A High-End Finish by Carlisle Kate

Author:Carlisle, Kate [Carlisle, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Cozy, Mystery & Detective, Home Reno, General, Women Sleuths, Fiction
ISBN: 9780698153899
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2014-11-04T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The sound of ringing dragged me out of an intense, weird dream in which Joyce and Stan Boyer were chasing me around their dank, shadowy basement, waving my own pink wrench at me.

As I fumbled for the phone, I tried to adjust my vision to the total darkness of the living room. Where had the sun gone? “Hello?”

“Ms. Hammer, it’s Chief Jensen.”

Was this part of my weird dream? No, pretty sure I was awake. I shook my head back and forth to restart my brain. “Hello, Chief Jensen.”

“Sounds like I woke you up,” he said. Was it my imagination, or did he sound judgmental? “I’m sorry about that. I heard about your trouble yesterday.”

“You did?” So maybe it was my imagination, after all. “I guess I’m still a little sleepy. I took some aspirin a while ago and fell sound asleep.”

“That’s probably a good thing to do after what you’ve been through.”

I felt my way over to the end table and turned on the lamp. Was he being sympathetic? Should I be worried? “How can I help you, Chief Jensen?”

“I was speaking with Mac Sullivan a little while ago.”

“Yes?” Here it comes, I thought, sinking back onto the couch. I was going to get a lecture on wasting the police department’s time and energy. Robbie and Tiger must’ve sensed my unease, because they both jumped up and cuddled next to me.

“Yes. I’d like to come by your place with two of my officers and dust for fingerprints in your garage. I understand that’s where you keep your bicycle.”

“Oh.” I was shocked, although I probably shouldn’t have been. Mac was pretty darn persuasive, after all. Still, this was Police Chief Jensen, not exactly my number-one fan. “Right now?”

“If it’s convenient.”

I brushed my unruly hair back from my face and checked the clock on the mantel. It was only a few minutes past five. The days were getting shorter, the sun setting earlier. In a few weeks daylight saving time would end and it would be even darker by now. “Sure. That would be fine.”

“Good. We can be there in—”

“Oh, wait.” I pressed my hand to my forehead. “I’m so sorry. I forgot I have to pick up my truck at the shop in a little while. Can we do it tomorrow?”

He paused for a moment, maybe to check his calendar. “Early morning okay for you?”

I tried to think fast, but it wasn’t easy. “Yes, early is better than late. I usually like to leave the house about eight-thirty, but I’ll be happy to stick around for as long as it takes.”

“We’ll be there at eight.” He hesitated, then asked, “Do you need a ride to the auto shop, Ms. Hammer?”

“What?” Was he honestly willing to give me a ride? He was being so nice. Who was this guy? “Um, no. My friend Jane is taking me. But thank you for offering. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Ms. Hammer.”

I sighed. “You should call me Shannon, Chief.”

“I’ll do that,” he said cheerfully.

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