1 Odds and Ends Read Online Free Page B

the cover. “I didn’t give it to you.”
    “No, I paid three dollars for it and a few other items. My collection is enriched.”
    “Three do—” Aghast, Margot couldn’t finish the sentence. “Explain yourself before I call Peter.”
    Nancy frowned. “Peter?”
    Margot dug into her pocket and pulled out the business card Peter had given her. She waved it in the air. “The detective that was here earlier. I have his number.”
    “Oh, wasn’t that just awful about the Mr. Patterson,” Nancy chirped, still the happy thief. “Peter was his name? Well, I hope he finds out who did it before too long. I for one won’t be able to sleep a wink knowing we have a killer in our midst.”
    “The record,” Margot reminded her.
    Nancy set two plates piled too high with food on one of the tables and waved her hands in dismissal. “You’re welcome, honey. Let me get the money.”
    Margot was too stunned to reply. Nancy disappeared once again and returned moments later with a wad of bills. She reached for Margot’s hand and dumped them into her palm. Margot stared at the twenties, tens, fives, and mostly ones in disbelief.
    “Trust me, it’s all there. I counted and recounted every time I sold an item. I wouldn’t let them bargain me down too much either. I got you a fair price for the entire lot.”
    “Bargain… entire?”
    The room dipped and swayed. Margot grabbed for a chair back. A bit of dust rose from the cushion, tickling her nose. A twinge in her hip made one knee wobble.
    Green eyes blinked up at her from directly in front of her feet. “Better sit before you fall.”
    And the talking cat was back. Lovely.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    “If I do, I’ll fall on you and squish you!”
    “Who are you talking to, Margot?” Nancy asked cheerily. “Come over and sit down. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
    Margot stared at the cat, waiting for a smart remark about scratching her again. He said nothing. She grumbled. The loss of her things. That’s what did it. Falling into a chair closer to the crazy old woman—and she was one to talk—Margot listened while Nancy explained that she had the brilliant idea to have an impromptu sidewalk sale to get rid of all of Margot’s extra items.
    “Of course I bought as much as I could afford. You had such beautiful things, I would have loved to take them all off your hands. If I had the room, I swear, I would have made a payment plan.”
    The words “you had no right” hung on Margot’s lips, but what good would it do now? Nancy had shared that people had driven up to buy, stuffed their cars with her precious odds and ends, and driven away. Who knew where they had come from or where they had gone.
    Margot counted the bills she had been given. “This doesn’t even cover the second Victorian. I know because I purchased the set myself with my credit card.” She didn’t mention that same credit card had been canceled. She had already checked—by trying to purchase again.
    “Of course not, silly.” Nancy shook her head. “We’ll never get what our precious items are really worth, not with a sidewalk sale. Who in this neighborhood could afford it anyway? I dare say you can use as much extra cash as possible, too. I know I could because I have a small budget. My son looks out for me, but I don’t like to depend on him.”
    Through her haze of misery, Margot’s curiosity rose. “Your son?”
    “John, yes. He’s a bank manager.” A sad expression came over her face. “I don’t get to see him often, but he sends a check regularly. How I miss him.”
    Margot’s heart softened. “I imagine you do.”
    “Do you have any children, Margot?”
    “No.” She couldn’t bring herself to say more. The stupid cat swirled between her legs. She aimed a half-hearted kick at him, but he dodged it.
    Nancy giggled. “Oh, but you do have a child.” She pointed at the fur ball. “What’s his name?”
    Margot drew back in horror. “He’s not mine. He’s evil, and…