FOUR
Penelope Hardwood walked into Rachel’s office. She turned to speak to someone still in the hallway. “Just wait for me,” she said, then turned toward Rachel.
“Good morning, Penelope.”
Penelope was a sweet woman and a long-time resident in the Breezeway Condominium. She was also Rachel’s spy. Whenever someone was misbehaving, Penelope had an uncanny way of being present and then reporting the incident to Rachel.
“Yes, it is a good morning, isn’t it?” Penelope answered. “I have my condo fee here.”
The old woman placed a check on Rachel’s desk, sliding it toward her with one bony finger.No one had ever seen her wearing anything but a loose housedress with a heavy cardigan hugged close to her body. Even in the common ninety-five-degree temperatures of Florida. Today was no exception.
