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said. “Let me work on it. Have you thought about whether you want to get him a ring?”
    â€œI’m still figuring that out. A good friend of mine proposed to his boyfriend and they exchanged watches. But a watch isn’t really Joe’s thing.”
    â€œDoes he wear dress shirts and ties for work?”
    â€œYes, he works for a corporate bank.”
    â€œYou could get him diamond cuff links or a tie tack.”
    â€œFun idea,” she said. “But I don’t know. I might just get him a ring. But if I get a ring, what kind of ring do you get a guy when you propose? Boy, this proposal stuffis harder than I thought.” She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “No wonder girls let guys do this.”
    â€œYou’re trying too hard,” I said. “Stop over-thinking and simply go with your gut. You have good instincts, Mary.”
    â€œOkay.” She blew out a long breath. “I’ll do some snooping in his closet and see what would work best for his wardrobe.”
    â€œYou can always ask his family,” I said. “Part of the proposal event is to have family and friends in on the secret. You may want to start there, especially since you hope this goes viral.”
    â€œRight, okay.” Mary was quiet for a moment. “I suppose then I need to go see his mother. You know, instead of asking his father for his blessing, I should go ask his mother.”
    â€œI bet she would be thrilled.”
    Mary laughed. “You don’t know much about mother-in-laws, do you? Just kidding, Joe’s mom is great.”
    My phone buzzed and I glanced at the call waiting. It was Detective Murphy. “Okay, Mary, I’ll get going on the movie theme and get back to you next week. Will that work?”
    â€œYes, thanks.”
    I hung up with Mary just in time to pick up the call waiting. “This is Pepper Pomeroy.”
    â€œHello, Pepper.”
    â€œDetective Murphy, how are you? I understand you made the
Daily Herald
.”
    â€œNot me. They got a nice picture of Officer Flynn. I’velearned to spot a photographer from half a mile away and tend to keep out of their shots.”
    â€œApparently I don’t have the same talent,” I said as I stood up and stretched. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œI need you to come down to the station and answer some questions.”
    I frowned and gave a short shake of my head. “Okay, why? I told you everything yesterday.”
    â€œIt’s all part of the investigation,” he said. “Can you come down today? Say around two P.M. ? Ask for me.”
    â€œI suppose.”
    â€œThanks, Pepper. Your cooperation is appreciated.” He hung up.
    I stared at the phone and frowned. Detective Murphy and I had a bit of a history. He swore he liked me. He said that I reminded him of his daughter, Emily. That said, we had a tendency to butt heads. While he was a slow and methodical pro, I tended to be a quick, hotheaded amateur. Not exactly a good team when it came to solving murders. Wait, solving murders was not what I did for a living.
    I shook my head at my thoughts. I was a proposal planner, for goodness sakes—hearts and flowers and romantic fun. That thought made me think of Gage. He was in the prop business for the local theater scene. Plus he was a guy—what a guy. Anyway, he might have some thoughts on what I could do for Mary. I dialed his number without a second thought.
    â€œHey, Pepper,” Gage answered. The sound of his voicehad me all jittery and jumpy. Crazy. I walked to the breakfast bar that separated my kitchen and dining area.
    â€œHi, Gage, do you have a minute?”
    â€œI always have a minute for you, Pepper.”
    Okay, now I had to sit down because my knees went weak. I climbed up on the edge of one of my wrought iron barstools.
    â€œWhat’s up?”
    â€œI have this female client who wants to propose to her boyfriend.” I ran my hand