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town had come to meet me under the awning of Johnson’s General Store. I tried to stay positive, smiling, waving at a few. Most of them just darted their eyes away as if I had a second head. I decided it was the way I dressed that kept me from fitting in. I’d have to rummage through my luggage for more conservative clothes.
    Because they’d totally fall in love with me if I looked like a townie. Right? A girl could dream.
    A black and white police car pulled up next to me before I’d walked less than a block, and that’s when I met Sheriff Taylor and his wife, Jean. I looked around, fully expecting Aunt Bea and Opie to show up any minute.
    â€œHello, hello. Welcome to Peculiar.” Jean’s hair was pulled back in a loose bun, neatly held together by a dozen bobby pins I could see when she turned her head. Her hair shone in the sunlight, glittering with strands of silver. She looked middle-aged, except for the eyes. The skin around them was flawless, apart from the slight darkness that made her look as if she hadn’t slept the night before, or the night before that. She glanced around at my truck and open U-Haul. “Is there something we can help you with?”
    At last, friendlies. “No, thank you. Babel and Jo Jo have it under control, but I appreciate the offer.”
    Sheriff Taylor, a short and stocky man, cocked his eyebrow at me. “Uhm, I think there’s been a mistake, darlin’.”
    The use of “darlin’” (no “g”) was said in such a way that it didn’t sound like he was being condescending. I figured it was just the way people must talk in the Ozarks. Besides, I hadn’t introduced myself, and maybe it was his way of asking who I was.
    â€œSunny.” I held out my hand. “Sunny Haddock. And there’s no mistake.”
    Jean gave me the eye. It was the same look my geometry professor used to give me when I wasn’t getting a concept, but he thought I really should. Pure disappointment.
    Sheriff Taylor stepped toward me, which made me nervous, so I took a step back toward the diner.
    â€œYoung lady,” he said in an official way. “This isn’t a town you want to live in.”
    â€œOh, yes, I do.” What was wrong with these people? I was feeling less than welcome for certain, and frankly, I’d had enough. “Look, even if my best friend hadn’t gone missing a week ago, this diner is half mine. In other words, I own a small piece of this town. The other half belongs to Chav, the only person who has a chance in hell of getting me to go anywhere. You know, I didn’t expect a lot when I made plans with her to come here.” Maybe a small parade, some confetti, the local marching band, and some banners…“But, I didn’t expect animosity. And just what are you doing to find Chavvah? Maybe you should be more concerned about what’s happened to her and less about running me out of town, because I’m certainly not going anywhere until I see for myself that Chav’s okay.”
    He cocked his head sideways, sizing me up. For a minute there, I had a vision (again, not a psychic vision) of the sheriff pushing me against his vehicle, handcuffing me, and hauling my ass to jail. I resisted the urge to run back and jump into the Toyota and head for the hills. Instead, I pulled my shoulders back, held my chin high. Perfect position if someone wanted to knock me out.
    The sheriff shrugged and tilted his head toward the shop. “I don’t think you’ll be staying too long.”
    â€œAnd you would know this how?”
    â€œCall it a hunch, darlin’.” He tipped his official sheriff’s hat. “Keep your tail tucked and your head low.”
    That was the oddest send-off I’d ever heard. “Uh, whatever.”
    Jean smiled a tolerant smile and patted my hand. “He just means stay safe, sugar. Oh, and…” she leaned in close and whispered,