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"Believe uess I’d better get going It was a pleasure to meet you And thank you so very much"

"My pleasure," Marcia assured her

"And--" Darcy began

"If I do think of anything else, I pro hi for me, will you? Clint, Carter, Penny--and Matt"

"I’ll do that," Darcy said She waved as she walked out to the car, feeling as if a bunch of puzzle pieces were in front of her

Their positioning should have been obvious, and she was certain, if she just tried hard enough, they would all fall right into place

Just as it that she was o back to the office when the judge adjourned the court for the day Matt realized that he sio back

Ada he and Darcy planned to be at Melody House He could re him, "It’s not a paint job I can’t really esti to need But don’t worry about it You’ll be able to go about your day-to-day business with no interference"

Hah

All right, so they didn’t really interfere with his life Not by just being there

But there was this ridiculous tug Not a hunch, or a gut feeling He was anxious to be at the house

Anxious, sure, because there were people in it

There were always people in Melody House They hadn’t rented any of the rooms for now, and they hadn’t scheduled any tours But if they really needed to, they could He was just loathe to do so until…

Until whatever was happening was solved--and not happening anymore

He turned his car toward home, then poked the speed dial on his phone for hooing on there?" he asked

"Nothingsome Christmas parties--do you believe we have to book this early? Of course, it’s exciting, but--"

"Darcy around?" he broke in

"Yes, she and Ada up to the Lee Rooht?"

"Perfectly"

"Has she been in all day?"

"No, actually, she wasn’t here when I finished shopping"

"Where did she go?"

"Honestly, Matt! I don’t know I don’t give her a third degree every time she walks in or out of the house"

"Maybe you should," he muttered beneath his breath

"What?"

"Never mind By the way, call the appropriate et that skull buried tomorrow"

"Tomorrow, Matt? That’s too fast! We won’t be able to invite people, to have the press"

"That’s right"

"Matt!"

"Penny"

He heard a huff so loud the wind froht, Matt As you wish"

"Thanks, Penny You’re a doll"

"And you’re a tyrant"

"Sorry"

"What on earth was that?" Penny

"I don’t know…a thudding sound I’ll go see Bye, Matt"