and meanwhile. . .

"That's torn it," said the President of the Garden Club, "I'm fixing to start those seeds anyway, spring or no spring."

meanwhile. . .

The President of the Garden Club about had a conniption fit when she thought about that Punxsutawney Putz or whatever the damn groundhog was called.

sending out an sos

         Meredith glanced out to sea. The 11:00 ferry was visible, headed into Old Harbor. Bobby would be at the taxi stand. She turned up the volume on her phone and rang his cell.     She could not get used to interrupting someone as they were driving in their car or eating in a restaurant. But, whatever.

      “Merry.”

      “They searched your car?”

      “They searched my car, my person and my record.”

      “Oh dear.” She pronounced it “deah.”

      “You got that right.”

      “Joseph says we’re on our own.”

      “Big surprise.”

      “No, he will help us as much as he is able to, but we have to find out what happened. He’s just trying to keep the people from the mainland from muddying the waters.”

        “Running interference.”

        “Yes. At least we know the cast of characters.”

         “Are you referring to Kate?”

         “Or Katie or whatever her name is. You know who I mean!”

         “Gallia est divisa in tres partes.”

           “What?”

           “The Islanders, the Summer People and the Day Trippers. Well, actually, the Summer People could be subdivided into Cottagers and Renters. And the Winter People—Islanders, Neo Year Rounders—former Cottagers turned retirees and their children who couldn’t get it together elsewhere, weirdos, drifters. The boat is docking. I’ll come by later.”