Trisha didnt answer. A sob wracked her body, and she bent in half. No, thats the thing. He had never said that. Before, there was always hope. But this was the very, very last time. I could feel it in my bones. I think we both could. We were tired of the back and forth.

Did you talk after you broke up this last time?

She shook her head, her eyes gla.s.sy, staring off into the distance at something I couldnt see. I sort of kept tabs on him through Facebook, you know how girls do, but thats it. The next time I heard from him it was last night when I got a phone call from the police saying that he was dead.

Why would the police call you if you werent dating?

She shrugged. We used to be each others emergency contacts, and I suppose I still was listed somewhere. Plus, its no secret we dated, and its a small town. People around here knew. It wasnt a secret we had issues, either. But it also wasnt a secret that we loved each other despite it all.

My heart twisted in pain for Trisha. Taking a step back and looking at things from an eagle-eye point of view, their story was rather tragic. They had never quite managed to be together, and now the opportunity was gone.

An inexplicable sense of sadness fell over me, and I thought back to Laylas phone call. Maybe I should try harder to find love, be more open to it. Trisha had found it for a brief second, then before she knew it, it was gone.

I have one more question for you, I said softly. And this is private, purely personal.

She sniffed, then nodded. Go ahead.

My friend set me up on a blind date for tonight. Theyve been trying to get me to go out on more and more dates, but Ive been avoiding it.

Youre scared, she said perceptively. I can see it.

I looked down at my empty clipboard. I suppose so.

And you want my advice?

This time, I nodded. Was it worth this pain to have loved Hank and then lost him?

It didnt take her but a second to answer, and when she did, her eyes were crystal clear and her voice was firm. Absolutely. Id do it all over again if it meant I could fall in love with Hank one more time.

Even if it meant youd be hurting now?

Especially then, she said. Id just be better about my priorities. If I could get Hank back today, Id tell him I didnt care about material things. Id throw my whole house away and let him work for free if it meant we could be together.

Thank you. I stood up, my throat clogged with emotion. If I didnt leave soon, I might have to swipe a few tissues, as well. I think I have enough to write a beautiful article about Hank.

No, she said. Thank you. Hank deserves it.

Chapter 11.

Thank goodness I made a habit of keeping my work backed up on the cloud. Somehow, a solid thirty minutes had elapsed while I was inside of Trishas cluttered house. Id meant to only drive by at first, and then once Id pulled up outside, one thing led to another and it was too easy to not go inside. However, that caused a few issues with this pesky lingering deadline that I had on my plate.

Sitting in the car, I finished a quick motivational post called #TackleTuesday. I was forced into coming up with a weekly post for every day of the week in hopes that readers would like the idea and check back daily for updates.

It was a motivational series and included daily topics like #MotivationMonday, #WorkoutWednesday and #FinishStrongFriday. Cue eye roll. But people liked it. And whether it was a habit for the readers or not, they kept coming back, so Anderson kept forcing me to write them.

With a flourish, I came up with some inspiring words, attached a hashtag, and sent it to my editor one minute before it was due. Exhaling a huge sigh of relief, I glanced up one last time at Trishas house. To my surprise, a figure was walking up the path. Apparently, I wasnt Trishas only visitor this morning.

Something about the mans walk was familiar With a start, I sat straight upwards. The Chief! I quickly scanned the area and noticed the telltale cop car parked one block on the other side of Trishas house.

The Chief knocked on the door, his hands behind his back and his gaze fixated on his shoes. I held my breath as Trisha pulled the door open, but I was too far away to get a clear view of her face. Even when I leaned forward and scrunched my eyes until they were the size of raisins I couldnt make out her expression.

My debate lasted only one second about whether or not I should linger in the area, or head to my offices like Id planned. Since Id already beat my most pressing deadline, maybe it wouldnt hurt to hang around for a bit longer.

Sliding out of my car, I took a roundabout way around the block, hiding behind bushes, trees, and fences. Thankfully, most of the houses on the block had plenty of privacy hedges, since the yards were so close together. It was a simple matter to duck behind one of those closest to Trishas house. Voices filtered out through an open window, neither of them speaking above a low murmur.

