Camilla's hands were shaking badly when she went back into the restaurant.

"What's wrong?" Mila said, the instant she saw Camilla in the doorway.

"My car is gone."

"Gone? Seriously?" Mila went to the door window, coffeepot in hand. "Yep, you parked right there. Jessie Stokes' pickup is there now. You poor thing. Come sit."

Mila took her by the elbow and escorted her to the kitchen. "Constance, we need some tea. And bring me the phone, please." She pulled out a chair at the table tucked into a corner of the kitchen and motioned for Camilla to sit, and then she sat down opposite.

"I'm sorry," Camilla said. "You have folks you need to take care of. I can take care of this."

"Nonsense. Everything is running smoothly at the moment and Constance gets irritated with me if I hover while she cooks, right Constance?"

"Things lump in her presence," Constance replied. It was hard to tell whether she was joking or serious. She put a cup and saucer down in front of Camilla and handed Mila the phone, and left without another word.

But Mila grinned at Constance's back while she punched in a phone number. "Hi George. Mila here. It appears we've had a car stolen over here at The Eatery. No. No, a guest who is passing through from out of town." Mila covered the mouthpiece with her hand. "I've forgotten your name, dear."

"Camilla Preston." As Mila talked, Camilla's mind raced. Had she locked the car? She didn't remember but it was pretty much a habit for her to do so when got out. She had not set the alarm though. It was cold, the town was small and seemed friendly--though after Constance's greeting she found herself wondering where she'd gotten that idea to start with. What all was in that car? Clothes, books, art supplies. Not much. Nothing nearly as valuable as the car itself. Small relief. At least her important things were here in the computer case--ID, all her cash and cards, phone, computer, and thank God she'd taken the camera in on a whim. But good heavens, what was ahead?

Mila turned off the phone and reached over to pat her hand. "George is on his way over to get the paperwork going on this. I am so sorry."

"Not your fault. What a mess." Camilla sipped on the tea. Chamomile. Soothing. Good choice. She had to remember to thank Constance. "Thank you so much for your help."

"At least you are getting your color back. You looked like a ghost when you came back in. I was afraid you were sick. I doubt I could read if I were in your shoes but would you like a morning paper while you wait for George to get here?"

"Sure."

Camilla hadn't even gotten through the opening of the headline article when George Brothers, Sheriff arrived looking solid and in control. This wasn't a man who ate donuts regularly. He was large, muscular, greying a bit at the temples and in his mustache. His eyes were a piercing blue, and she was grateful when he sat down and turned his attention to papers instead of training them on her.

"So tell me what happened, Ms. Preston."

"I parked the car and came in to eat and when I went back out, it was gone." She cringed inside, because it was such an idiotic statement. He knew that much already.

"What time did you arrive?"

"I'm not certain. This place hadn't opened yet. I was looking for store hours when Constance came to turn the closed sign over and I startled her."

"About 5:30 AM then. So you parked the car. On which side of the building?"

"Out in one of the spaces facing the door. A bit to the left as you walk out."

"Why not closer to the door if no one else was parked in those places?"

"Because the place was closed and I was going to watch and wait for it to open."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Out of time for today I'm afraid...... :)