About money, according to witnesses. Charlene has lots and Charlie doesn’t. We’re looking into their family circumstances.” Del drained his iced tea and retrieved his uniform hat. “Let me know your impressions after you get a look at the kid. Maybe chat with him, take his measure.” A cloud of hot, wet air osmosed into the cool kitchen as he opened the alley door.

“You’re welcome,” Olivia said to his back.

Del paused and twisted around. “Thanks.” A corner of his mouth curved upward. “For doing your duty as a citizen.”

Olivia threw a pen at him, but it bounced off the closed door.

Olivia was well armed when she arrived at Struts & Bolts, Chatterley Heights’ one and only garage. She carried a Gingerbread House box filled with two dozen decorated cookies representing various modes of transportation, from animal to mechanical. In addition to the cookies, Olivia had stopped by the Chatterley Heights Café to pick up lattés for the mechanics and for herself. For Struts Marinksy, the owner, Olivia had splurged on a café mocha with a shot of mint and chocolate-mint sprinkles on top.

“You are a goddess in human form,” Struts said as Olivia handed her the hot cup, “but I’m afraid not even chocolate-mint sprinkles will give me the power to bring your old Valiant back to its former glory. I’m an automotive genius, true, but even I am not that good. Jason won’t give up, though. He keeps working on the poor old thing.”

“I have grieved and let go,” Olivia said as she plopped onto the old kitchen chair Struts offered to customers. “I come bearing cookies.” She nestled the gift box among the notes, order forms, and oil-splotched tools that cluttered Struts’s desk.

Struts eyed the box, decorated with a fanciful gingerbread house on top and colorfully sketched gingerbread men and women tumbling down the sides. “What’s the catch? I don’t have a first-born, not likely to produce one, so it can’t be that. Are you trying to find out my real name?”