The painting was still there. I took it off the wall. Then I heard someone say my name. I turned. It was Willow. She was dressed in purple as usual, with a lavender scarf holding back her dark hair.
“You found Brian,” she said.
“I did. And your brother. I’m sorry you won’t have clear title to the land.”
She made a face. Then she shrugged. “Who knows how that’s going to turn out? It looks like Rick’s going to be in jail for a while. I’ve hired a lawyer to deal with it. I’ve got more important things to do, like my pottery.” She paused. “I’m really glad Brian is all right, and home with his family. I like him a lot. Probably more than I should. I won’t be seeing him again.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
Willow nodded, then looked critically at the watercolor I was holding. “That’s really lovely. The artist does good work.”
“It’s a birthday present for my father,” I said. “He’s a birder. I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.”
“I’m sure he will, too. But you should get something for yourself.”
“Maybe I will.”
I watched as Willow went outside and got into her car. As she drove off, I turned and walked back to the cash register, setting the watercolor on the glass surface near the cash register.
Then I stepped over to the shelves displaying Willow’s pottery. I picked up the asymmetrical green platter I liked so much and carried it to the counter.
Author’s Afterword
The cultivation of Marijuana on public land is a major problem in California, where pot plantations have been found on state and federal property. Courtesy of Neal Benson, who is a retired forester from the California Division of Forestry, I learned of this US Forest Service video on YouTube, which shows vivid and disturbing scenes of the horrific environmental destruction caused by these farms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFNe_KZhPZw
These are public lands. That means they belong to all of us, and these lands are being trashed for financial gain.
About the Author
Janet Dawson is the author of eleven novels about PI Jeri Howard. Kindred Crimes won the St. Martin’s Press/PWA best first PI novel contest, also earning Shamus, Macavity, and Anthony nominations. Her short stories include a Shamus nominee and a Macavity winner. She is past president of the Northern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and lives in California’s East Bay region.
Mystery fiction by Janet Dawson
THE JERI HOWARD MYSTERY SERIES
Kindred Crimes
Take a Number
Don’t Turn Your Back on the Ocean
Nobody’s Child
A Credible Threat
Witness to Evil
Where the Bodies Are Buried
A Killing at the Track
Bit Player
Cold Trail
SHORT STORIES
Scam and Eggs
SUSPENSE FICTION
What You Wish For
Death Rides the Zephyr