “You’re sure you don’t want to figure it out?” he teased her.
    “If I do figure it out, that would be pretty cool, wouldn’t it?”
    “Not the way you do things. Your luck, the murderer will show up and try to hurt you and I’ll have to rescue you. I’d like to tell you to just let me do my job and keep your nose out of things, but I’d be making noise into the wind, wouldn’t I?”
    “Maybe?” she laughed.
    “Polly, you give me a headache.”
    “I don’t do it on purpose. It’s not like I ask these people to die around me. I keep insisting that it’s not my fault and no one seems to listen.”
    “Lydia and I will stop by after church. With this vandalism episode, she isn’t going to rest until she’s wrapped her arms around you at least once.”
    “We’re washing down the front of the building this morning. Hopefully it will be clean by the time you get here.”
    “What does Henry have to say about all of this?” Aaron asked.
    “Excuse me?” she said.
    “Lydia would probably swat me for that question, wouldn’t she? I’ll ask again in a different way. Is Henry helping you clean this up?”
    “Not exactly,” Polly laughed. “He’s still in Michigan.”
    “That’s right. That has to be frustrating for him.”
    “I think it is. But not in that ‘caveman gotta protect his woman’ way, though.”
    “Oh. No. He would never act like that,” Aaron laughed.
    “Not if he wants to live through the next week,” she responded. “He’s smart and doesn’t treat me like I’m going to break just because I’m a girl.”
    “He is smart,” Aaron replied. “And one of the smartest things he did was corral you. You’re good for him, Polly.”
    “Thanks, Aaron.” This was the longest conversation she’d ever had with Aaron about something other than a dead body. His wife was one of her best friends, but Aaron usually let the two of them chatter while he remained quiet, observing and rarely commenting.
    “I’ll see you later. If you still need help with cleanup, you know I’ll be there.”
    “I think we’ll be fine, but thanks.” She watched as Jimmy Rio and Sam Terhune drove into the parking lot. Jimmy parked his truck and they got out.
    “Good-bye, Polly.”
    “Bye, Aaron. Hug your wife for me.”
    She hung up and when she got outside, said, “Hi guys. Thanks for helping today.”
    “This is really something!” Jimmy said, “When Henry called, I couldn’t believe it. Who would do this to you?”
    “I’ve got nothing.” Polly shook her head and rolled her eyes.
    Eliseo came around the corner of the building.
    “Hi Jimmy. Hi Sam,” he said.
    “We’ve got two power washers and some hose here. Where do you want us to hook up?”
    “Follow me,” He strode toward the garage and they followed him, the end of a hose trailing behind them. Doug drove in with Polly’s truck and parked. He and Billy jumped out, unloaded a ladder, then went back to pull more hose and another washer out of the bed of the truck.
    “Do you think your water pressure can handle this?” Doug asked.
    Polly shrugged. She had no idea. “Ask Eliseo,” she said.
    He was coming back, carrying one end of a ladder. “We’ll be fine. We’re going to run one from the kitchen and then one from the other side of the building.”
    “But,” Polly interrupted.
    “No, I’ve got it,” he said. “Don’t worry.”
    “Okay. What can I do?”
    “Really?” he asked.
    “Really. I need to do something or I’ll go out of my mind.”
    “You’re going to get wet.”
    “Then I’ll get wet. It’s going to be 82