Page 126 of You'll Be Sorry

Theo grinned at his wife. Raquel smiled in return.

On that note, Mandy rose to standing. “Need anything, you know where to find me.”

Theo followed her out. On the front porch, he paused. “So that’s that? All of this, it’s officially over?”

“Almost,” Mandy said, then headed for her next stop.

Isla McLean’s ramshackle cabin was as tiny and overheated as Mandy remembered. The woman greeted her with a single nod, then retired immediately to her chair, piling on her collection of moth-eaten tartans while Mandy stood awkwardly in place. Lovey III thumped her tail in greeting. Mandy gave the old dog a pat, then placed a treat within easy reach.

Who knew dog cookies would become her department’s fastest growing expense.

Isla looked tired these days, less an ageless witch, more an exhausted mere mortal. She’d had a rough few weeks and still faced multiple criminal charges related to concealing the murders, tampering with evidence, et cetera. Given the woman’s age and extenuating circumstances, the various jurisdictions involved didn’t seem eager to prosecute, especially as they currently had Mason Carhart and Austin Dekes as trophies.

Mandy didn’t know if this conversation would help or hurt with Isla’s current situation. Mandy spun her hat in her hands.

“How’s the supply of firewood?”

“Good.”

“Got the basket of teas, I see. And Lydia’s cookies?”

“Just say what you’re going to say. Beating around the bush doesn’t change the space-time continuum, regardless of what you think.”

Mandy had to smile. “As pleasant as always.”

Isla shrugged, regarding her intently.

“You know what pisses off Mason the most?”

“Getting caught?”

“Not finding the damn treasure. The infamous Continental currency he’s convinced still exists.”

Isla remained silent.

“I got to thinking, he’s not the only one around who knew that legend—”

“Plenty of townsfolk know the story.”

“You know it. You mentioned it yourself. But it wasn’t part of Rita Light’s diary.”

Isla shrugged.

“McLeans,” Mandy stated. “Even back then, the town thieves. Seems to me, commandeering a shipment of currency would be right up their alley. Say sneaking up to a military convoy in the middle of the night, grabbing the goods, and running.”

“They probably took a horse or two as well. And any whiskey they could get their hands on.”

“’Course, there’d be hell to pay. Stealing from their fellow patriots? I’m guessing that’s the kind of thing that would get a man hanged for sure. Meaning they’d need to hide the goods. If they had a sense of humor, maybe someplace on their neighbor’s property, where it wouldn’t be traced back to them.”

“McLeans have always been a clever sort. Sometimes too clever.”

Mandy nodded. “I can see that. Hiding evidence of their evildoing in a cave already being used for evildoing.”

Isla didn’t answer.

“I would dare say,” Mandy continued after a moment, “given all your reading and roaming, that you’re the single best authority on this town’s history, let alone these mountains’ geography. Much to Mason’s chagrin, I’m sure.”

Silence.