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The gal behind the bar placed her hands on her hips. “We got these in last Thursday and have already gone through a box.”

Liz made a choking sound. “You just got these in? I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”

“I’m Pam. These new matchbooks came in less than a week ago. We’re selling twice as many cigars and packs of cigarettes.” The bartender tapped the side of her forehead. “Like I said, Kip is into this buyer motivation thing and I have to admit, it sure looks like he’s onto something.”

Ruth leaned an elbow on the bar, casually looking around. “Someone has been hanging around our friend’s place late at night. They left part of a Montabello cigar and one of your empty matchbooks along the side of the road. We’re trying to figure out who it was.”

“We don’t sell a lot of that brand. Like I said, the Old Toes brand is our bestseller.”

“Have you sold any of the Montabello cigars since the new matchbooks became available?” Gloria asked.

Pam thought about it. “No. Not that I can recall, but it doesn’t mean we didn’t. I’m the full-time day shifter here at the bar. We sell a lot more cigars and cigarettes to the late night and weekend crowds.” She told them most of the locals preferred the stinky brand. “Carrie, our other bartender, might have. She’ll be here in about half an hour.”

Liz thanked the woman. The group made their way to the small eating area at the back of the bar.

“Well?” Liz asked as soon as they were seated. “Echo’s stalker appears to have spent some time in here, bought a cigar and took a book of matches before staking her place out last night. ”

“Now, all we need is to identify the person.” Ruth fiddled with her phone. “I found a photo of Appolina. Our next step is to ask both bartenders if they’ve ever seen this guy.”

A server appeared. She took their orders, and while they waited, Pam stopped by their table. “I was thinking about the cigar thing. I sold one the night before last. The dude made a big deal about the cost and how much cheaper he could get it over in Detroit. Yada, yada.”

Liz, who had taken a sip of her Diet Coke, started choking. “Did you say he mentioned being from Detroit?”

“Sure did. He was a short guy, kinda pudgy around the middle. His gray hair was a little thin on the top.”

Ruth held up her cell phone and the photo of Senator Appolina. “Was this the guy? ”

Pam’s eyes squinted as she studied the picture. “It’s possible. He had a nasal voice, like he had allergies or something.”

A customer called her over, and she excused herself.

“It could have been Appolina,” Christi said.

Echo shivered involuntarily. “Maybe he sent another henchman. I mean would he actually drive all the way to the other side of the state to track me down?”

“A possible scenario is he hired Grotto. Something went wrong. He took Grotto out and decided to handle the matter—meaning you—himself,” Gloria theorized.

The burgers and fries arrived, and Liz wolfed hers down, realizing the only thing she’d eaten was the donut Dot had brought to the house. A lot had happened in a short amount of time. Echo’s attempted break-in, learning about Mick Grotto’s death, Sheriff Nelson hauling Echo off to the station for questioning, finding the possible DNA sample and turning it in, finding the matchbook and part of a cigar.

“I’m stuffed.” Liz patted her stomach. “Investigating and hunting for clues is hard work.”

“The food was delish.” Christi peeled a sliver of cheese off her plate and licked her finger. “I can’t remember the last time I went out to eat. Darren and I hardly ever go anywhere. He travels a lot and by the time he gets home, all he wants to do is stay there. It gets boring and lonely.”

“You should hang out with Liz more,” Ruth teased. “She’ll keep you from being bored.”

“Bored?” Liz muttered. “I haven’t had a moment’s peace since…”

“You married Floyd. You know you love every minute of the chaos.” Gloria wagged her finger at her sister.

“It’s true. My life is a lot more exciting now. ”

“You make a cute couple,” Christi said.

“Thanks and thank you for letting us take a look at your cameras. I think we’re closer to figuring this one out,” Liz said. “It’s only a matter of time.”

The server arrived with the check, and Liz was quick to grab it off the table. “My treat. Now that I think about it, one of the last times I ate out was when Echo and I had dinner at Green Springs Café.”

“Back in the good old days, when I wasn’t being investigated and someone wasn’t trying to take me out,” Echo said.

