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"I really haven’t thought about it at all," Kelsey said, "but if and when I do, I’ll certainly let Mr Richter know"

Kelsey thought about Lilly’s words as she left the office Property in Key West was prirandfather’s house It was doubly waterfront as well, being on the tiny spit of a peninsula, and it was in Old Town

She’d never thought about the value of the property She’d never thought about co back

Maybe she had just assumed that Cutter would live forever

At the car, she hesitated, curious

Joe Richter had told her that it had been months since he had seen Cutter

Lilly had said that he’d been out there just a feeeks before Cutter’s death

She almost walked back in to ask Joe Richter, but then she wondered just what it could matter Richter was confused on dates, maybe

He wasn’t exactly a spring chicken, either!

It was a different world with Kelsey Donovan in the house The place sreat ocean breeze had coone for some time, of course And he had spent so h boxes and drawers Insanely, and yet with an excellent organization, so that no one else would know It was iht now

But for once, he sat in the chair by the fireplace He sat in the chair where old Cutter had died, alo now All he had to do ait

Kelsey Donovan would find what he needed

He stood and stretched and walked to the door, noting the new locks, the bolts And back in the laundry room, the screens had been fixed, the s had been fixed and locked down Good Lieutenant Beckett had seen to that

He smiled

Ah, well Beckett kne the kids had always broken into the house But the lieutenant would have no idea hoas getting in

No idea just how often he stayed there, in the house Hiding, listening

Waiting

Returning frorocery store, Kelsey wished that she’d called so ones, and, on top of that, cases of water and beer Heavy stuff

She was on her second trip into the house--wondering why they had always parked on the wrong side of the house and why there had never been a carriage drive that would place the car park so into the yard

"Hey!" she said

"Hey, I saw you from my place Looked like you needed a hand," Jonas told her

"I can’t say that I won’t be extrerateful," she told hi of the feast, I think the very least I can do is help!" Jonas said

He was tall and lanky, with a thatch of brown hair that fell across his forehead, but, like the others, Jonas had ood ss

They both grabbed up two and headed for the house Kelsey had left the door open On the porch, though, she found herself pausing

"What?" Jonas asked her

"I don’t know It’s bizarre I know that someone aired this house out--I’m sure Liae It uilt co overpowered by…"

"By?"

"The s?"

Jonas stepped into the house and inhaled deeply He turned to her and shook his head "Kelsey, I don’t s "Cutter was dead awhile before he was found"

Kelsey nodded

Jonas smiled at her "The house smells like pine to me! Clean and fresh Hey, wantup today," Kelsey said