SMALL ISLAND: Cozy Humor Mystery with Cat (Paradise Crime Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Toby Neal
Author:Toby Neal [Neal, Toby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798985706857
Publisher: Neal Enterprises, INC.
Published: 2023-06-29T18:30:00+00:00
20
âThis gentleman specifically asked for you,â Mr. Hanoi said, gesturing to a barrel-chested white guy with a bad comb-over and the red nose of someone who liked his five oâclock gin and tonic a little too much. âRoland Thompkins is the replacement project coordinator for New Ohia.â
I pasted a smile on my face and advanced to shake Thompkinsâs hand, glad I took a moment to scrub the foul-smelling noni pulp off my shoes and hands. âKat Smith, Postmaster.â
âPleased to meet such a lovely lady in a place like this.â Thompkins gave me an icky once-over that made me feel like I needed a shower. âThought I would take a moment to say hello to one of the most important people in Ohia, whoâs right at the hub of our townâs activity.â Thompkins had very shiny veneers, but they didnât make his smile realânor did his damp, doughy handshake.
âIâm just a newbie in this town. The most important folks you need to meet are Opal and Artie Pahinui, next door at the general store. Theyâve been here forever and know everyone,â I said. I was eager to get Opalâs take on Jimmy Chingâs replacement. Maybe the runes would have something to say about this guy.
âIâm moving my things into Jimmyâs former model home in New Ohia. Stop by anytime if you want to know whatâs going on with our project. Folks wonât even miss Jimmy. And . . . Iâll be handling all inquiries with law enforcement. I hear theyâve got some sort of special relationship with you,â Thompkins said.
What had he been told about me? And by whom?
âIâm on a friendly basis with the detectives looking into Mr. Chingâs demise, but no more than anyone in my position.â I accompanied some eyelash-flapping with a deprecating smile.
âWell, speaking of your positionâhow about you sign me up for a mailbox? Iâll take the one Jimmy Ching used.â
Mr. Hanoi guided me to the proper forms, and I went through the process of assigning a post office box to a new customer.
âGood thing youâre taking Mr. Chingâs box,â I said. âBecause we have a waiting list for the others. The bigwigs at New Ohia sure were lucky to get you to replace him so quickly.â More eyelash-flapping. âWhat made a move to a place like Ohia appealing for a man like you?â
âAn opportunity for a quieter life with plenty of time for sunshine, pretty girls, and golf,â Thompkins said, and burped out a guffaw as if heâs said something funny.
Nope, I definitely didnât like Roland Thompkins any more than Iâd liked Jimmy Ching. Eventually, he left, taking a brass post office box key with him. He got into the same big white SUV Jimmy Ching had driven until the day he was killed beside it.
I glanced at Mr. Hanoi. âYou know about Jimmy Ching, that guyâs predecessor, getting whacked, donât you?â
âSure do.â My boss busied himself restocking certified mail forms. âAnd if I were you, Kat, Iâd keep my head down and stay out of trouble.
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