Last of the Big Time Spenders

The entire Moore clan is celebrating Thanksgiving at Old Man Thompson’s barn. Though Joy’s not blood-related, they insist she be a part, which makes sense since, months ago, she uncovered the murderer of patriarch Merrick Moore. The walls vibrate with the beat from the popular band Loco-Motion. Suddenly, the lead singer lights up like a roman candle on New Years Eve. Nona Williamson has been electrocuted and things are looking bad for the family. After all, except for Joy and the band members, the only attendees are blood-related. This puts a huge kink in the investigation.

Chapter 1: Only the Good Die Young
Chapter OneIt’s nearly midnight. The Thanksgiving celebration has been rocking for hours. The turkey carcass sits like a v ...

Chapter 2: Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Chapter TwoSay Goodbye to HollywoodSaturday nightWe—Anna, Diablo, and I—stand guard, keeping people from swarming to ...

Chapter 3: Keeping the Faith
Chapter ThreeI’m up with just enough time for coffee before leaving for the police station. I’m starving but will be ...

Chapter 4: You May be Right
Chapter FourJust then, I spot Jakob out on the street, heading in our direction. Suddenly I can’t help myself. I say, &ldq ...

Chapter 5: Stranger
Chapter Five“Joy, would you do me a favor?” Amanda calls from up front where she’s checking out a customer. &l ...

Chapter 6: Surprises
Chapter Six“Did you know Eddie and Nona were dating?” I pull up my hood as Whitney and I scurry between th ...

Chapter 7: The Night is Still Young
Chapter SevenDiablo issues his most raucous squawk, which makes both officers leap back. Believe me, I’ve been on the rece ...

Chapter 8: I Don't Want to be Alone
Chapter EightNot many details to go on, right?The person's build is similar to both Philip's and Hank's, but I don’t recal ...

Chapter 9: Shades of Grey
Chapter NineMonday mid-morningAmanda looks up as I enter from the back hallway. “When did you come in?” she asks wit ...

Chapter 10: A Matter of Trust
Chapter TenMonday late afternoon“Wowser.” This comes from Anna the same time I say, “Jeez-looweez.”Anna ...

Chapter 11: Blonde Over Blue
Chapter ElevenMonday nightI eat two more slices sitting on the deck of my temporary home, cool air blowing off the bay and dryin ...

Chapter 12: Don't Ask Me Why
Chapter TwelveTuesday lunchThe trio of bells announces my arrival in the general store. Amanda isn’t here. She’s tak ...

Chapter 13: The Entertainer
Chapter ThirteenTuesday afternoon Hank is shouting that he can’t swim. Unfortunately, I can’t help him; one, be ...

Chapter 14: River of Dreams
Chapter FourteenTuesday late afternoonPhilip Newsome lives in a small ranch house on the way back toward town just off Route 70. ...

Chapter 15: Running on Ice
Chapter FifteenTuesday lateJakob drives me back to the marina. On the way, I tell him about the visit I had from Hank and Philip ...

Chapter 16: You're Only Human
Chapter SixteenWednesday mid-morningOn the way to the park, we duck under low hanging branches still dripping with morning moist ...

Chapter 17: C'etait Toi
Chapter SeventeenWednesday afternoonI spread my arms and dip my head, and soar through the sky like Harry Potter playing quiddit ...

Chapter 18: Tomorrow is Today
Chapter EighteenFriday very earlyIt’s dark when I awake. I wiggle all my joints and find that nothing hurts too bad. Okay, ...

Chapter 19: Storm Front
Chapter NineteenI slip gingerly into the passenger seat in Anna’s car. “Hey, girl,” comes Whitney’s ...

Chapter 20: Code of Silence
Chapter TwentyJakob’s anger fills the car. It’s so thick I can barely breathe. Oh wait, that’s my ribs hurting ...

Chapter 21: Ain't No Crime
Chapter Twenty-one“Ho-lee she-it,” Anna says. “This is…”She’s at a loss for an adjective. No ...

Last of the Big Time Spenders

The entire Moore clan is celebrating Thanksgiving at Old Man Thompson’s barn. Though Joy’s not blood-related, they insist she be a part, which makes sense since, months ago, she uncovered the murderer of patriarch Merrick Moore. The walls vibrate with the beat from the popular band Loco-Motion. Suddenly, the lead singer lights up like a roman candle on New Years Eve. Nona Williamson has been electrocuted and things are looking bad for the family. After all, except for Joy and the band members, the only attendees are blood-related. This puts a huge kink in the investigation.