Apples, Appaloosa and Alibis by Maria Swan (feel good novels TXT) 📕

always dresses like that man on TV they say is the most interesting man or something.”

“Hey, kid, are you trying to set me up?”

“Why not? The widow across the street got Bob Clarke with her silly animal-print getups and all that perfume...”

We were coming around the corner and saw Bob Clarke getting out of his car parked in front of the widow’s house. Talk about timing. He must have noticed us, because he crossed the street. I guess Dior is hard to miss even if he blends well with the early evening dusk.

“Hello, ladies, glad to run into you. There have been some new developments. Make sure to watch the news. Unfortunately nothing good. The Medical Examiner has determined that the body in the burned car is that of Lois Thomas. I’m sorry. I know you both liked her. No cause of death yet, but they released her identity to the media hoping someone can provide us information.

“And if that’s not sad enough, the criminal who attacked Monica twice may get out of jail. They are charging him with the attacks and vehicle theft. But until they can come up with something else, if he can post bond, he’s out.”

If an asteroid had fallen on my head, I wouldn’t have felt so hit by the latest turn of events. Rogelio Avondo back on the streets of Phoenix? We all knew that old saying: Third time is the charm. He had already assaulted me with a knife twice.

Brenda didn’t waste any time. “Monica, you need to stay at my place until that man is locked up for good. Don’t you agree, Bob?”

Poor Bob looked at me and at Brenda, petted Dior between the ears, then sighed and said, “You two will work it out; I’m sure.” He turned on his heel and headed to the widow’s house.

“That’s it,” I said. “Let’s pick what you’ll wear to the inspection tomorrow. Maybe you should do your nails while I do the dishes.”

“Only if you agree to move into my house until this mess is over.”

We stepped into the living room, and I removed Dior’s leash when my cell chimed.

Tristan.

Without a word, I walked out the back door and headed to my house in a hurry.

“Give me a minute.” I sat on my couch in the dark. “Sorry. I was over at Brenda’s. She insists I stay with her until the cops figure out how to keep Avondo locked up. Tristan, how are you? Where are you?” I miss you; I miss you.

He laughed that low soft laugh that always made me feel like he was whispering in my ear. “Much better now. Are you okay?”

“I’m always okay when I can talk to you,” I said.

“Girl, how I miss you. There are times I’m tempted to come get you and drive away with you as fast and as far as possible. Then reality sets in, and I would never want you to be exposed to the kind of disgusting curiosity frenzy that seems to have taken over the whole world. I asked Jessie to drop off the note because there is a group of young people camped around the house, and when either Alexander or I step out, we are followed every step of the way. They keep taking photos or videos and posting them. It’s extremely annoying. But they blatantly ignore Jessie. Go figure.”

“I’m confused. Do you live with Jessie or Alexander?”

“You don’t know? I assumed you did, I heard the home will be used for some big party your office is sponsoring, no?”

“Wait, wait, whose home?”

“Alexander’s of course. Jessie is staying in that Airbnb where we dropped her off. Don’t you remember? She’s living there until she has a steady paycheck. She often uses Uber and maybe that’s why the wanna-be reporters don’t follow her.”

“Either that or the wanna-be reporters are females. That would be an easier explanation.”

Now his laugh was open and joyous, and I felt happy for the first time in so long. “Oh, Fiat, I want to see you.” I heard a catch in his voice.

“So do I. So do I,” I said.

Then I remembered. “Bob Clarke stopped by a little while ago and told us that the burned body in the Kia is... was Lois. It will be on the news tonight. He also said they may have to let Avondo go. That’s why Brenda wants me to stay with her.” I felt like a jerk telling him all that, but I figured it was better coming from me than the news.

“I know, Fiat. Detective Ross is keeping me posted. That’s why I can talk to you on the phone. I know for a fact they have no interest in us. I mean they know that you and I have always behaved properly and have nothing to do with whatever Angelique has been scheming.

“The Escalade has been towed to the police yard where it will literally be searched inch by inch. Detective Ross suggested that tire marks found by the burned Kia may match the Cadillac Escalade. After all, whoever set the Kia on fire had to have a way out of the desert. Right?”

“Right.” A long pause.

“I must see you, to hell with the snoops outside the house. I’m so lost. Tache is all alone down at the ranch, my house... no longer feels like my house and you—I need to be near you, to touch your face, to know you’re real and I haven’t lost you. Do you think we can meet sometime tomorrow at the 40th Street trails? Wait, no. Not where I usually take Tache. If you walk up 38th Street from Shea it dead-ends on the preserve. There is a very low chain-link fence. You can park your car there, and I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll arrange with Alexander to get dropped off, and then I’ll walk to meet you. I doubt those city kids will follow me.”

He waited, and I wanted to say yes with all my soul, but I remembered