Chapter 2

I drove to work. Aunt Phyllis was waiting for my inventory, and I knew she’d be pissed since I’d taken an extra day. I’d messed up when I texted her that I had finished, then ran into Brenda and ... well, that happened.

When I walked in, Phyllis didn’t shout, but her tone made it clear she was upset as she asked why I’d taken the extra day, which would now delay the start of the estate sale.

I simply said something unexpected had come up as I made eye contact with her.

There was that camera flash again.

We stood there looking at each other until I could see myself through her eyes. Not again.

Suddenly, I understood what Phyllis was thinking:

I need to get this estate sale finished. Two individuals are very interested in something in the estate. Neither will tell me what they want, only that they want the entire estate untouched. Both offered to buy it immediately, almost demanding I not touch anything. What could they be after? Is something in there worth a significant amount of money? My business gives me legal control of estates that don’t have anyone to claim them by court order. The entire estate, everything is legally owned by my business right now—if only I could find out what they are after and determine what it’s worth.

Phyllis then asked point‑blank if there was anything out of the ordinary—anything that stood out. She said there was serious interest in the estate and she wanted to know if anything of value had been found.

I paused, wondering if I should tell her what happened, but decided against it. Instead, I said it took longer than expected, which was why I had to spend the night. I claimed I’d worked too hard and overslept, then lied about car trouble requiring me to stay an additional night. I quickly added that I slept in the cabin both nights using my go‑bag. She knew about my go‑bag; it had saved her money on motel rooms when I had to work multiple days on inventories.

I felt Aunt Phyllis relax and caught a quick thought: maybe I’d finally met a cute girl and spent the night with her. She added that I should have a girlfriend at my age.

I asked if she wanted me to handle the estate sale or give it to Michelle. Michelle was one of two regular non‑family employees. Aunt Phyllis’ brother sometimes helped with construction work for estate sales—Uncle Mack, a licensed contractor with everything needed to build or repair anything. Teri was the second employee, the office manager and accountant who also did part‑time tax work when not busy with Phyllis’ business.

Michelle preferred estate sales, and I preferred inventories, so it usually worked out. But Michelle had gone out on an inventory because I hadn’t returned yesterday, so I’d have to start and finish this estate sale myself.

Phyllis told me to get the contact information from Teri and see what I could find out about what the buyers wanted. I told her I was on it and went looking for Teri.

Teri was at her desk—as usual. Even at lunchtime she was there, either eating take‑out or something she’d brought.

When I called out to her, she turned, and when we made eye contact—camera flash. Again. We froze, staring wide‑eyed. A swirling sensation hit me, and then I felt what Teri was thinking:

Damn, if Deke was a dyke and didn’t have a dick, I would so jump his bones. Shit, what am I thinking.

Teri quickly asked what I needed, saying she was in the middle of an important report.

I smiled, licked my lips seductively on purpose, and said I needed the contact information for the estate I’d just inventoried, giving her the inventory number.

Teri got flustered and took a moment before writing down the information and handing it to me. I could sense she was seriously distressed and wondered if I’d pushed too far.