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say, someone had paying tenants, but the city didn’t know about it?”
    “The owner would be charged for running an illegal boardinghouse. And fines and other injunctions would be imposed. They would be shut down and taken to court.” José raised an eyebrow. “This situation wouldn’t apply to you, would it?”
    “Oh no, they’re her relatives. You know, guests. Nonpaying. Nothing to hide here.” Cat frowned at José. “Why do you think that?”
    “Let’s see. I had two friends who impersonated police officers as well as the same two who broke into an office. Gee, I have no idea why I’d think that any of my friends would break the law.” José smirked.
    “Hey, Annie Mae and Cat may have done those things, but they solved Lucy’s murder. So in the end, it all washed out,” I said.
    Cat nodded. “Indeed. We got the job done.”
    “Back to my original question. Bezu, why are you asking me about an illegal boardinghouse?” José asked.
    “Well, I, um, may be getting money from the people staying with me.” I motioned toward the ceiling where all the bedrooms were.
    “Good for you. I think they should contribute to your expenses since they all stay such a long time. I’m sure your electric bill goes up.” Cat held her palms up.
    José folded his arms on his chest.
    “Actually”—I swallowed—“they are, well, were, all complete strangers, and they pay me rent.”
    José tsked, throwing his hands in the air.
    Cat’s face lit up. “That’s terrific!”
    José knit his eyebrows as he looked at Cat. “What are you talking about? Bezu just admitted she’s breaking the law.”
    “But she also just admitted that all the people here, who we thought were her relatives, are really complete strangers.” Cat had the biggest grin on her face.
    “Yeah, so?” José grunted.
    “That’s huge.” Cat clapped her hands.
    What was Cat getting at?
    José shrugged his shoulders. “I am way beyond confused now.”
    “See? That means the cutie Latin guy, Xavier, and Bezu can date.” Cat smiled. “It won’t be incest.”
    Rolling his eyes, José let out a deep breath.
    “Um, Cat, I have much bigger things to think about than that.” I added, “Remember the departed gentleman upstairs?”
    “Right. I’m sorry. I’m just so tired and a little woozy from the drinks earlier.” Cat slit her eyes and looked at me. “What are you going to do?”
    “José and Cat, I’m so sorry,” I said. “But I think this is going to become a big mess. I really don’t want to get y’all tangled up sideways in it.”
    “Don’t worry about me. This may not be my case, but you’re my friend, so I’ll help you out as much as I can.” José gave me a hug. I took in the comforting smell of his signature musk cologne.
    “It’s not a problem for me.” Cat reached over and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
    “What do I do now, José, about my tenants? I don’t want to throw them out on the street,” I asked.
    “Nothing. Right now, the way I see it, the police will be focused on the death, and it will take awhile for them to pass along information to the zoning department. If they do it at all. Sometimes things fall through the cracks.” José glanced around. “So just sit tight.”
    “But it’s only going to be a matter of time before I get shut down.” I sat on the couch as the room started to close in on me, and I felt faint, weak, and dizzy. My breath was shallow and short. I felt sweaty and had heart palpitations. Feeling a panic attack coming on, I did the breathing exercise Hattie had taught me when this had happened before. Sitting still, I took in a strong, slow inhale followed by a loud, deliberate exhale. “I’m going to be on edge every time the doorbell rings.”
    “Listen to José and just let it go for now.” Cat seated herself next to me.
    Unhurriedly I sucked in another breath and let it out gradually. “Fine.”
    “You look a little pale. Are you