Page 14 of A Christmas Mystery

“You can cross off these two,” he says at last, pointing toward the third and the eighth name on the list.

“Why is that?”

“You said this person is a fan ofCount of Monte Cristo, right? These two probably never finished a book in their lives.”

Tee snickers at his dry tone, and even I can’t deny the logic of his rationale. I neatly draw lines through the two names.

“See, I told you he’d be helpful. What else do you think?”

Theo shakes his head, his eyes focused down on the page. “I don’t know the others very well.”

I sigh. “Me either.”

“I guess we’ll have to talk to them.”

My shoulders stiffen. “What do you mean?”

“If you want to conduct a thorough investigation, then we’ll have to do some interviews. What do you think I mean?”

“I mean, you’re planning to do them with me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

My mouth drops open. I turn toward Tee, who is visibly trying to refrain from laughing. “Because it’s not your thing. It’s mine.”

“But you’ll do better to have a detached observer to help you sort through the evidence.”

“I’m detached!”

He shakes his head at me, his mouth twitching just slightly.

For some reason, his expression makes me want to smile.

I don’t, of course. That would reward him for his obnoxious behavior.

“I’m capable of solving this mystery on my own,” I say.

“Of course you are, mija,” Tee says comfortingly. “But if he’s willing to help, why shouldn’t he?”

I sigh. If Tee has something in her head, nothing is going to get her to give it up. And I simply don’t have the energy or the will for a fight. “Fine. He can help a little.”

“Good.” Tee starts putting on her coat. “Why don’t you walk her home, Theodore? She walked all this way on her own. That will give you a chance to discuss everything.”

“Tee—”

“Now don’t argue. He’s not busy today, are you?”

“No. I was meeting with a client just now, but I don’t have anything else today.” He’s almost—almost—smiling. He clearly likes Tee.

A lot more than he likes me.

“So there. He’ll walk you home, Maya, and you can go over your list. You only have ten left. You can surely find an answer soon.”

***

AFTER WE SAY GOODBYEto Tee, I stay long enough to pay for our breakfast, and then Theo and I walk out of the restaurant together.

It’s a brisk, sunny morning, and I like the cool, fresh air as I breathe it in. It’s not even nine thirty yet on a Saturday morning in December. Most of the downtown shops and restaurants aren’t open yet, so the streets and sidewalks are mostly empty. The streetlight posts that line the roads are festooned with garlands and snowflakes that light up at night. There are a few new signs and storefronts from the Green Valley I remember, but the scene is still familiar. Pleasant.

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