Trouble And Money #03
A “Break-in” at Connie's home creates confusion. Frank gives the intruder a thumbs-up, provided he has two blue pills and a Jack and Coke.
Peace O' The Sea Trailer Park — Rye, New Hampshire
At the Peace O' The Sea trailer park, everyone knows your business.
When I first bought the place, I thought it would be temporary. I was getting away from a bad marriage and an abrupt end to a promising career. (I was a Homicide Detective in Norfolk, Virginia )
It took a while to get used to the hawkeyed neighbors peering between the slats of window blinds whenever someone drove into the park.
Most neighbors can tell you who got a package delivered, who had an electrician or plumber over, or when Mrs. Grassi made her Sunday sauce. (Saturday)
The trailers are close together, rectangles of thin-skinned sheet metal. In my years here, I learned this is the world’s most incredible security system.
Mrs. Collette ran to the driver’s side window as I parked the truck and breathlessly said,
“Connie, a woman was in your trailer today, and she had a crockpot.”
I looked at the door of my house, thought about it, and said,
“What did she look like?”
Mrs. Collette answered, “Frank said he would do her twice if he were younger with a couple of blue pills and a Jack and Coke.”
“That sounds positive. Thanks for letting me know. How’s Evangaline doing?”
“She gets out of rehab next Tuesday, but the courts are not letting her near my granddaughter yet so Evie won’t be coming here, even for cigs.”
I smiled and said, “I hope for the best. Stay positive. Gator loves little Harley, so they can keep playing with each other.”
“Please say hi to Frank for me.”
Peace O' The Sea Trailer Park - Rye, New Hampshire
My house smelled like pot roast and all the fixings when I stepped in.
Gator ate his fries, and I let him out to get on with his abbreviated social life.
Next to the crockpot was a note that said. “I hope you don’t mind that I made dinner for you; text me later about Friday.”
I thought, "Uh oh." I need to speak with Frank and learn more about her appearance.
Life has been promising the past two weeks.
I looked around my house and saw that she had straightened everything up, thrown away two days of empties, and even made the bed. A load of clothes was tumbling in my dryer.
Man, I don’t want to screw this one up.
I left with three cold ones and headed for The Collette’s house.
On the way there, I laughed a bit.
When someone breaks into your house, the thoughts are usually about what was stolen.
I must figure out who made pot roast and provided maid service.
It’s close to 6:30 PM; by now, Frank will be well into a case of cold ones, or he might be asleep.
I’ll stay positive.
Trouble And Money is published Monday through Friday. It is a free serial fiction detective story with characters you will love. Read the adventures of Conrad Grange as he solves cases and contends with a harsh world.