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Whoever it was would have to have a good cover.
And the town gossip? She would know everything.
“I know that look,” Grace said. “You’re thinking about something.”
“I have a weird connection about the STM grant. I don’t think it’s anything, though.”
“Tell us,” Piper urged.
“Kerry’s been really busy lately. She’s been driving out of town to take Tommy to swim lessons.”
“Did she finally go through with it?” Mollie asked. “I had talked to her about it a couple of months ago, right before school let out. She told me that Tommy couldn’t swim, and I wanted her to sign him up.”
“So, she’s not done them before,” I said slowly.
“There’s usually some time for parents to look at their phones, unless she’s determined to be involved in the swim lessons too.”
“Has Kerry ever not been involved in something?”
“I bet she’s doing those parent-child ones. With that long drive, there’s no time for anything else.”
“So, she is busy, which could explain why things suddenly changed.”
“Well, yes. But Kerry?” Mollie shook her head. “There’s no way she would be it.”
“She’d have to be rich, right? Very rich.”
Grace turned to me. “She does have that massive plot of land. Plus, her house is very nice. Far nicer than mine.”
“Yeah, I believe her husband bought it for her. That and the nice car she drives.” As I spoke, my mind was spinning.
“What does her husband do?” Piper asked.
“He’s in the military, I believe,” Grace said, tapping her chin as she thought about it. “But he’s old enough that he could have been discharged. Maybe he’s doing something else these days?”
“She’d have to have more than we expect, but her husband could be some rich dude. She could be stealing from him and giving back to the town,” I offered.
“I don’t know about stealing, though she is that powerful.” Mollie frowned.
“She’s definitely a suspect, then,” I said. “A top one, really.”
“Are you sure about this?” Grace asked.
“I’ve wondered why she’s so involved in everything,” Piper added.
“But she can’t keep a secret!” Grace said with a laugh. “There’s no way she would be able to hide the fact that she’s saving the town. She’d want to make it known. She’d—”
“Join the town committee and demand the square be perfect?” I asked.
“Well.” Grace frowned. “Yes, she would.”
“I need to talk to her. I have evidence and a motive. This is better than any of my other people.”
“Wow, so we really have a lead?” Piper asked. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t think we’d get this far.”
“Rude,” I huffed. “But neither did I.”
Kerry had posted about finally having a free day, and she was sitting in the back of the diner. I allowed myself one deep breath before I walked in. Her eyes went wide when she saw me, but then she settled for a smile. Tommy was next to her, and I waved at him.