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continued. “I wanted to talk to you before. When I saw you were busy inside I left you alone, but I’ve got some ideas about properties that I want to run by you.”
    I wondered how Gemma had avoided speaking with her—or if she had. “Thank you,” I said, to be polite, “but I really don’t have time to deal with that now. And as I’ve told you, I’m really not in that much of a hurry.”
    â€œThat’s what Gemma said, too.” Flora’s glossy mouth turned down into a pout. As before, she was all dressed up, almost like a model rather than a real estate agent, but I figured that was her style. “She had some help in the bookstore, like you do here, but she wouldn’t tear herself away to talk to me.” Flora glanced around. “Is everything okay here?”
    â€œOf course.” But I saw her studying some of the shelves we’d had to restock. She surely hadn’t been here enough to notice any difference, had she? Just in case, I said, “We were conducting a quick inventory earlier, so things might be organized a little differently, if that’s what you’re wondering about.”
    â€œOh. I thought I saw—is that salt on the floor?” She turned and pointed down.
    Had we missed some? Apparently so, since there were tiny grains on the polished wooden floor, right behind where Flora stood.
    â€œJust to be safe, feel free to toss some of it over your shoulder,” I said. I’d dare fate this time and not do it. I’d joined everyone in the ritual before, even though none of us were responsible for spilling the salt in the first place.
    â€œOf course.” She knelt down, picked up a few granules, and stood again, tossing the grains over her shoulder.
    I was glad Pluckie’s leash wouldn’t let her come this far, since I didn’t want her licking up salt. Was that unlucky for dogs? I doubted it was healthy.
    â€œExcuse me.” I went to the sales counter, where I pulled a roll of paper towels from beneath it, moistened one from the bottle of water I kept there, and hurried back to wipe up the rest of the salt.
    I heard murmurs from customers around the area, including questions to one another about whether they’d seen who’d spilled the salt and whether it was okay to stay in the shop even if they hadn’t spilled it themselves.
    When I stood again, I smiled and turned around. “Hey, everyone, it’s a game. I’m not sure how the salt got there either, but it’s good to hear that most of you know about the superstition surrounding spilled salt. Just in case, I’m going to knock on the wooden floor it was spilled on and invoke good luck on each of you, and on the Lucky Dog Boutique.” Which I did. When I was done, I slipped through the crowd, which still contained Flora, and returned to the counter.
    Martha was there now, appearing concerned. “I like how you handled that,” she said softly, “but do we know how that salt got there? I thought we got rid of all of it before.”
    I shook my head. “So did I, but we must have missed some. Anyway, I think we’re all good now.”
    â€œMe too.” Flora had followed me to the counter. “In fact, this afternoon would be a good and lucky time for me to show you, and Gemma too, some of the houses and condos I’ve been checking out on your behalf. I can examine them for spilled salt before we enter.”
    â€œThanks,” I said, “but it’ll have to wait.” Not that I hadn’t told her that before.
    â€œBut—” Flora didn’t finish her objection, since she saw me staring toward the front door and turned to see what I was looking at. No, not what, but whom.
    Mayor Bevin Dermot had just entered the Lucky Dog.
    As far as I was aware, our illustrious mayor wasn’t owned by a dog or any other pet, so he most likely wasn’t here to buy something for a loved one.