IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO CATCH A THIEF

Loretta Toole walked spritely along until she came to the little white gate. She gave a sigh of satisfaction as she took in her tiny blue house with its white door, white trim and shutters. Loretta smiled a secret smile. She knew she didn't look like much in her favorite dark green dress, which hung straight to mid-calf, the hem slightly irregular, and wearing her old-woman shoes. She would be the first to admit that her beaky nose, thin pale cheeks and mostly gray hair, carefully contained in a bun at the nape of her neck, made her look like exactly what she was, an old spinster who was nosily curious. There was a certain serenity about Loretta Toole; her self-effacing demeanor encouraged confidences; which was important in her line of work, for Loretta Toole was a "private inquiry" agent; more subtle and less obtrusive, than a "private eye." Loretta scanned the hand-delivered missive: Miss Toole. You've got to help us. Lots of things have been stolen from a bunch of us. Please can't you figure out who's stealing our stuff? We don't want to blame anyone, but the thefts didn't start until that movie crew came to town. Deputy Budge, can't seem to figure it out; at least he's never caught anyone stealing stuff. Which makes you our last best hope. Signed: a victim … one of many

Year

2022

Series

Loretta Toole

Publisher

Independent

Editions

1

Pages

179

ISBN

9798823996792

Data source: Wikidata