Liz patted her hand. “Don’t worry. The Garden Girls are on the case. They’ll get to the bottom of it.” Out of the corner of her eye, she watched a woman enter through the backdoor. She made her way behind the counter and to the other end of the bar, where Pam was waiting on customers.

The women huddled close together, casually glancing in their direction .

Echo grabbed the end of her straw and jabbed at the ice in her glass. “The bartenders are talking about us.”

“What can you tell us about them?” Echo had admitted to Liz not long after they met that she was a people-watcher. She loved studying them and trying to figure out what made them tick.

“Pam is married. Her husband’s name, or maybe her son’s name, is Evan. She digs motorcycles and her dye job is called lavender tips,” Echo said.

Christi lifted a brow. “That’s impressive. How do you know all of that?”

“Her tats…tattoos. She’s wearing a wedding band unless that’s for show, to keep the bar creepers from hitting on her,” Echo said. “I haven’t had enough time to gather intel on the other chick, the one I’m assuming is Carrie. Here she comes now…”

The woman tied an apron on as she waltzed across the floor. She stopped when she reached their table. “Hello,” she sing-songed. “I’m Carrie, one of Kip’s other bartenders. Pam was telling me you’re looking for someone who may have been in here buying a Montabello.”

“We are. It would have been recently and around the same time Kip switched over to those fancy foil matchbooks.” Ruth showed her the photo of Appolina still on her phone. “Does this man look familiar?”

Carrie shook her head. “No. I’ve sold a few of that brand cigar, but only to locals. She also said one of you was possibly being stalked.”

“Me.” Echo lifted a hand. “At least it’s looking that way.”

“I’ve had a stalker or two in my day, mostly older men who come in here thinking they can slip me a twenty and I’ll be their date for the night, if you know what I mean.”

Liz pressed a hand to her chest. “How awful. They want you to… ”

“Hook up with them for a few extra bucks.” The woman chattered on about some of the customers until Pam flagged her down. “I gotta get to work. Good luck finding the person.”

After paying the bill, Liz and the others headed back to the van for the short drive to the farm.

Christi was the first to leave, claiming her ankle was throbbing. “Thanks for including me today. I’ll keep a close eye on the cameras and let you know if I see anything else.”

Ruth was next. She told them to let her know when Brian got the DNA test results back, and they promised that they would.

Liz, along with Gloria and Echo, let the pups out and then headed to the mobile home to take a closer look at the back door.

Liz snapped a picture and forwarded it to Floyd. She followed up with a phone call, asking him to bring a piece of plywood home so they could cover the door until they were able to have the glass replaced.

“How is Echo?”

“She’s glad the sheriff didn’t arrest her. We think we might be onto something, but don’t have anything definite yet.”

“I’m sure between the police and Gloria, you’ll figure out who it is.”

“Hopefully before they get to Echo.” Liz ended the call and joined her tenant and sister, who were hanging out in the living room. “Floyd is bringing some plywood home to cover the window. What’s next?”

“We wait for the DNA results from Brian,” Gloria said. “We wait to see if Sheriff Nelson is able to get a license plate number.”

“Until then, I’m a sitting duck.” Echo cast an anxious glance toward the driveway. “Whoever it is knows where to find me. This waiting is making me a nervous wreck. ”

“You could head over to the farm,” Liz suggested. “It will keep you busy and take your mind off all of this.”

“That’s a great idea.” Echo changed into work clothes and headed out. She promised to text Liz as soon as she got to the farm and Liz gave Floyd a heads-up that Echo was on her way to work.

Back at the RV, Gloria waited until her sister finished sending Floyd’s text. “Echo might not be completely innocent. If Appolina took the investigator and Echo’s colleague out, how did she escape?”

“With potential DNA to boot,” Liz said. “I wonder how much longer it will take for Brian to get back to us.”

“Let me give him a call.” Gloria left a message, asking Brian if he’d gotten an update.

Minutes later, her cell phone rang. “He’s calling. Hey, Brian.”

“Hey, Gloria. I was just getting ready to give you a call. The DNA test results are in.”