Page 83 of In the Line of Ire

"Can'twait to!" called Sadiq, waving back. "Your mom is the best," headded for the umpteenth time.

"Thankyou," replied Mom, calling out behind us.

"She hasexcellent hearing," I told them. "You can't say anything within ablock that she fails to hear."

"That'sright," Mom shouted after us.

I turnedand waved to my parents as my dad joined her at the door andwrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Don’tforget your panties!" yelled Mom just as the neighbors stepped outto empty the trash.

Solomonlooked down at me. I sighed.

"Yes, Igot ‘em and thank you so much!" I yelled back before I ran to thecar. I climbed inside and slammed the door shut. Solomon got inbeside me and fixed me with a long look. "They're in my pocket," Isaid.

Solomonlaughed. "I will never forget your face at that moment," hesaid.

"Atleast she gave me the heads-up to expect a bra to complete the set.I can try to prepare for my facial expression when thathappens."

Solomonlaughed harder.

"I'mgoing to ask my mom to make you a pair of boxer shorts."

Solomonsobered up and shook his head. "No, thanks."

"Toolate, buster. Shared mortification was included in our maritalvows."

"I'mfairly certain it wasn't."

"Youmust have missed that bit. You were too busy wishing you arrived toour wedding in a tank like I did."

Solomonglanced at his cellphone. "At least your mom didn’t question usabout our marriage. We should get going. I have to get my car fromthe agency and grab my camera."

"I'lldrop you off. I want to run over to Natalie's house."

"Why?Did the camera get a hit? Lucas didn't notify me."

"Not sofar as I know. I want to ask Natalie's neighbors if they sold outto the developer like the newspaper said. I should have enough timeto do that and still get into position to watch Charlaine Beck makeher deal."

"Goahead, but if time becomes a factor, our priority is thecounterfeiting ring and being in place at the parking lot. We can'tmake any identification without you and we might not get anotherchance to."

"Understood," I said. I took Solomon to the agency anddropped him off outside, then merged back into the light trafficand headed to Linden Street. Natalie's house was dark but the housenext door had all the lights on and a moving truck was parkedoutside. Uniformed men in Dockers and Polo shirts carried boxesfrom the house to the truck. I pulled up opposite and walked over,knocking on the door before I stuck my head inside.

"Oh,hi," said the man I met there before. "You're the PI. What can I dofor you?"

"Iwanted to ask you a question about the sale of this house," I said,holding up the newspaper my father gave me. "I read that adeveloper bought up the whole street in order to demolish theexisting ones and build new homes. Did that include yourhouse?"

Henodded. "Yes, it's common knowledge now," he said. "So far as Iknow, the developer got the permits a month ago and bought up mostof the street, if not all of it, already. They paid well over theasking price for a quick sale so everyone's happy."

"Didthat include the house next door?" I asked as I pointed toNatalie's home.

Heshrugged. "I guess so. We haven't talked about it. How's she doingby the way? Are the girls okay?"

"Yes,they're all fine, thanks."

"Did youcatch the creep who was scaring them?"

"Notyet."

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