Alex Harris 00 - Armed

thought.”
    I turned my head slowly and glared at Millie. “So that’s what’s going on in the factory.”
    “We have them set to move at night for testing. It would be a bit unnerving if they moved during the day.” His eyes twinkled.
    “Hasn’t Disney already done something like this? They’ve got lots of things that move,” Sam asked.
    “Yes, but these mannequins have limited movement and they don’t talk.”
    “Thank God for that.” I yanked a pine needle out of my hair.
    “To create something like they have in amusement parks would be too costly and our clients would never be able to afford them. These are a much simpler version.”
    And then Detective Van der Burg, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, looked at me. “Just exactly what are you all doing here? I don’t think we’ve established that.”
    I didn’t think the looking-for-my-purse idea would fly and decided on truth being the best policy. “We were looking for drugs.”
    “Drugs! Dear Alex, whatever gave you that idea?” Mr. Poupée asked.
    I raised my eyebrows and cocked my head once again in Millie’s direction. “I think Millie may like to answer that.”
    Millie staggered to her feet and brushed a broken ornament from her sweatshirt. “A friend told me weird things were going on and now we know it had something to do with the mannequins, but thought it had something to do with drugs and Mrs. Scott found out and got killed.”
    “You really don’t have any faith in me or the police do you, Ms. Harris?” Detective Van der burg asked. “We’ve already checked that theory out but thanks for verifying it. Another thing—this may seem like a joke to you, coming into the factory at night, playing detective, but there is a murderer loose somewhere in this city. Hasn’t that registered yet?”
    We all looked shamefaced.
    “Please, Ms. Harris, I can’t stress enough how serious this is.”
    Sam looked from Detective Van der Burg and back to me and I could see the wheels spinning in her mind. Great, now I would be interrogated all the way home. I should have just gone home and colored my hair.
    “Well,” Mr. Poupée said, “I think we’ve had enough excitement for one evening. Why don’t we all go on home and get some rest. Good night, ladies.”
    “Can I give you a lift home, Ms. Harris?”
    Sam and Millie exchanged smiles and raised eyebrows as we all walked out.
    “No. My sister will take me back to my car, but thank you, Detective.”
    “Please stay out of it. It’s not a joke,” he said to my back. “I know you’re trying to clear your name so let me set your mind at ease. You’re off the list of our ten most wanted. So give it a rest.”
    I stopped walking and turned to face him. “I can’t. I found the body. You don’t know what that’s like.” Tears filled my eyes.
    “I do know what it’s like. That’s why I do what I do. Just let me handle it. You can continue to help Mr. Poupée, but please leave the detective work to the police.”
    Then he put his hand on my arm and for a second I wanted to throw myself into his arms and have him hold me while I had a good cry. I had an electrified feeling standing so close to him and I thought, what the heck, take a chance. Throw yourself into his arms and worry about whether or not he has a wife later. Then I saw Sam and Millie and straightened my shoulders and took a deep breath.
    “Well. Goodnight, Detective.”
    He waited until we locked our doors and then drove off.
    “I think he likes you,” Sam said.
    “Nonsense. Let’s get out of here. I’m exhausted.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

    I’ve lived in suburbia all my life. Correction. I’ve lived in one particular suburb all my life. I’ve always been content doing it. But here’s the thing; I’m actually a city girl. And I never knew it until I took a job in New York City. I worked there for a few years commuting every day, sleeping on the train or reading or sometimes knitting. I enjoyed it immensely but then Sam and I decided to open up our own shop.
    I’ve never regretted it. But I still love the big city.
    I like to fantasize I live in some only-on-TV wonderfully affordable apartment from Sex and the City and that I don’t need a car. I can walk anywhere or take the subway or a taxi. I like to imagine that after a hard day of work, I might stop in at my neighborhood market and get something fresh for dinner. And if I were lonely, I only had to step out my door and there were lots of