Page 64 of A Spot of Tea
“We don’t need any help from you,” Patty said with a nod. “Thank you. Goodbye.”
The lady agent put her hands on her hips. One of her hands rested near a handgun hanging in a holster. “I need to use the bathroom before I go.”
“Of course, go ahead,” Sheila said before Patty could say no.
Mackenzie leapt forward. “I’ll show you where it is.”
Patty stood, arms crossed, staring down the other agent.
He walked to the counter, eyeing their display of tea sets and loose-leaf tea. “You have a lovely shop.”
“I know.” Patty lifted her chin, her stare unbroken.
“May I?” He picked up a tin of tea from the front counter. “I’d love this for my mom.”
Patty narrowed her eyes. “All right.”
She walked to the register and he handed her a fifty dollar bill.
“You expect me to break this for you?” Patty sighed.
He flashed a half smile. “I’m sorry. It’s all I’ve got.”
She let out another sigh, rung him up, and handed him his change.
“I don’t need a bag.” He winked at her. “Have a nice day.”
The lady agent returned a moment later, walking past her partner without stopping. “Let’s go.”
He nodded goodbye, and the two of them left through the front door. Patty watched through the window as they got into their car and drove off. She locked the front door and turned back to face Sheila and Mackenzie.
“Patty! Why were you so rude to them?” Sheila said.
“Because they were looking for our Eliza! And not for a good reason.”
“You don’t know that. Maybe there was a development in the case.”
“I am no stranger to law enforcement. Chief Hank is one of my favorite people on the island. But that wasnota friendly visit,” Patty said firmly. She picked up the lovely teacup set and gently nestled it back into its box. Today was not the day for lovely things.
“She didn’t use the bathroom,” Mackenzie said. “She went in, flushed, and walked right back out.”
Sheila tilted her head to the side. “You were watching her? What has gotten into you two?”
Mackenzie nodded. “That was Stacy. She’s the agent who was mean to Eliza.”
“Oh.Oh.” Sheila’s lips hardened into a line. “I’m glad you were rude to her, then.”
“She was looking for something,” Mackenzie said. “A bag.”
“What bag?” Patty asked.
Mackenzie bit her lip. “You’re both going to be…unhappy with me.”
“Mack, honey,” Sheila said, “if something is going on, you need to tell us.”
She pulled out a chair, scraping it against the hardwood floor. “Long story short, we think Joey robbed the bank and that Stacy is in on it. They’re dating, maybe. And he hid a bag with the robbery disguise and a bunch of money in the bathroom last night.”
“What!” Sheila shouted. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
