“I’m sure we can work this out like civilized human beings.” Skye was losing her initial feeling of annoyance and beginning to get alarmed.

“Relax,” Gillian said. “We just want to talk to you, alone and uninterrupted.”

They drove out of Scumble River, passed Skye’s parents’ place, and seemed to be headed for their grandmother’s farm when Ginger slowed and pulled into a driveway obscured with weeds. It was the old Leofanti homestead that had been destroyed by the tornado.

The twins climbed out of the van and Skye followed, after checking the ignition to see if Ginger had left the keys. She hadn’t.

“Now what?” Skye asked.

“We want to know what’s going on with Grandma,” Gillian said, settling on a concrete block. The foundation and chimney of the old farmhouse were the only reminders that there had ever been a building in that spot.

“The last I heard, Simon ordered an autopsy,” Skye answered. “That takes a few days. After they determine a cause of death they’ll release the body. Then we’ll have the wake and funeral as usual.”

“Grandma died of old age. She was eighty, for heaven’s sake. You’re just making it harder on all of us by refusing to admit that, and making us go through all this mumbo jumbo with the police,” Ginger said.

“You would have never gotten your own way on this if you weren’t dating the coroner. Which, by the way, is pretty pathetic in itself.” Gillian stood and crossed her arms.

“Whether you two like it or not, Grandma was murdered. I’m sorry if it isn’t convenient for you.” Skye turned on Gillian. “And it would be a real good idea to leave my relationship with Simon out of this, or I might be forced to examine your marriage a little closer.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gillian screeched and started toward Skye.

“Let’s just say I’ve heard things about Irvin that make me think he’s a real prince-only spelled differently.” Skye refused to back down.

Gillian raised her hand and swung at Skye, who grabbed her by the wrist and twisted it to the right. Gillian howled in pain.

“Try not to forget that I’ve had training in takedowns for uncontrollable kids.” Skye stepped back.

Ginger joined her twin. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. Skye, this whole murder investigation not only gets everyone in town talking about us, but it also holds up getting the estate divided.”

“Yeah,” Gillian added, “just because you already have the Leofanti emerald ring doesn’t mean the rest of us wouldn’t like our share. I still think it’s a bunch of crap that the ring goes to the oldest female. We’re only ten months younger than you and we have children to pass it down to.” Gillian’s face was red and her lank blond hair hung in clumps.

“Interesting. Do you both agree that the emerald shouldn’t go to the oldest female?” Skye looked between the twins, then focused on Ginger. “Or does Gillian just think that because her daughter is a few months younger than your daughter?”

Ginger gave her twin a speculative look, but before she could speak Gillian said, “Never mind. Leave Kristin and Iris out of this. The real money is in the land itself. And now because of your interfering, getting everything settled will take forever.”

“So? What’s the rush? The grandchildren won’t get anything anyway. Mom says everything’s in a trust.” Skye looked puzzled.

“Well, maybe your folks don’t need the money, but ours do.” Ginger walked over and leaned on the van.

“Shut up!” Gillian yelled. “Are you stupid? Don’t tell her anything.”

Ginger scowled. “Then we’re back to square one. Why are you so sure Grandma was murdered?”

“I can’t tell you that,” Skye said. “Chief Boyd has asked me not to discuss it.”

“Fine, then on your long walk home you just think about where your loyalties should lie.” Gillian hopped into the front seat of the TranSport.

Ginger climbed into the driver’s seat. Skye hurried to the side panel and was just in time to hear the lock click into place. The vehicle pulled out in a cloud of dust, leaving Skye with her hand still reaching for the handle.

Sighing, she glanced at her canvas sandals. They were already stained from the morning’s excursion through the wilds of Grandma’s backyard and their two-inch wedge heels were not made for hiking.

Skye peered inside her purse for anything that might be helpful, but since she was carrying only a small shoulder bag there was nothing useful. Her gaze swept the fields. Not a soul in sight. She was going to have to walk.

At the end of the driveway she turned onto the main road. Sweat poured from her face as she concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Boy, I thought I was in better shape than this. This is pathetic. I bet I haven’t even walked a mile in half an hour.

Her breathing was so loud she didn’t hear the car until it pulled up beside her. The black Mustang convertible gleamed in the sunlight. Trixie Frayne sat in the driver’s seat. “What happened? Need a ride?”

“You’re a lifesaver. I don’t think I could have taken another step.” Skye slid gingerly into the passenger side.

As Skye sagged against the seat, she explained to Trixie about her grandmother’s death and what had happened with the twins.

Trixie whistled. “Those cousins of yours are wild. Remember how they used to trade clothes and try to trick your grandmother when she babysat for them?”

“Yes, they tried that on their teachers too, but Grandma fixed their wagon. After they traded identities one too many times, she grabbed them both and put a big red Magic Marker dot on Gillian’s forehead and a matching black circle on Ginger.” Skye smirked. “It took a week for those marks to wear off. Everybody and his uncle asked them what had happened. By the end, even I felt kind of sorry for them.”

Trixie giggled. “With the way they used to torment you whenever your mothers made the three of you play together, I’m surprised you’d feel any sympathy toward those two.”

“One of my many character flaws,” Skye joked.

“What are you going to do about them kidnapping you?”

“Nothing. What can I do, tell their mommy?” Skye looked disgusted.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But maybe sometime, someplace you’ll get a chance to get even, and I’d love to be there.” Trixie’s grin was wicked. “Anyway, where can I take you? Home?”

“No, my car’s at school. I hope I’m not keeping you from anything.” Skye examined the blister on her heel.

“Nothing. I was just taking a ride.” Trixie put the Mustang in gear.

“This is a beautiful vehicle. I can see why you’d like driving around.” Skye ran an admiring hand over the upholstery.

“I bought it for my thirtieth birthday. Owen wanted me to get a minivan.”

Both women looked at each other and said, “Men.”

The twins’ little detour had cost Skye a lot of time. It was nearly six o’clock when she turned off the Buick’s ignition and exited the car in front of her cottage. She immediately noticed something was wrong.

Broken glass littered the area around the house. The foyer and kitchen windows were shattered. Circling the house, Skye saw there was not one intact pane left on the building. She started inside, but stopped before crossing the threshold. Seizing Bingo, who had come to the door to greet her, she backed toward her car, checked the backseat for intruders, and slid inside.

After locking the doors, she sat for a moment to catch her breath. Skye was surprised to find herself shaking. Suddenly, the privacy she valued in her home’s secluded location seemed like a threatening isolation. She backed the Buick onto the road and headed toward the police station.

Skye knew her mother wasn’t working and she figured that Chief Boyd would have already left for the day, so she wasn’t sure if she’d know anyone on duty.

The dispatcher was a stranger to her. Skye couldn’t believe the woman was above the twenty-one years of age required for the job. Her name tag read “Crystal.”