Acoustics and Alibis by Dan DeKoning

Author:Dan DeKoning
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cozy Mystery, Singer, Songwriter, Country Music, New Mexico
Publisher: Dan DeKoning
Published: 2024-03-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

We took the short walk over to the flower shop and found the door locked and the closed sign in the window. It didn’t surprise me as it looked like most of Main Street seemed deserted. It appeared the few businesses that opened on a Sunday wouldn’t open until late morning.

I knocked on the door a few times and peered through the window. All I saw were plants, no humans. “I guess it’s a strikeout. Do you know where Hanson lives?”

“On the west side of town, on the other side of the tracks,” Sam said.

“Every time someone says that phrase, I wonder which side of the tracks is the good side,” I said.

Sam smiled. “This is Quincey. Both sides of the tracks are fine. We consider the west side of the tracks the newer part of town because the homes over there are less than fifty years old. He moved out there when his parents moved out of town.”

“Do you have a number for him? I’d really like to talk to him again, and I’d like you to be there. He wasn’t exactly warm to me last night.”

“Yeah, he can run hot or cold based on his mood, and if he gets into his defensive posture, he tucks his head into his shell like a turtle. It’s just the way he is. I’m sure he’ll come around.”

“So, you have his number?”

Sam patted me on the shoulder. “Of course. I’ve got it in my address book at home. Speaking of home, do you mind if we call him a little later? I didn’t sleep last night, and I’d really love to take a nap.”

I would’ve preferred not to wait, but it was Sam under the spotlight, not me. If she needed a nap, I’d let her have one since I’d rather have a sharp Sam than a sleep deprived one. I looked at her and recognized she had bags under her eyes, and she looked exhausted. “Sure thing. Take all the time you need.”

“I only need an hour or two. Will you be on your bus?”

“Yes. I don’t plan on heading anywhere without you, so I’ll wait for you there. I’m sure after a nap and a long shower, you’ll feel a lot more alive.”

Sam and I parted company, and I watched her disappear behind the door. I stepped around the side of the building and headed toward the bus. The lawn chairs were set up, so I assumed Bozeman had to be awake and about. As I got closer to the bus, I noticed that Waylon and Willie were out, and one or both of them had tipped over their bowl and were busy eating their snacks from the ground. They detected my approach, and both stopped, sat up, and looked in my direction. When they saw it was me, they returned to their feast. When I got to them, I bent over to pick up the bowl and Willie skittered over to me. I scratched his head and accepted the chunk of apple he held up to me.

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