by Reagan Davis
Last fall, when Harmony Lake had it’s first murder ever (technically, our first two murders), the Harmony Lake Police Department borrowed Eric Sloane from a larger department because they didn’t have a major crimes unit.
After he solved both murders (with a little help) and prevented a third murder (mine), Harmony Lake implemented a major crimes unit and offered him a job. He is the major crimes unit. Just him.
He’s forty-ish, divorced, no kids, and hot. Seriously, he’s distractingly attractive. I’ve had to train myself to not stare.
“Hi Eric,” I smile.
I walk over to the counter, silently thanking him for his good timing and interrupting an uncomfortable conversation.
“Hi Megan,” He says. “Do you have a package for me?”
I tilt my head and raise my eyebrows. A package? Am I meant to have a package? Did I forget about a package for Eric? I shake my head.
“Phillip was supposed to drop off a package of hand-knit dog sweaters for me to pick up. Laura Pingle is donating them to the silent auction.”
I shake my head, “No, Phillip hasn’t dropped anything off.”
“Amy is expecting me to bring it to the station today.”
Officer Amy Andrews is organizing the silent auction portion of the fundraiser. The AC provides free veterinary care for PSD Tundra, Harmony Lake’s police dog. Amy is his handler and supporting the AC is important to her. I’ve heard from some other business owners that she takes her role as organizer seriously. One person likened her to a bride on one of those Bridezilla reality shows.
“I’ll text Phillip,” I offer.
I text Phillip and ask if he has a package for Eric. While I’m waiting for a response, Connie asks April if there’s been any more news about Mega Mart and the AC.
“When I was at the town council meeting in December, the council was divided right down the middle,” April says, using her hand like a knife and slicing it through the air. “Laura was there, and she told the pro-Mega-Mart council members that a Mega Mart would go on that land ‘over my dead body.’ Those were her exact words. Then she said, ‘not even over my dead body, because I intend to donate the land before I die to ensure it will always be The Vanity Fur Centre for Animal Health And Wellness.’ Then she stomped out of the meeting.”
April attends town council meetings on behalf of the Water Street Business Association (WSBA). Each year a different member takes a turn attending the meetings, reporting any relevant details to the rest of the WSBA, and advocating on our behalf.
Ding! I check my phone.
“Laura didn’t give him anything for you,” I tell Eric, “He says he dropped Laura off at home a couple of hours ago and is going back at lunch to check on her and take her some soup. He says he’ll ask her about the sweaters then.”
Eric rubs the back of his neck with his hand.
“I’m planning to walk over to Laura’s house in a little while to drop off Sophie. I can ask her for the package and bring it back to the store, if that helps,” I offer.
“Why don’t I walk over there with you,” he suggests, “It’ll give me a chance to introduce myself and thank her personally. I’m still the new guy in town, and an introduction from an already-trusted community member like you is always helpful.”
He crosses his arms in front of his chest. Don’t stare at his chest, Megan.
“Also, I really don’t want to show up at the station and see Amy without that package,” he adds.
“You two should go now while I’m here to watch the store.” Connie makes a sweeping motion with her hands to dismiss us.
“I guess I’ll get Sophie and I bundled up,” I say, shrugging.
“Great,” Eric says, “I’ll go get my coat.
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Also by Reagan Davis
Killer Cables
Murder & Merino
Neigbourhood Swatch: A Knitorious Cozy Mystery Short Story
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About the Author
Reagan Davis doesn’t really exist. She is a pen name for the real author who lives in the suburbs of Toronto with her husband, two kids, and a menagerie of pets. When she’s not planning the perfect murder, she enjoys knitting, reading, eating too much chocolate, and drinking too much Diet Coke. The author is an established knitwear designer who regularly publishes individual patterns and is a contributor to many knitting books and magazines. I’d tell you her real name, but then I’d have to kill you. (Just kidding! Sort of.)
http://www.ReaganDavis.com/
Acknowledgments
This book would not exist without the patience and grace of some very talented people.
Thank you to Kim’s Covers for interpreting a vague, and ever-changing vision in my head, and turning it into the perfect cover.
Thank you to Chris and Sherry at The Editing Hall for removing all the double spaces, converting commas that should have been periods, and fixing my sentences when they run like they’re being chased (see what I did there!).
Thank you to the beta readers for your honest feedback and patience.
Thank you to the Husbeast and Kidlets for your patience, without you this book would have been published six months sooner.
