Page 81 of Gem Warfare

“I do not.” Bea bristled but from the turn at the edge of her lips, she was pleased at the suggestion, and trying not to show it. “This is May. She lives next door.”

“I think they’re beautiful. What a sweet gift,” I said.

“It’s not even her birthday,” said May, waving a finger at the bouquet.

“A ‘just because’ is even nicer,” I said.

“The young man brought the cookies too,” added May. “He’s a good-looking young man too. Tell them, Bea.”

Bea rolled her eyes, her quiet pleasure quickly turning to exasperation. “He could teach a lesson or two to the men of your generation,” she said. “Help yourselves, girls. It’s sweet of you to visit.”

“And ours,” snorted May. “Jimmy from Apartment 41 asked if I wanted to have dinner with him on Thursday night.”

“What’s wrong with that?” I wondered.

“He wanted me tobringdinner,” said May. “And then stay the night. What am I? Meals and shenanigans on wheels?”

“It is a mouthful,” said Lily. “I don’t think it will catch on.”

“One of these young ladies might be single,” said May. “Was he single, Bea?”

“They’re both wearing wedding rings,” said Bea.

“They might have friends,” said May. She peered at us. “Or are you married to each other? One can never tell these days.”

“They’re my neighbors’ girls,” said Bea. “Lexi’s mom dropped off the mail and Lily is married to their youngest boy. Was there more? Mail that is? I don’t want to put out your mom.”

“No, no more, we just wanted to ask you a couple of questions about your old neighbor,” I said. “I was speaking to my mom today and she mentioned you were Joe Smithson’s neighbor.”

“Who did you say you were again?” asked Bea, peering at me like she didn’t remember.

“Your neighbors’ girls you said,” said May.

“That’s right. The Graves,” I added. “I’m Lexi. I’m a private investigator. We wanted to ask you about—”

“Mathilda Graves’ daughter?” Bea peered at me now. “Why didn’t you say so before? I heard you were a PI. Not quite a detective but good enough.”

“I d—” I started.

“I remember you. Oh!” She gasped. “Oh! Yes, I do remember you! I caught you making out with the boy in the baseball jersey on my front lawn.”

“That was my sister,” I lied quickly. Well, maybe it was a lie. I couldn’t remember any boy in a baseball jersey.

“No, wait; it was two boys.”

“Definitely my sister,” I said and paled as Lily turned big eyes on me.

“I had to chase your sister and those boys off my lawn with a hose!”

That night was becoming a lot clearer to me now. “We got her all straightened out,” I said. “Very disappointing behavior.”

Lily made a choked sound and clapped her hand over her mouth.

“A family disgrace,” I continued. “Now she’s a model citizen.”

“I remember. She was always climbing out the window and those brothers of yours too, always running off somewhere, up to mischief. You must have been the clever one who always had her nose stuck in a book.” Bea looked me up and down then fisted popcorn into her mouth. “You’re not as boring as I remember. Probably what with you being a PI now.”

“Er… thanks?”

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