Gone To Glory. Ron/Janet Benrey

healthy and don’t want you to return to Chicago with a craving for chitlins and cornpone.”

      “I’m eating very well, thank you. Since Chicago Financial Insurance is paying my expenses I intend to sample all of the best restaurants in Glory—the kind that have lobster and filet on the menu. In fact, it’s approaching my usual dinnertime and I’m feeling a bit hungry.”

      “Bon appetit!” Kevin said with a laugh. “Let’s talk again tomorrow.”

      “Whatever!” She pressed the disconnect button.

      Lori turned off her computer and grabbed a lightweight jacket. Spring evenings could be cool in Glory. She ignored the stab of concern she felt as she left her room. There was a simple spring lock on her door, but every container in her room was unlocked: her suitcase, her camera case, her attaché case that held her computer and a folder full of travel brochures. This seeming indifference was in keeping with the laid-back persona she’d chosen. Christine Stanton would expect a “ditz” to behave that way. Better to risk a theft than raise unnecessary suspicions about herself. And besides, the odds of her room being burgled in a town like Glory were small.

      As Lori walked toward the front door, she saw Christine sitting in the parlor, reading what looked like a thick law book.

      “That’s definitely heavy reading,” Lori said.

      Christine raised her eyes. “Out to take more pictures?”

      Lori stepped into the parlor. “No. I’m in the mood for a short walk then a good meal.”

      “Well, you can’t do much better than a stroll along the Glory Strand, down by the waterside. Turn left when you leave the Captain and take another left on Dock Street. Keep walking, you’ll end up at the start of the Strand.”

      “Left, left and walk. Got it.”

      “When you get to the end of Dock Street, look to your right and you’ll see the Glory at Sea Marina. There are a couple of fine seafood restaurants nearby. The Glorious Catch is big and fancy. The Fisherman’s Inn is small and cozy.”

      “The Fisherman’s Inn sounds perfect. I’m kinda gloried-out.”

      “Good choice. The Tuesday night special is usually homemade Maryland-style crab cakes.”

      “Yum!”

      Lori had taken several small steps into the parlor during the brief conversation, bringing her close enough to Christine to read the spine of book she held: Litigating Financial Fraud.

      Lori nodded at Christine and backed out of the room. She would have to track down the book on the Internet and find out if it was a text for beginners or experts. That would be a useful bit of information to know. But it certainly could wait until after she ate her fill of crab cakes.