Deadlock (FBI Thriller #24)(32)

“I do indeed. He also had a great sense of humor, I remember. I had a crush on him.”

“Yeah, I did, too. I remember your dad. He was always so nice.”

“Thank you, I’ll pass it along.” Pippa looked down at her watch. Where had the time gone? She heard a man call out June’s name. “I’m keeping you away from your customers. Maybe I could have a tuna salad sandwich, and we can talk when you’re free?”

In short order, Pippa was eating her sandwich while June dealt with customers, smiling and friendly. In free moments, she asked June to tell her about what had happened in the seven years since she’d visited.

Not much, apparently. Pippa mentioned the puzzle store.

June shuddered, then grinned. “That place gives me the creeps. It’s fitting, I guess, since ‘creepy’ is in the name of Maude’s store. I’ve only been in there a couple of times. Now, if you ask me, Maude is on the strange side. She’s too obsessed with snakes and monsters. Wouldn’t that warp your brain?”

Pippa nodded. “She told me she helps people who want to make their own puzzles. I guess you’ve never done that?”

“Goodness, no, and I don’t know of anyone who has. She has a boyfriend, an older gentleman from around Annapolis. Every two weeks she closes her puzzle shop, and the two of them leave St. Lumis for a couple of days. It’s like clockwork. She always puts a sign in the window: Going on a short honeymoon. Where, I asked her once, and she only smiled and shook her head.”

That was interesting. Perhaps she could bring it up casually when she went back to the puzzle shop later in the afternoon. “I visited her puzzle store this morning. You’re right, ‘creepy’ is the perfect word for it.”

“I think Maude Filly’s a hoot, always wearing hippy tie-dye and Birkenstocks, except for Halloween when she turns into Madam Rasputin and wears a turban and flowing robes. But hey, she’s nice and does great business with tourists, especially with their kids. The more gore the better for the kids.”

“Does she talk much about Major Trumbo?”

June shook her head.

“She told me about him when I saw a puzzle with him hanging out of a window of the old Alworth Hotel. I got the impression there’s not much love lost there.”

“Since she and the second Mrs. Trumbo appear to be good friends, I guess not.” June was off to fill coffee cups.

When she was free again, Pippa asked her about Chief Matthew Wilde. “He took Chief Cosby’s place, right?”

June said as she wiped down the counter, “Now, there’s a pleasing hunk of man, been here maybe three years now.” She leaned closer. “Field Sleeman’s youngest daughter, Freddie, is after him now. I think he even went out with her a couple of times, then sheared off. Freddie is her nickname, which her parents hate. She’s maybe twenty-four now, went to school to be an interior designer. And no, I haven’t seen any of her work.”

Pippa’s eyebrow went up. “A bit young for him, isn’t she?”

June shrugged. “Only nine years between them, or thereabouts. In any case, who cares? A hunk’s a hunk.”

Pippa laughed. “True enough. So Chief Wilde decided he wasn’t interested?”

June nodded as she measured coffee into the pot. “Alas for Freddie, she’s not giving up. Would you like a slice of apple pie? Mrs. Hodkins makes them for us, renders our customers mute with pleasure, and gives her extra income.”

“What I’d really like is another one of Mrs. Trumbo’s oatmeal cookies,” Pippa said.

“Aren’t they delicious? Now, there’s a friendly woman, gruff and smiling, all at once. Tells you what to do, then gives you a cookie. She’s always talking about how important family is, but then she never speaks of her own family. I don’t know how many are left.”

“Her husband, Major Trumbo, he died before she bought the Calder Victorian and made it a B&B, right?”

June laughed. “Do you know, I’m not sure. She, Major Trumbo, and her son, Ronald Pomfrey, moved here half a dozen years ago. Mrs. Filly already lived here.” June shrugged. “The two former wives are the best of friends. Go figure. They still like to talk about the infamous Major Trumbo.” A customer called out, and June patted Pippa’s arm and was off.

Why was Major Trumbo infamous? But June was gone. Pippa called after her, “The sandwich was delicious. Thank you, June. I hope to see you again before I leave.”

June sent her a little wave. “Do come back, Pippa.”

It was nearly one o’clock when Pippa stepped onto the sidewalk and breathed in the fresh, clean St. Lumis air. It was chilly now, but tourists were still thick on the ground, eating ice cream, laughing, enjoying themselves. She smiled at everyone she passed and walked toward Whale Head Court and the Sleeman mansion. The house was still mostly colonial, with two stories, painted white with dark green trim. It was set back from the lane on a slight rise, with lots of maples and oaks and pines surrounding the beautifully maintained grounds. It was the only house on Whale Head Court with a big circular driveway. A BMW and a Lexus SUV, both silver, shined bright beneath the afternoon sun. The house was even bigger than she remembered. They’d built an addition that looked like a conservatory, with lots of windows and a lovely green domed roof.

A child’s voice said, “I don’t know you. Why are you staring at my grandma’s house?”