Read Online Bad Hair Day 2 - Hair Raiser by Nancy J. Cohen - Free Book Online

mind instantly made the connection between this vehicle and the one she'd seen parked in front of Cynthia's garage. That one had looked awfully familiar. Was it because she'd seen the same car when taking Spooks out the other day? Nah, there were plenty of beat-up blue sedans in town. It was merely a coincidence that Shark had the same model. Paranoia was an understatement if she thought he was following her, especially since she'd just met the guy at Cynthia's house.

Her neighbor emerged lugging a sack of garbage to put by the curb. It crossed her mind that he might have seen the vehicle cruising by before. Perhaps she should put her neighbors on the alert. If someone was keeping tabs on her movements, extra insurance in terms of neighborly observation would be useful.

Of course, she shouldn't ignore the possibility that dear old Stan had hired someone to annoy her. Her exspouse should know that tactic wouldn't work. She'd never sell her portion of their jointly owned property, no matter what nasty tricks he tried. Maybe she should call up his newest trophy wife and sound her out. Kimberly would be happy to brag about Stan.

"Hey, Moss," she called to her elderly neighbor. "How are you doing? If you've got a minute, I need to talk to you about something."

"Sure thing, mate," Moss said in a gravelly voice. Plopping down his bag, he trotted over, a spry character for a man in his seventies. His wife, Emma, hadn't aged as well. Moss was the one who ran errands and took charge of their household. A former carpenter, he enjoyed sea cruises and planned trips to different ports of call. Sporting a naval cap and wiry white beard, he reminded Marla of a ship's captain. His leathery face crinkled with pleasure as he neared her.

"I'm wondering about that blue car that was just in front of my town house," she said, getting straight to the point. "Have you seen it around here before?"

"Can't say that I have. Why?" His brow wrinkled in puzzlement.

Marla waved a hand in the air as though unconcerned. "Oh, it looked out of place in the neighborhood, that's all."

"Any reason why you're wondering about it being in front of _your_ house? You do seem to have a knack for attracting trouble. What undertow is pulling you in deeper this time, mate?"

The old codger was too perceptive. Shrugging, she cocked her head. "I'm involved in a fund-raiser, and someone doesn't want our event to be a success. One of our board members was murdered last week."

"Go on." He gaped at her. "You could ask our new neighbor if he knows anything about that car. You met him yet?"

"No, who's that?"

"Name's Goat." Moss pointed three doors down. "Come on, I'll introduce you." On the way, he pulled a paper from his pocket. "I've been saving this to show you."

"What is it, your latest limerick? Let me see." With a smile on her lips, she read his latest verse:
    Computers, calculators, and gizmos galore;
    Makes your head spin, your eyes red and sore;
    These inventions are supposed to make life easy;
    But they just turn my stomach queasy;
    Please don't give me any more!
"I like it," she said, chuckling. Recently, Moss had entered the computer age so he could make travel arrangements on-line, but he was constantly calling her with questions. She handed him back the poem, glad he was still writing in spite of a spate of rejections.

Knocking on the new neighbor's door evoked a strange response. From inside, Marla heard a series of barks that sounded more human than canine. The door swung open, and on the threshold stood a man wearing a sheepskin vest over a Hawaiian shirt, shorts that showed off bony knees, and lamb's wool slippers. A fur hat with a tail capped his head. Wild dark eyes peered at them.

"Ba-a-a," was his greeting. "Who are you?"

In the background, Marla heard faint high-pitched sounds undulating like whale calls. Moss introduced them, then she brought up the matter of the car.

"Not mine, dude. Hey, wanna come in and see my cattle-prod