Page 28 of Dragon Detective

“Because she worries about me.”

“I didn’t like the way she suggested something bad could happen here.”

“Still expressing concern,” I said lightly, though I appreciated that he wasn’t going to let anyone off the hook until he’d fully cleared them. “Who else?”

“Grant Murray.”

“He does keep offering to buy the building, but he’s a nice man. And Estadore comes highly recommended. The manager of Creature Cones told me he was able to sell her place in Florida for a hefty profit, and let me tell you, that’s not easy nowadays with all those hurricanes going through. Not only that, but he also sold her home here in Mystic Harbor on the water for such a great price, she had enough to buy a nice condo.”

“I’m not discounting him until I’ve researched him thoroughly. He has a motive. If he can get you to sell, I’m sure he has people with a crane already loaded, eager to raze this place and put in those condos Sylvia mentioned.”

“Who else is on your list?”

“Evelyn Blakemore.”

“She is pretty angry that she didn’t inherit the place. But she’s just one of many of Justin’s grandchildren. As his only surviving child, her aunt inherited it. It went through probate and that took forever. His daughter was very happy to sign by the time that was settled. I’m sure if Evelyn had spoken to her and made her a solid offer, she wouldn’t have put it on the market.”

“Where is his daughter now?”

“She lives in Arizona. She came here for the sale and left the next morning. I haven’t heard from her since.” I tilted my head. “Anyone else on the suspect list?”

He shot me a smile that made my knees quake. “Not yet, but I’ve just gotten started.”

He went out to my backyard, where he said he was going to toss my sofa throw onto one of the wicker chairs. He’d shift into his dragon form, fly to his apartment, dress, pack a few things, and drive his truck over to park in my driveway.

After studying my face for a very long time, he left, and I locked the back door behind him.

Honestly, I peeked. Who wouldn’t take advantage of the chance to see him change into a dragon? And, whoa. I’d barely had time to admire his ass before a huge, gleaming, scaly dragon with spikes down his spine and a wicked tail stood on my patio. His wings snapped out, and he took flight. I watched long after he’d disappeared from view before collecting my throw and locking the back door once more.

Shaking my head about what I’d just seen, I got to work on the toilet, which was an easy enough job once you knew what you were doing.

After I’d finished, I stood back to admire my handiwork. I’d replaced the linoleum floor with ceramic tile that I’d laid and grouted myself, plus I’d added a shower. Each bedroom came with an old clawfoot tub, and I’d kept them since they were ingreat shape. But while people enjoyed taking baths, they also liked the convenience of a shower.

I left the bathroom and went downstairs, realizing two hours had passed and Reylor hadn’t returned.

Was he alright?

I thought of calling, but I didn’t want to pester him. He might be busy looking into my case or handling something at Monsters, PI. With a glass of water in hand, I stepped out to my back patio, where I sat with Max lounging beneath my seat. With a heady sigh, I took in the sway and swirl of the gorgeous ocean beyond the dunes.

Victor passed by, stomping through the sand, and I waved, but my neighbor from a few doors down didn’t appear to see the gesture.

I must’ve dozed, because I woke to footsteps coming in my direction. Max had slunk away somewhere, but he’d be back. My kitty might hide in the bushes and refuse to come out when I called, or hiss when I tried to bring him in after dark, but he never left my yard.

“There you are.” Sylvia strode down the path alongside the building and settled on one of the other wicker chairs, primly placing her clasped hands on her lap. “I meant to ask you something this morning, but I got distracted by Reylor. Such a fine specimen of a man, isn’t he, dear?”

That he was.

I nodded.

“Have you had a chance to look through the things in the attic?” she asked, her gaze traveling to the window on the fourth floor. “Justin had many antiques, and I’ve been dying to get my hands on them.”

She knew the items in the house were part of the sale. I’d carted everything up to the attic, planning to go through it as Irenovated and use things where I thought they’d fit, though so far, I’d only brought things done.

“It’s on my to-do list.” I sipped my water and placed the glass on the table beside my chair.

“I thought you were going to organize everything before you started.”

“I’d planned to.” I’d thought it might be easier if I sorted through ahead of time. Put lamps with other lamps, bureaus together. That sort of thing. “Once I got started on the renovation, I haven’t wanted to take a day off to do something like that.”

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