Page 7 of You'll Be Sorry

“Chief Grady,” Mandy managed belatedly. “Just wanted to introduce myself in person, see how you were settling in.”

“Grady.” The wife tilted her head. “We know that name…”

“The news articles,” Theo provided. “From, you know, the incident.”

Ah, so that was going to be their euphemism for the missing family of six who mysteriously vanished from this couple’s now homesweet home, leaving behind only a trail of bloody footprints and an enduring mystery.

“Chief Grady,” Raquel murmured in agreement. “But you’re too young…”

“My father.”

“That explains it.” Theo, all good cheer. “Come on in. You’re welcome to check out the place. And us, of course. We seem to have garnered some interest.”

Mandy removed her hat, following them into the yawning interior, and immediately saw their point—the long farmer’s table parked in the dining room was covered with various casseroles, baked goods, and fresh floral bouquets.

“Small pond, new fishes,” Mandy explained, nodding her head in their direction.

She couldn’t help but look around. Last time she’d been inside the house, the interior had been a dark, gloomy space, illuminated only by the glow of her flashlight. It’d been easy to picture violent deeds and unsettled spirits as the beam had swept over dust-covered boards, heavily cobwebbed corners, and debris-littered floor. Mandy made it a point to pick up the omnipresent collection of empty beer cans and pizza boxes every few months. But where there was the promise of danger, the kids would always continue to flock, eating, drinking, and fornicating along the way. She was grateful that the Collinses had purchased the vacant home if only for the reduction in her and her officers’ workload.

Now, she of all people could appreciate the already meticulously buffed and polished great room. The wide-planked floors still had roughly patched holes in places, not to mention several large sections carved out of the drywall to provide the subs access to wires and pipes, but the Collinses hadn’t wasted any time setting the interior to rights.

A richly colored Oriental rug had been positioned in front of thefireplace, topped by an eclectic mix of reclaimed wooden tables, a modern black leather sofa, and what appeared to be 1920s green velvet armchairs. Above the mantel hung a battered steering wheel from a historic whaler.

Because of the shape of the room, Mandy deduced. With the angled walls of glass forming the prow of a ship.

Beside her, Raquel smiled slightly, as if pleased Mandy got the reference.

“Something to drink?” Theo spoke up. “Or, let’s see.” He turned his attention to the loaded table. “Um, we have chocolate chip cookies, what appears to be a carrot cake, some zucchini bread, two jars of homemade jam, and oh, brownies, topped with what I think are chopped-up candy bars. Maybe Heath, Snickers, or Three Musketeers. Maybe all three?”

“You have Mrs. Karlson’s brownies?” Mandy was immediately at attention.

“Older woman?” Raquel inquired.

“That’s half the town.”

“Sharply dressed—smart-looking fuchsia jacket, giant strand of pearls.”

“I will absolutely take a brownie.”

“Stuff of legend?” Theo asked.

“Absolutely. Worth every calorie.” Should she be discussing such things with two physically perfect specimens?

Theo, however, handed out brownies all around. When Raquel took a hearty bite, Mandy warmed to the gorgeous brunette considerably.

“So, rumor is you’re planning on turning this place into a B and B?” Mandy asked through a mouthful of chocolate.

“We’re still exploring options.”

“Great home to start a family.” It was a deliberately leading question, her father’s favorite kind.

Now the husband and wife shared a look Mandy couldn’t quite decipher. A tinge of sadness? A note of apology? Or regret?

They turned toward her as an expressionless unit, clearly not big on personal revelations. Fair enough.

“Please, have a seat.” Raquel led the way to the sofa and chairs. “As you can imagine, we have some questions.”

“About the town?” Playing dumb, another one of her father’s strategies. Mandy already assumed the Collinses’ new community wouldn’t be their main concern. And sure enough: