Dandelion Dead by Chrystle Fiedler Page A

don’t think someone like that, an outsider, can crack this case. I need you, both of you.” Simon gave us a pleading look. “So will you do it?” He got down on his knees. “I’m begging you, please.”
    I looked at Jackson, and he shrugged—that Simon was up to his usual antics—and said, “Up to you, McQuade.”
    â€œThank you, honey,” I said. “Simon, I’ll help you, of course I will.”
    â€œWhew.” Simon got up. “I was a little worried that you weren’t going to have my back on this one.”
    Now I gave Simon a “get real” look. “C’mon, Simon, you knew I’d help you. I’m sure Jackson will, too, when he has time away from the animal sanctuary, right, honey?”
    Jackson blew out a breath. “Sure, I’ve got to protect you from yourself. That goes for both of you.”
    Simon put an arm around each of us. “Just what I was hoping for! It’s the Three Musketeers, together again!”

chapter five
    I decided to start the investigation by going back to basics, in this case finding out if David had any enemies. After I was sure everyone was taken care of, I headed over to talk to him. David, wearing a brown corduroy jacket over a faded yellow tee, jeans, and red high-top sneakers, was flirting with Carla Olsen, a petite redhead, and the owner of Sisterhood Wines.
    He spotted me and said something to Carla, who moved on. When he turned back to say hi, he almost ran into Lily, who was serving glasses of Falling Leaves .
    â€œSorry, Lily.”
    â€œIt’s fine,” she replied frostily. “Wine?”
    He pointed to his almost-full glass. “I’m good.” He pecked me on the cheek. “Willow, nice party.”
    â€œThanks. Everything okay?”
    â€œYeah, fine.” David watched Lily walk away. I wondered what was going on between them—did they have a history that I didn’t know about?
    â€œI wanted to tell you that I’ve decided to help you and Simon, Jackson, too.”
    â€œWow.” David smiled. “Thank you. That’s a relief.”
    â€œFirst off, we need to know the basics, like if you have any enemies? Anyone we should talk to or check out?”
    â€œAs you saw at the party, I don’t exactly get along with Gerald or my father and brother, but besides them and whoever is sending those texts and e-mails, I don’t know.” David shrugged. “I really try to get along with everyone.”
    I wondered if this was true, and if he was faithful to his wife, Ivy. “David, I know this is probably a touchy subject, but I have to ask. Is there someone else in your life, I mean, besides Ivy. I noticed that you were chatting with Carla and . . .”
    â€œPeople always take it that way.” David sounded frustrated. “I like women, period, but I don’t fool around, Willow. I’m a married man.”
    â€œOkay.” I put my concerns about other women on the back burner for a moment. “So no one else comes to mind who has a grudge against you or anything?”
    He shook his head. “Nope.”
    â€œAnd you and Ivy are okay?” I was thinking about the fight I’d witnessed at the corn maze. “Yesterday morning you two seemed upset.”
    â€œWe’re fine, Willow. Don’t worry about me tonight, take care of your other guests.”
    â€œI can do both.” I noticed that he wasn’t eating. “Can I get you a plate of food?”
    His eyes opened wide. “No, I grabbed something before I came. I’m feeling a little anxious about eating out after what happened. I mean, I’m sure the food is fine, but I’m just being careful.”
    â€œIt is fine, really, David. You should eat. Ivy, too.”
    â€œOh, she’s eating.” He gestured to Ivy, who was chatting with Simon, in between bites of gnocchi. “She’s always hungry. Both of them