Down Home and Deadly

people knew about the gun. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to find it in her desk drawer.”
    “That’s true. But Bob specifically said Larry was abusive. And if he was jealous . . . ”
    “Yeah,” Carly said. “We know firsthand that jealousy can lead to murder . ”
    “ Oh well, I may find out more tomorrow. I’m going to swim at the club in the morning.”
    “So you and Bob made up?”
    “I guess. To an extent.”
    “If it’s not war, it’s peace,” she said. “Be thankful for it.”
    “ Believe me, I am.”
    *****
    It felt weird but totally natural to be back at the club pool for my morning swim . I had spent so much time here that not coming for the last few weeks had felt strange. I shook off introspections and focused on getting my laps in. No use crying over spil led milk. Or in this case, chlorinated water. Definitely better than the lake. And so nice to have it to myself. Or so I thought.
    “Hey! They let just anybody in here?”
    I set a new record for going from a breaststroke to a high jump in seven feet of water. Which Seth thought was hilarious.
    “What are you doing here so early?” I excused myself for sounding like a petulant child on the basis of extreme surprise.
    “I heard the great Jenna Stafford was working out here again, and I had to come check it out.” A grin still marked his features , so at least my rudeness hadn’t been too obvious. “Just kidding. Passing by on my way to the weight room. I’ll be back later in case you need company.” With a jaunty salute , he left, but before I could soak in the solitude, Amelia came in. So much for a quiet swim.
    Amelia motioned imperiously.
    Like a puppet on strings, I obediently swam to the edge of the pool.
    She handed me a towel. “Put this around you and sit with me a minute.” She proceeded to a corner table and made herself comfortable.
    I followed. Like I had a choice. As I draped the towel over me for maximum coverage and warmth, Amelia looked around suspiciously then leaned forward and put a finger to her lips. Apparently she was channeling James Bond. I glanced around nervously. Were enemy agents about to descend? Was the room bugged? Was Amelia slightly batty?
    “What’s wrong, Amelia?” I apparently hadn’t quite banished my inner pouty child.
    “Shh. I don’t want anyone to see us talking.” She got up and looked out the steamy windows of the pool room doors. Satisfied that we weren’t being observed, she resumed her seat. “Remember what I asked you to do for me?”
    Oops. I was drawing a blank. “What?”
    She pursed her lips and shook her head as if she felt sorry for me for having such a low IQ. “You were going to ask around about Ricky.”
    “Oh yes. That. Well . . . ” Pause for throat clearing and brain searching. “ S o far, not much.” I’d been a little busy trying to help Bob keep Lisa out of jail and find out who really killed J.D. But since Amelia knew I wasn’t directly involved with this murder investigation, I knew she’d never buy that as an excuse. And considering that this very moment, Ricky’s partner was in the weight room next door, I could make up for lost time. “I’ve got a plan, though.”
    “Plans are only as efficient as the planner,” she said primly.
    I pushed a wet strand of hair off my face and stared at her. Was she insulting me?
    Her expression lightened a little. I think she realized she’d almost pushed the “favor” envelope too far. “Please hurry. Tiffany’s pushing like mad for me to get this wedding planned.”
    “Okay, I’ll get back to you as soon as I find out anything.”
    She gave me a terse nod and stood, then with a surreptitious wave of dismissal , sauntered out. I wanted to call out a witty “We’ve got to stop meeting like this ,” but I felt sure she wouldn’t appreciate it. So I stood and sidled toward the shower room. Even though I loved to swim, I hated getting back in the water after I’d been out for a while.
    I rushed through my shower and emerged just as Seth left the men’s shower room. How convenient.
    He shot me a cocky grin as if I’d set up this meeting on purpose. And even if he was close to right, it definitely wasn’t for the reason he was obviously hoping it was for . “Hey, babe, we’ve got to stop meeting like this,” he drawled.
    I cringed, glad I hadn’t said something similar to Amelia. That old line wasn’t as witty as I’d thought it might be when it was said aloud. “Hi, Seth. Did you