Page 44 of The Reluctant Roommate

“Nothing.” Heidi hunched her shoulders against the cold, wishing she’d worn her beanie. “The FlyInn is closed that day. You?”

“I’m working,” Lula said. “A sweet eight-hour shift with happy people’s Thanksgiving tips. My roommates are cooking dinner. Not a full turkey, a breast or something. We’ve got booze andedibles, and I hope they get dinner happening before they get into those. Do you want to come over?”

Did she? “Thank you, but honestly, I’ll stay home. Watch trashy space opera and have cheese on toast for dinner.”

“If you’re sure. But if you change your mind, let me know. Thanksgiving shouldn’t be grilled cheese.”

“I’ll put mustard in it.”

“Well, that makes all the difference.” Lula nudged her. “What about your uptight roommate?”

“I think she’s going home to New Jersey for a few days. She mentioned it a while back. I’ll have the house to myself, so I can have that schmancy cheese on toast without immediately cleaning up the kitchen.” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Peak living.” Lula nodded. “This is why we’re in Colorado. It’s not the altitude; it’s the grilled cheese.”

Heidi laughed. “I am planning a road trip, though.”

“You are? Where? When? If I’m not working, can I come?”

“If you want. I heard back from the private investigator. He’s found Serena.”

Lula stopped. “And I’m only hearing about this now? This news deserves beer. Where’s the nearest bar around here?”

“We can go to Oscar’s Tavern.” Heidi crossed through the trees to Downing Street. “Come on. It’ll be warmer there.”

Oscar’s had a muted buzz when they pushed open the door. They found a table in the corner and the same server as from Heidi and Morgan’s night out came across. “What can I get you ladies?”

“Two Coronas, please,” Heidi said. She pushed across her credit card.

“Want some wings?” Lula asked.

“Sure. Blue cheese dressing, please.”

“And ranch,” Lula added.

The server left, and Lula leaned across. “So, spill.”

“It took a bit to find her, apparently. Her license was still at the California address, but she wasn’t. Initially, Brandon could find no job, no rental, no voter enrollment. Then she applied for a rental in her name in….”

“Where? Baltimore? Portland? Truth or Consequences New Mexico?”

“That one’s the closest.”

The server brought the beers. Heidi waited until they’d both taken a couple of gulps.

“She’s in Colorado.”

“No fucking way!” Lula’s eyebrows did a little dance. “Does she know you’re here?”

“I don’t think so. But what would she care if she did? She obviously knows there’s nothing I can do to prove she stole my money.”

“Where in Colorado? Aspen, working the ski resorts? Telluride, cleaning chalets? What if she’s in Denver? We could go around tomorrow and beat her door down.”

“Steady on, bruiser. No violence. She’s in Leadville. It’s an old mining town in the mountains about three-and-a-bit hours from Denver. I’m not sure what she’s doing, but she’s rented a house for six months.”

“So, what would Serena be doing?”

“I don’t know. Brandon couldn’t find out anything. She’s worked different jobs—waitressing, bar, admin, and so on.”