Highlights to Heaven by Nancy J. Cohen Page A

Goat’s.” Marla felt foolish that she didn’t know his last name. “He, uh, mentioned your name to me on a couple of occasions,” she lied.
    “And you are?” The woman’s voice sharpened.
    “Marla Shore, his neighbor. I haven’t seen him around for a few days, and I’m concerned about his absence. I was hoping you might know where he is.”
    “The police have already questioned me.”
    Marla’s mouth dropped open. Vail had said nothing about Goat’s connections. Apparently, he’d been one step ahead of her. Recovering her composure, she said, “I’m speaking to you as his friend. I’m worried about him, and I don’t believe he’s done anything wrong. I want to help him.”
    “What makes you think I know anything?”
    “You sent him articles about Harperites. Why did he want them?”
    “Look, Miss Shore, it’s late, and I don’t feel like talking about my brother right now.”

Chapter Five
    “Your brother!” Marla repeated in surprise.
    “His real name is Kyle Stanislaw. He got the nickname of Goat because he could never grow more than a scraggly beard. I don’t know where he is, but I can tell you one thing. Kyle may be involved in another of his scrapes, but he isn’t a murderer.”
    “Why did Goat want you to send him those articles about Harperites?”
    “I’m a librarian, so I assume that’s why he asked me to research the topic. I thought it was odd, but I didn’t question him. He’s very bright in some respects, although he lacks common sense.”
    “We’ve been really concerned about him. I collected his mail, and while I was walking home, someone attacked me. Whoever it was stole the envelope you sent him.”
    A moment of silence followed, terminated by a sigh. “We have a place on Siesta Key. I’d hoped Kyle might be there, but no one answers the telephone.”
    Hope flared in her chest. “Is it possible for you to give me the address?”
    “I already gave that information to the police. I trust they’ve already checked it out and didn’t find any sign of him.”
    “I’ve helped the police solve cases before. I don’t know if Goat told you or not, but I’m a hairstylist. People tell me things they won’t admit to anyone else.”
    “So?”
    “So maybe if I ask around Siesta Key, someone might have spotted Goat, especially if you think he stopped off there.”
    “If you’re who you say you are, come visit me. There are things about Kyle you should know if you truly want to help him.”
    Marla tapped her foot, mentally reviewing her schedule. “I’m not free until Sunday. Is this something we could discuss now? Your brother is in trouble, and he needs to be found.”
    Jenny’s voice hardened. “You have it reversed. The person who killed that man in his house needs to be found. Only then will Kyle be safe.”
    “I pray that he’s all right. I believe he took his pet snake with him. Its container was empty. Either that, or the creature is slithering around our neighborhood.”
    “I’d be careful if I were you,” Jenny warned. “Kyle told me about the run-in he’d had with that guy next door. You don’t know who you can trust.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’ll tell you when I see you.”
    “Did he say anything about…selling dog or cat fur?”
    “What? Why on earth would Kyle mention such a thing?”
    “Detective Vail believes he might be engaged in the pet-fur trade. He found an animal with…patches of skin showing.” That was putting it mildly.
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about. If you’re going to discuss such foolery with me when you come, then don’t bother.”
    “I’m sorry,” Marla hastily replied. “I didn’t mean to imply Goat was involved in anything disreputable. It’s just an angle the detective is checking, which may prove useful.”
    “We’ll talk more when you’re here,” Jenny said. “Bye now.”
    After Marla hung up, she mulled over their conversation. Goat’s real name was Kyle Stanislaw. His sister,