Page 44 of In the Line of Ire

"It'sonly good during the summer months. I'm glad the girls want to useit while they're here, otherwise it would be a totalwaste."

"Thegirls?"

"Natalie's kids."

"Youdon't have any children of your own?"

"Ihaven't been that lucky. One day, I hope." Hugo paused to openFrench doors that led onto a paved patio. We stepped outside and Ihad to shield my eyes against the sunshine. Two girls were swimminglaps in the pool and we skirted it, aiming for a guesthouse thatwas designed to look like a mini country cottage.

"This isvery pretty."

"My momloves it when she stays here during her visits, otherwise itremains empty. Kind of a waste really." Hugo glanced at me andsmiled. "I bet you're wondering why one man needs such a bighouse."

"Kindof."

"I wasengaged to a woman when I bought it and we planned to make it afamily home but unfortunately, it didn't work out."

"Oneday," I said, repeating his words back to him and he smiled. Heknocked on the door and opened it, calling out forNatalie.

She camethrough the back, a book in her hand. Her hair was swept into aponytail and although she smiled warmly at me, her dark eyesconfirmed she hadn't slept well recently. "Lexi, hi! You met eachother already?"

"I'llleave you two to your privacy," said Hugo.

"No, no,stay. Please," said Natalie. "I want you to know what’s goingon."

Hugohesitated as he hovered at the door. "Are you sure?"

"Yes,please, both of you, come in. I'll make some tea. You probably sawthe girls were swimming in the pool so we can talk privately beforethey come in for dinner." While Natalie began making tea, Hugo andI sat at the breakfast bar that divided the small kitchen from theliving area. All the soft pastel shades made me think that a womanmust have decorated it to look exactly like a life-sized dollhouse.

"This ismy mom's choice of decor," said Hugo circling his hand around theroom. "It was dark and tired when I moved in and she wanted to makeit cheerier for her visits. I was happy to hand over the reins toher at the time."

"Doesshe live very far away?"

"Montreal. I'm Canadian too but I've lived in Montgomery nowfor a long time."

Natalieset two mugs in front of us and pulled out a tall stool beforesitting opposite him. "Did you find out anything more since we lastspoke?" she asked.

"Italked to all the neighbors and no one saw anything suspicious, butthey're very much aware now to be more observant. Well, all exceptthe stoners who live opposite you."

Natalielaughed. "They're just a bunch of lovable idiots," she said. "But Idoubt they'll observe anything but each other."

"Yourimmediate neighbor was home and he told me he sold the house andwas packing to move out."

Shepulled a sad face. "That's a shame. He's such a niceguy."

"Haveany of your neighbors ever behaved strangely towardsyou?"

"No, butI don't really know most of them very well."

"Whatabout your daughters?"

"Notthat they ever mentioned and I’m sure they'd tell me if anyone gotcreepy toward them."

"Wouldthe stoner neighbors possibly do it as a joke?" askedHugo.

"I doubtit. They struggle enough just opening and closing their front door.I don't think they could manage to be subtle," I said and they bothlaughed. "I'm glad to hear that the girls would tell you about anycreeps. Your house looked fine by the way. Nothing was out of theplace, no windows were broken. It doesn't look like anyone's beenthere since you left so far as I could see."

"Now,I'm glad to hear that. I'll probably pick up the mail tomorrow. Idon't want it to pile up in the mailbox."

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