I muttered to a little bunny staring at me from the corner of the yard. Dont judge me, rabbit. Im just trying to help.

"really sorry about all of this.

That was the Chiefs voice. I shifted a little closer to the open window and accidentally b.u.mped against a potted plant on the ground. I froze, hoping against all hope that neither of them noticed. The Chief hesitated for a second, but he finally continued speaking without looking out the window. I let out my breath slowly, mentally cursing Trishas lawn ornaments.

Me too, Trisha said. I was just telling the woman from the Construction Times this morning"

The Construction Times? The Chief interrupted. Is that a newspaper?

Yes, Trisha said. A lady showed up with a few questions for me. You know, for the article about Hanks death.

Ive never heard of the Construction Times, the Chief said. Can you tell me what this reporter looked like?

Oh, shes not a reporter. Shes really small. Pretty cute actually, wore jeans. I didnt like her at first because it seemed like she was being nosy, but then she opened up at the end. I like her. Why, is there a problem?

Cute and small. Sounds like somebody I know, he said. Dont worry, I just forgot about the Construction Times. Must be new.

Must be.

What did she open up about?

The back of my neck was positively on fire now. I was turning into molten lava right underneath this privacy hedge thanks to embarra.s.sment. I should never have come here, even though I did learn some interesting information. My thoughts ground to a halt as Trisha spoke again, and my embarra.s.sment turned into pure mortification.

The poor thing was asking me about love, she said. I know me and Hank didnt have the perfect relationship, but what we had was real. This poor thing, Im not sure if shes ever been in love.

The Chief remained silent, and I wanted to turn into mud and ooze into the ground, disappearing forever into the depth of Fairyvale.

Anyway, what were you saying about Hank? Trisha asked. You said you had something to tell me about?

Yes, as a matter of fact thats what brought me over here in the first place. The Chief paused. Im wondering if you know anyone who might have had a grudge against your ex.

A grudge? What sort of grudge? Hank was very well liked in the community.

Thats what Ive heard from multiple sources, the Chief said. Which makes the situation all the more confusing.

What situation?

If nothing else, this distraction was helping to turn my mortification to curiosity. I leaned in, listening as hard as I could in my strange, pretzel-like contortion.

The Chief sighed. I hate to say it, but weve got some results that suggest Hank might not have died from natural causes.

What other causes are there? Trishas voice turned a few octaves higher. What are you saying, Chief?

Someone might have intentionally poisoned Hank.

What? Trisha choked out a sob. Who would do that? Hank? My Hank? He wouldnt hurt a fly! He was so honest that he couldnt even bear to overcharge on repairs. He could hardly charge a fair amount.

Which is why this is all very confusing, the Chief said, his voice gentle. I had to give it to him, he handled the situation well. Trisha was obviously torn up over the news, and the Chief was patient and kind.

I listened, uncomfortable both due to my position on the ground and the fact that I was listening in on a conversation that should probably be left private, and debated the pros and cons of slinking away now. However, since any movement might draw eyeb.a.l.l.s towards the window and outside, I decided to wait it out.

Trisha cried for a few minutes, and I imagined the Chief might have patted her on the shoulder or something similar because soon enough, the sobs let up.

I cant think of anything, she said. Like I told that lady, people loved Hank. Hed have worked for free and bothered n.o.body if he couldve fed himself that way.

The Chief cleared his throat. If he didnt have any enemies, then can you think of anything he mightve seen on accident, or any business deals that might have gone south?

No, she said eventually. In fact, he was in between work right now. As far as I know, he had just wrapped up one job yesterday.

Do you know if it was a plumbing job by chance?

No, she said again. The plumbing job was ongoing. Well, I mean, he hadnt completed it yet from what I heard, but that was a few weeks ago. And the only reason I kept up on Hanks jobs was because I used to ask the guy at the gas station that Hank frequented how he was doing. Wed broken up, sure, but I still cared about him.

And so youd ask the attendant about Hank?

She nodded. He didnt have much to say, but thats not surprising. Hank mostly talks about his jobs, since theres not a lot else going on in his life. I was mostly curious if he had another girlfriend or not.

