Euphoria Lane by Tina Swayzee McCright Read Free Book Online

“I see the fines that go out each and every month. There is no one is this community who is immune.”
    “I know something you don’t know.” Meg grinned with delight. “There are a few board members who break the rules on a regular basis and don’t receive fines.”
    He shook his head. “I walk the property weekly, and I have never seen a board member breaking the rules.”
    Meg snorted.
    “Let me guess,” Andi said, “you walk the property at the same time every week.”
    He thought for a moment. “Close to the same time.”
    “Except for today,” Meg announced. “You said you were checking on the irrigation.”
    “I received a complaint regarding the pond.”
    “And now you are going to receive ours.” Meg held up the camera. “Mr. Property Manager, Valerie is breaking the rules as we speak. Follow me.”
    Luke’s gut churned with a feeling of impending doom.
    Andi smiled like a Cheshire cat. “This is a no-win situation for Harry. He can’t order Luke to take the violation letter out of her file because it will prove he is singling out neighbors. If Harry doesn’t make the violation letter go away, Valerie will chew him up and spit him out.”
    “That’s an understatement.” Meg quickened her pace over the sidewalk that ran between the buildings leading from the mailboxes to the pool. “She always gets what she wants, even if it means throwing a tantrum. I’ve heard screech owls make less noise.”
    Unleashing Hurricane Valerie would upgrade Tornado Harry to a 5.0 storm level. Luke jogged to catch up. Part of him wanted to urge them to reconsider their plan, but they had every right to prove the board was breaking the rules they, too, were required to follow. Luke blew out an exasperated breath. Maybe he could buy a florist shop after his boss fired him.
    “Where are we going?” he asked, afraid of the answer. Being a creature of habit, he surveyed the surrounding area. The grass had been mowed that morning, the bushes pruned the previous week. The landscaping company they hired during winter made a point to live up to their promises.  
    “It’s four o’clock,” Meg shot over her shoulder. “Valerie’s giving water aerobics lessons to the older ladies in the pool. They call themselves the Water Guppies.”
    “Is she wearing cut-offs or diving into the shallow end?” he asked.
    “Even better. Wait till you see this.” Meg kept up the quick pace, and Andi followed close behind.
    Luke calmly walked in their wake. His wide stride covered more ground than their smaller ones. He could already see the tall wooden fence intended to keep small children and trespassers away from the pool water.
    Meg tiptoed as she grew closer, her face lit with excitement.
    Andi glanced his way and shrugged.
    Refrains from “Love Will Keep Us Together” grew louder with each yard they covered. The aroma of chlorine and freshly cut grass rose and combined in Luke’s nostrils.
    When they reached the corner of the fence surrounding the pool, Meg sat and handed Andi her camera. “Take a look.”
    Andi peered through the slits in the fence.
    Luke chose an area away from the two junior detectives. While he didn’t approve of their plan, he had no intention of outing them either. Following Andi’s lead, he peered through the slits as well. A group of women with their backs to him jumped up and down in the water. Many wore neon pink bathing suits that drew attention to their aging bodies. The purple flowers on their bathing caps swayed to the music and waves of water splashed over the sides onto the cool decking. The music slowed, and the women bobbed.
    Valerie stood in the shallow end, facing them. The string bikini she wore barely contained her figure. “Great job, ladies! It’s time to cool down, but keep moving. Right foot, kick. Take a sip.” With great flare, she brought a crystal glass filled with a red concoction to her lips. She swallowed and continued. “Left foot, kick. Take a sip.”
    The other