Page 101 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

She laughed. “Bacon?”

Mo barked again at the familiar word.

“He can smell bacon from miles away,” I explained. “And he knows when Ian’s chef is cooking up a bunch of it. That’s when he ditches me and goes with Ian.”

Kelly shook her head, still laughing. “He’s so smart—and such a lovey. I can’t wait for him to meet—” She stopped herself and let out a frustrated sigh. “Your brother and I still can’t agree on a name. He wants Parker?—”

“After Granddad,” I said, nodding. “Danny was really close with him.”

Kelly sighed. “Yep. And I want Brock, after my great-grandfather. He was such a kind, loving soul, but I only have a few memories of him.”

“Name him Michael,” I said.

Kelly frowned. “Who’s Michael?”

“Nobody. That’s the point. He’d have his own name.”

Kelly laughed. “Honestly? That might not be a bad idea.”

Arriving at Willow Mansion, I pulled up to the front entrance, relieved that the mansion was closed today. That meant no visitors—just Edna, who was already waiting outside, the double front doors wide open.

“I need to get out and stretch,” Kelly said, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

Mo barked in agreement.

“Wait until I get around to help you,” I said, quickly jumping out and hurrying to her side. After helping her down, I opened the door for Mo, who immediately sniffed around, taking in his surroundings.

The moment Edna’s eyes landed on Mo, she frowned. “You do know Mo can’t come inside the mansion, right, Pepper?”

“He’ll be perfectly happy moseying around out here,” I assured her.

Kelly wandered inside with Edna, and I started unloading the pieces. None of them were too heavy, though the French walnut armchair gave me more of a struggle than I’d care to admit.

I smiled as I carried in piece after piece, setting them aside while listening to Edna regale Kelly with stories of the mansion’s history. She spoke highly of my Aunt Effie’s impeccable eye for period pieces, how she’d carefully curated them for the mansion, and how their value had increased over the years.

“It’s sad that we don’t have more visitors to the place,” Edna said with a sigh. “And even sadder that our past president left the historical society on shaky financial ground.”

“I didn’t know that,” Kelly said, frowning. “That is a shame.”

“Oh dear, I shouldn’t have mentioned that.” Edna shook her head. “I assumed Pepper had already told you about our financial difficulties. Melvin Waters cared more about his treasure-hunting expeditions than actual preservation. He treated the society like his personal piggy bank, shaking out almost every last cent.”

Kelly’s eyes widened. “Oh my. That must be how he managed to fill his home with so many beautiful antiques, collectibles, and art.”

Edna sniffed. “He was a man who simply could not deny himself anything,” she said with a note of disdain. “Which is probably why he died penniless.”

That made me pause.

How did Edna know Waters had died broke?

“How sad,” Kelly murmured, pressing a hand to her lower back. “Mind if I sit while I wait? My back won’t stop aching today.”

I nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll just grab the last item from the truck.”

As I reached the truck bed, I quickly sent a text to Amy:Did you ever talk to Edna about Waters dying penniless?

Her reply was almost instant:Not a word. What’s going on?

I’ll tell you later.

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