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“Great,” Carlita groaned. “Elvira called several times and sent two urgent texts. I better find out what’s going on.”

“Can it wait until after we eat?” Mercedes asked.

“You’re right. Why ruin a perfectly good meal?” She started to put her phone away.

Ting.

“There she is again.” Carlita sighed heavily. “I might as well answer it. If not, she’s going to keep pestering me.”

“I’m hungry,” Violet pouted.

“Here. Have a cracker.” Mercedes pulled a pack of snack crackers from the bag and handed it to her.

Carlita pressed the answer button. “Hello, Elvira.”

“Hey, Carlita. Why didn’t you call me back?”

“Which time? The first, second, third or fourth time?”

“I only called three times. Well, I guess this would be my fourth. What’s going on down there?”

“What do you mean?”

“Dernice sent me some pictures of the damage to my ductwork. She said someone broke in.”

“It was after last night’s fundraiser.” Carlita started to explain what had happened.

Elvira cut her off. “I already heard. So, who was it?”

“We don’t know. From what we can tell, two people were involved. They attended the fundraiser and purchased a raffle ticket for Colby’s Corner Store.”

“And then they broke into the place because they didn’t win?” Elvira asked incredulously.

“Maybe. I mean, I suppose anything is possible. I’ve already talked to Ken. They took some snacks, supplements and energy drinks.”

“But no cash or other goods?”

“Nope.”

“It doesn’t make sense. What did they get from the pawn shop?”

“Nothing. They busted out the upstairs window to nowhere.”

“Whoever it is doesn’t sound very bright,” Elvira scoffed. “Dernice said they didn’t take anything from my place either. I have a theory.”

“About the burglary?”

“Yeah. The only reason my place was hit is because it’s right next door to your pawn shop.”

“That’s a pretty flimsy theory,” Carlita said. “I was thinking more along the lines of you bragging to the wrong people about your quest for riches and gold, which made you a target.”

“Not as flimsy as blaming it on me,” Elvira blustered. “I can tell you one thing. If they get caught, they’re going to pay for the damage to my place.”

“The burglar didn’t damage the ductwork.” Carlita knew as soon as the words were out of her mouth she’d made a mistake…and inadvertently thrown Dernice under the bus.

“What do you mean? They tore it apart.”

“I…uh. Not quite.”

“Hold up. If they weren’t the ones who damaged my property who was it? Did you try crawling in there?”

“It wasn’t me.” Carlita briefly closed her eyes. “I’m sorry I said anything.”

“Dernice. Dernice was the one who got stuck in the ductwork and had to be cut out. I knew it. She’s a terrible liar.”

“Your sister was only trying to help. The damage isn’t that bad. I’m sure it can easily be repaired.”

“She’s going to get an earful,” Elvira ranted. “I’ve only been gone for a couple of days and the place is already falling apart.”

“It’s not falling apart. Seriously, you should rethink chewing Dernice out. She was only trying to retrieve a potential clue. Besides, do you think it’s wise to get onto her while you’re on the other side of the country and she’s running things?”

Carlita could hear light tapping on the other end of the line.

“No,” Elvira finally said. “I can’t have her walking off the job now.”

“Like I said, it’s not too bad, and she was only trying to help.”

“Yeah.” Elvira’s voice grew calmer. “Dernice can be a little impulsive at times, but she has a good heart.”

“Like someone else I know,” Carlita teased.

“We’re definitely related.”

“So, how’s it going up there?”

“Alaska is pretty. I’m getting settled in. The accommodations leave a lot to be desired.” Elvira lowered her voice. “Believe me, I’m not complaining. The head guy is a sexy hunk.”

“You find him attractive, I take it?”

She made a popping sound with her lips. “He’s hot in a rugged sort of way.”

“What about Sharky?”

“What about him?”

“Does he know you’re there?”

“I’ve been sending him a few clues. I think he’s figuring it out.”

“Well…good luck.”

“Thanks.”

Carlita started to say goodbye. Elvira stopped her. “Hey.”

“What?”

“Can you keep an eye on the place? I wouldn’t be surprised if these clowns show up again and actually take something this time.”

“The Walton Square community has been notified. There will be lots of eyes and ears on the lookout.”

“Cool.” Elvira’s voice grew muffled. “I gotta go. Ciao.”

“Do you…” It was too late. Elvira had hung up.

Mercedes watched her mother slide her cell phone back into her purse. “How is she?”

“Wound up tighter than a top. I sure hope she knows what she’s doing in Alaska.”

“Elvira has officially been let loose in the last frontier.” Mercedes rolled her eyes. “Hopefully, she behaves herself.”

The same uneasy feeling Carlita had gotten when she dropped Elvira off at the airport returned. Something told her the woman would come home with some hair-raising tales to share—and none of them would involve interactions with Alaska’s wildlife.