A Timely Vision

“That’s up to you.” He glanced toward a painting of a dog running up the seashore. “Hey! I like that. It might look good in my lobby.”

“In other words, you already told them I find things.”

“I didn’t have to. They talked to Chief Michaels, and he filled them in. It was really only a matter of time anyway. I couldn’t deny I knew you were psychic. How much for the painting?”

A little annoyed that I’d be in a defensive position when they talked to me, I rolled my eyes and answered, “Fifteen thousand dollars.”

He smiled, then looked at the painting again. “For real?”

“How much do you think my privacy is worth?”

“Look, Dae, everyone here knows about you. It might be a little more uncomfortable for you talking to the SBI with them knowing you’re psychic, but it will be fine. I’d be happy to tag along and help out if—”

“Great! What time do they want to see me?”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“But I’ll feel so much better with you there. I’d call my lawyer, but he’s working off a DUI picking up trash on the roads. What time did you say?”

“I don’t know. Chief Michaels might come for you. Or he’ll call. I don’t know which.”

I took out my cell phone. “I’ll call you then. Thanks for volunteering.”

“Sure. So how much for the painting?”

We settled on three hundred dollars. I was only asking four hundred. It wasn’t one of my special finds, but I was glad to see how much Kevin liked it. I’d know if it was a pity purchase (to make up for his talking about me to the SBI) if I didn’t see it hanging in the Blue Whale lobby.

“Thanks. You made my lackluster sales day much better.” I nodded at his T-shirt. “I like the color and the new design on that. I’d be glad to sell some of them here if you like. I have a community board over there too where you could give out information.”

“That would be great! Speaking of the Blue Whale, when can I expect you to come over and help me find my key?”

I thought about it. I could’ve done it right there in the shop on the brocade sofa. But I had never been in the Blue Whale. I was barely six years old when it closed. I thought this would be a good excuse for a tour. “I can come anytime. I was about to close up for the day.”

“Fantastic! Let’s have some dinner and look for the key.”

I started to agree, then remembered my promise to Tim. “I can’t today. Maybe tomorrow. I have a date, sort of.”

“A date! That’s worth not finding my key. Anyone I know?”

“Probably not since you’re new here.” I went on to explain about the purse snatcher and how Tim had saved the day. I didn’t go into how the evening would end with another marriage proposal.

“I know Tim. You can bring him along. I’ll call Shayla, and we’ll make it a foursome.”

The smile on his face seemed devilish to me, as though he already knew about Tim’s infatuation. Adding Shayla to the mix was like scratching a fingernail on a chalkboard. “I don’t think so. Thanks anyway. I’m sure we’ll have time to look for the key later. If not tomorrow, the next day.”

“I guess that’ll have to do.” He followed me out of the shop after I turned off the lights. “I heard you chased down that guy who took your purse. That wasn’t very smart.”

I locked the door with a loud click. “I got my purse back.”

“He could’ve turned around and shot you.”

“But he didn’t. I’m safe and sound and probably in better shape after running all over the parking lot. I appreciate you letting me know about the SBI.”

He held up his painting. “And I’m glad I came in. I guess I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Unless you hear from me in the middle of the night when the SBI comes for me.”

I smiled as we walked in opposite directions. Kevin seemed to be on his way to the General Store or Wild Stallions, the little bar and grill tucked into the corner of the boardwalk. I headed down to the town hall to check my messages with Nancy.

Kevin was much different than I’d imagined when I first met him. He was a little trickier than I’d originally thought. I don’t know why he struck me originally as being a straightforward kind of man. Not a bit like Chief Michaels, Gramps or Tim, the three other law enforcement men I knew well. They were always to the point. I kind of liked the difference.

Chief Michaels was in my office when I arrived at town hall. Nancy got up from her desk with a worried frown on her thin face. “He’s been here for an hour already. I think he wants to take you down to meet with the SBI people. They want to question you about finding Miss Elizabeth.”

Since I knew about the meeting (thank you, Kevin), I was calm and collected as I took my mail and messages and went through to my office. I’d decorated it myself. It had been a storage room, but it had a good window overlooking the sound. I’d painted the room blue and brought in all the sea paraphernalia I could find, including a ship’s bell from a freighter that went down in a storm in the early 1800s. I felt relaxed and calm when I was here. Even now, Chief Michaels’s worried face didn’t upset me.