Chapter 41
More on Susie’s Wiles while Sleuthing
We took the Land Yacht to Miami Beach on Sunday to swim in the ocean, Sally looking especially good in a halter-top and short-shorts. Sally called her 92-year-old uncle in North Palm Beach, and informed us, “He’s really looking forward to our visit. He’s a really lonely old-guy. Our visit is a big deal for him – I’m so glad you guys didn’t nix the visit – but . . . but he’s insisting we not show up ‘til Friday.
“He wants to show us this ‘Holiday Boat Parade,’ and it’s not until Friday. I don’t know what a ‘boat parade’ is, but I hope you guys go along with me on this – he’s family – and I don’t want to let him down. He’s been counting on this for four months.”
“Besides,” Jack said, trying to help Sally out, “it’s sunny! It’s warm! We’re in Florida! There’s Key West to visit. Let’s stay the week and give those unlucky Rumpkins stuck in snowdrifts up north something to view – and by the way – doesn’t Sally B look great! Patty, turn the camera on.”
So we encamped at Peggy’s for the week and went our separate ways. The Rover, with Jack, Steve and Sally aboard, went down to Key West to do some deep-sea fishing – Sally’s idea. Patty and Huck stayed at Patty’s movie producer friend’s place. Max, Rocky and Skip held down the fort in South Miami. Keeping it to herself, Sally was miffed about Max passing-up a chance to go deep sea fishing – maybe the best fishing of the whole trip – and opting, instead, to hang back with Skip and Rocky. “Is he bothered by how I’ve taken to Jack?” she thought.
After everybody else left for Key West, waitress Susie was back in touch with Skip and Rocky. There was a new guy in Boulder who was coming into the Chat & Chew regularly, once with Charlie Furbush. “He’s been smilin’ at me, winking. Maybe if I come on a little? Maybe I can crack this case,” Susie said more as a statement than a question, puffing up her sleuthing ability.
“Yeah, go for it, girl,” Rocky said. “Is he good-looking?” We figured Susie was going to be successful. She was an eye-popping, fun-loving, go-for-it type. Nicely endowed, she knew how to put a sway to her walk when she wanted to catch a guy’s eye.