12 Chapter 12

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. Mr. Shore doesn’t like when visitors enter the house when he’s not here.” She paused, scrutinized my looks, and said, “You’re that detective from in town, aren’t you?”

I ignored her question, wiped my brow with the back of my right hand, and said, “When will Mr. Shore return from his trip?”

“I don’t believe that’s any of your business, Mr. Buxfort.”

She butchered my name, even though she knew exactly who I was, which wasn’t at all a surprise to me. West Stockton and its surrounding areas were tiny and people knew other people. Like most, Isabel just happened to live by that rationale.

“You can leave now, sir. Mind your manners and return from where you came.” She scooted me away with a wave of her aged hands and scolded, “Don’t make me call the police on you for trespassing.”

I was a good boy and followed her command. I turned on my heels and walked back to my truck, climbed inside, and returned to my office. 16: Cissy and Marriage