Did he? I could hear the wry note in the Chiefs voice, and I had an all-too-clear flash of last night when the Chief had discovered me on a date. A date with a dead guy. Have a new girlfriend, that is?

Not that I heard about. Like I said, the attendant just mentioned the jobs. I wouldve heard if he had a girlfriend, though. Its a small town; people talk.

I imagine they do, the Chief trailed off. So Hank had just finished one job, and he still had one job left open. He had no enemies, and no real family. I have to say, this is getting stranger and stranger.

You can say that again, Trisha said. Of anyone in this town, I wouldve never guessed that Hank would get in trouble.

The conversation sounded like it was winding down, so I took the opportunity to slide out from my hiding spot while Trisha blew her nose loudly. However, I only made it a few feet before the next question froze me in my tracks.

I hate to ask you this, but its my job, the Chief said. Where were you last night?

I moved away from the house as Trisha hiccupped and spluttered. What are you accusing me of?

Please, I have to ask.

I was home. Alone. You can ask my cat.

She has a cat? I hadnt seen a cat. Id seen every trinket under the sun except a cat.

My stuffed cat, Trisha clarified. Sorry, it was a joke. A bad one. I read a book and went to bed at ten oclock. okay?

Which book?

Trisha nearly shouted. A romance, its still on my nightstand. I can give you the name, but Im not sure itd make a difference. Come upstairs and look, if you like. Unless you read Nora Roberts, you wouldnt know it anyway. Are we done now?

Im sorry, its my job.

Well, I think were done here.

Uh, oh. I froze, halfway in and halfway out of the yard. When I heard footsteps walking away from me, I dove behind a wheelbarrow.

Footsteps resumed, and I didnt trust myself to breathe until I heard the front door open and shut. I remained in a crouch for a few more moments, waiting to see what sort of move Trisha would make.

Just when I was ready to slink away from behind the wheelbarrow, I heard a noise. I paused, my muscles tensed, my ears on high alerts.

The soft sound of crying filtered out across the lawn, long after the Chief had gone.

My heart broke for Trisha, and before I could stop myself, I pushed off from behind the wheelbarrow and jogged to my car, not caring who saw me.

Luckily, I made it to my car"unseen by either Trisha or the Chief, as far as I could tell. I took a moment to catch my breath and let my heart rate steady. All at once, I realized I needed to get away from Trishas because likely, the Chief was on the hunt for me.

The Chief would be wondering why Id been poking around and asking questions for the Construction Times. Instead of going to the office like Id initially planned, I pointed my car in a new direction. Hed probably go there first and ask around, and I had no desire to be there when he arrived.

Time for me to get more information about this mystery date tonight, and the only place to do that, was a little shop Layla called the Witches Britches.

Chapter 12.

Stop poking me there, I said. Cripes, Im not a Barbie.

Yeah, youd need bigger b.o.o.bs, wider hips, and about eight more inches of height, Layla mumbled through a mouthful of pins. But you wouldnt be allowed to gain an ounce of weight even with all those adjustments. Crazy, huh? Barbie is so not realistic.

What is this? I asked, stepping out of the dressing room and looking in the mirror. I dont like it.

You dont like anything I put on you. Layla let out a very, very dramatic sigh. I am the best at my job. Which means the problem is in your head, not mine.

I wiped my sweaty palms against my legs, but instead of fabric over my thighs like thered normally be, there was nothing but skin. Even though the Witches Britches didnt open for another hour technically, I glanced around behind me, making sure no other humans were around. If someone saw me dressed like this, I might die.

Layla had dressed me in some sort of getup that might work for Dominatrix Barbie. It started with my feet, which shed shoved into thigh high boots, and continued to my pelvis region where, instead of my usual, functional bikini-style undies, shed strapped me into some sort of contraption that looked like a mix between a leather bathing suit bottom and a bungee cord. Straps attached from my waist to the tops of my boots, which to me, seemed to defeat the purpose of underwear. I mean, if I couldnt get in or out of it to use the restroom facilities, what was the point?

Layla walked up and smiled, clapping her hands, the sound reverberating through the store.

Nope. I whirled to face her. Why do you think this looks good? Its horrible! And uncomfortable!