Page 116 of A Forgotten Mistake

“If it does, let’s go on a mini vacation to celebrate.”

“Of course. Where do you want to go? Italy? London? Tokyo?”

“What part of any of that is mini?” he asks.

“The amount of clothes you’re going to have on?”

“Ah… right. Of course. I’m definitely going strutting through the streets of London in my thong.”

“Sounds magical. You say the word and I’ll whisk you off to wherever you want to go,” I assure him. “I’ll sell my diner to buy you anything you want. If it wins the award, it’ll be worth more.”

“You almost missed that turn because you were too busy coming up with ways to blow money on me!”

“Says the man who blew money on a portrait of your cat dressed up like a Victorian queen.”

“It’s cute! You can’t tell me you don’t think it’s cute.”

“You’re cute,” I say.

“No! The painting is so cute. I love it so much. Looks like it’s the third house up here. When we get done, you’re going to beg for forgiveness after being so cruel.”

“What if I buy you another horrific cat portrait? Will that make up for it?” I ask as I turn into the driveway.

Just as we pull in, I see a woman in her early forties standing in the side doorway.

“Perfect timing,” Gabriel says as the woman sees us. She slips back inside but doesn’t get too far because Gabriel is out of the car so quickly. He’s already smiling, which should immediately woo her into believing we’re both decent people. He really does do such a good job dealing with people so I don’t have to. “Good evening. Sorry to bother you. We’re from the Timber Police Department. I’m Detective Hyde and this is Detective Paige. Is Anthony home? We’d like a quick word with him.”

“Oh… he’s not. Did something happen?” she asks, sounding nervous. “Is Anthony okay? Wait… sorry, that’s a silly question when you’re the one asking to see him.”

“Nothing concerning. We just had a few questions and were hoping to speak with him. You are?”

“Marissa,” she says.

“Relation to Anthony?”

“Oh! Sorry. I’m his girlfriend.”

“Do you know when he’ll be home?”

“He’s gone for the weekend. I’m only here to take care of his dog,” she says as she holds up a leash. “We just came in. I just finished checking on her and am heading on my way.”

“Do you mind if we come in for a moment?” Gabriel asks.

Marissa hesitates. “Well… Um… I mean, I would but it’s not my house.”

“Oh, he won’t mind,” I say as I let myself in. As long as Michaels isn’t looking, it’s fully legal in my eyes.

She shrugs. “I guess come on in.”

We follow her inside as the dog, an older lab whose muzzle is turning white, comes over to greet us. Its eyes are cloudy, but it wags its tail when it sees us.

“Don’t mind her, she’s just nosy,” she says. “You had some questions?”

“We do. How long have you two been dating?”

“Oh, not very long. A month? But we’ve known each other for a bit, about four months.”

“Were you with Anthony last night?” Gabriel asks.

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