Bones & Boxes: a Hetty Fox Cozy Mystery (Hetty Fox Cozy Mysteries Book 1) by Anna Drake

thought perhaps the friend might know how Hank had been spending his time here.”
    “I thought he was finishing things up at the house.”
    “He was. But perhaps he had something else on his plate. Something he might have told his friend about.”
    Chester sighed. “You think he was up to something?”
    “I think he was checking on a few things, yes.”
    “I wish I knew what they were.”
    “Do you know which of his friends still live here?”
    “Not a clue. Probably not many.. Most of us have to leave if we want to find a good job. It’s a great place to grow up and to raise kids in, but career opportunities here are slim.”
    “Would you call me if you think of the name of the person he might have been seeing?”
    “You think what he told this friend might matter?”
    “I think if we could could figure out what he was tracking, we’d learn who killed your aunt and brother.”
    “Wow.”
    “That’s only If there’s not some other reason behind the murder that we know nothing about,” Rose chimed in.
     
    ***
     
    “Yippee,” Andrew crowed, as he popped back into the living room.
    My knitting needles nearly flew out of my hands. “Would you quit doing that?”
    “What?”
    “Suddenly turning up like that.”
    “Did I startle you?”
    “No, my heart’s only beating at twice its normal rate for the fun of it.”
    “I am sorry. But I was so excited.”
    “You’ve learned something else?”
    “Yeah, Hubbard finally let his hair down today.”
    “What did he say?”
    “He’s scared out of his gourd for his future. He’s terrified he’s going to be replaced by a computer.”
    “Ah, there’s a lot of that going round these days.”
    “According to Hubbard, computers are a real problem for bank officers like him. Apparently, there isn’t a report he can produce that a computer can’t come up with more quickly and at a much lower cost.”
    I set my knitting aside. “I hadn’t considered that. But it makes sense. A lot of jobs are being replaced by machines.”
    “He says at his age, he’d never find another position that would pay him what he’s currently earning.”
    “So getting his hands on Carrie’s money might have appealed to him.”
    “Sounds like it to me.”
    “Who did he confess his fears to?”
    “His assistant. He took her to lunch. She’d been badgering him, wanting to know what he thought her chances were of advancement. But by the time Hubbard unloaded his fears, she was almost in tears. She’s worried about her future, now.”
    “Well done, Andrew.”
    He beamed.
    “I really did love you, you know.”
    “I know,” he said. “I’ve never doubted that.”
    I gave him a parting nod. Then I grabbed my checkbook and headed for my car. Hubbard had told me if I ever needed any banking help to come and see him. Today seemed as good a day as any.
    The First National Bank of Hendricksville was a red brick affair. It occupied a good chunk of one block on the north side of the downtown square. It’s exterior was imposing, but the interior was more relaxed, and its employees were for the most part very friendly. At least they’d appeared that way to me when I’d set up my checking and savings accounts a few short weeks ago.
    Today I walked up to a young woman manning the reception desk. “May I help you?’ she asked.
    “I’d like to see Mr. Hubbard, please.”
    My wish was her instant mission, and within a few minutes, Tom Hubbard came wandering down a hallway toward me, his beefy hand extended. “I’m so glad you decided to come in.”
    Guilt reached out and slapped me on the  nose. I didn’t like deceiving people, not even for a good cause. “Since moving, I’ve been putting of some decisions. I  thought you might give me some financial advice.”
    He nodded gravely. “I’m only too glad to help.” He ushered me down the hall and into a small office. It was done up in muted tones of gray and taupe. A black onyx pen set decorated his desk, while the