by Alexi Venice
“Cheers,” Tommy said, and they clinked glasses.
“I don’t know about you,” Amanda said, “but I feel kind of relieved. A break from work is just what I need right now.”
“How long do you have off?” Jen asked.
“Couple of weeks,” Tommy said then swigged his beer.
“I have an idea,” Jen said. “If I can get next week off, let’s go to my family lake cabin in northern Wisconsin.”
Tommy and Amanda spoke at the same time, she saying, “I don’t know,” and he saying, “That sounds great!”
Jen focused on Amanda. “What’s the hesitation?”
“Just…the great outdoors…. You know I like electricity and indoor plumbing.”
Jen burst out laughing.
“What?” Amanda asked.
“Pack your flat iron, babe. We’ll be staying in the guest cabin, which has both electricity and a lovely bathroom. My family has a compound on Sandy Lake. There are several cabins with all the comforts of home. Tommy will probably stay with my brother, Jake, in his cabin.”
“Oh, well then.” Amanda drank some wine. “I’m up for that.”
Jen put her arm around Amanda. “I’m going to teach you how to water ski.”
Tommy laughed at the panicked look on Amanda’s face.
***
Palo Alto
The next day
Carlos Montiago drove his 1967 gold Cadillac from the funeral home to the Montiago estate, Lindsay in the front seat and Carlos, Jr., in the back.
“That was the most painful thing I’ve ever done,” Lindsay said through tears.
“I’m sorry your mother died, especially so traumatically. Never forget that she loved you,” Carlos said, patting her leg.
“Why did they have to push her out of a window?” Lindsay asked.
“Chief Delmastro said your mom shot a police officer,” Carlos said, “then got in a fight with another officer. At some point during the fight, she fell out of the window. Thankfully, the SFPD isn’t publicizing the fact that she shot an officer. In fact, they’re not making a statement about any of it.”
“I’d like to know what the fuck was going on,” Junior demanded.
“We might never know,” Carlos said. “It’s better to let it go, son.”
“The media isn’t letting it go,” Junior said.
“That’s all fake news,” Carlos said.
“I don’t know…” Junior said.
“Don’t talk to the media either,” Carlos said.
Junior grumbled.
“Thank you for being here, Daddy,” Lindsay said.
“I’d do anything for you two. You know that, right?” He covered her hand with his.
“I want her funeral to be nice,” Lindsay said.
“We’ll make it nice,” Carlos said.
Lindsay cried some more then asked, “What’s going to happen to the company?”
“They’ve asked me to step in as interim CEO, so I have to run to work for a few hours after I drop you at home.”
“Good luck,” Lindsay said, giving his hand a squeeze. “I know you’ll be great.”
He pulled up to their front door and turned to both children. “We’ll get through this together.”
“When will you be home?” Lindsay asked.
“In a few hours,” he said. “Aunt Sherry is here, so she’ll look after you.”
“We’re adults,” Junior said. “We don’t need looking after.”
“I like her company,” Lindsay said, leaning over for a quick peck on Carlos’ cheek. She and Junior got out of the car and walked into the house.
Carlos quickly exited the estate, waving to the extra security at the end of their driveway. Once Carlos was on the road, he removed a pack of Dunhills and shook loose a cigarette. He put it in his mouth and pressed the archaic lighter in the dashboard. Thirty seconds later, it popped, and he held the glowing coil to the tip of the cigarette. There’s something special about the smell of an old car lighter against a cigarette, he thought, nostalgia filling him.
Inhaling deeply, he enjoyed every bit of sensation the cancer stick delivered. Thanks for introducing me to Dunhills, he said in an inner dialogue to Kara, picturing her smoking them as well. He glanced down at the cubby hole in the dash where a tube of Kara’s Stila lipstick was hiding. And thanks for loaning me a tube of your lipstick. He smiled, as he considered his clandestine dealings over the last few weeks. Detective Vietti never asked me about Jared Carlisle’s Tesla Roadster, so our arrangement must have withstood scrutiny.
***
THE END
***
Message from the Author
If you enjoyed Sativa Strain, I would appreciate your review on Amazon, Goodreads or your favorite online book retailer. In the sea of books out there, your review will serve as a life raft for me. Thank you.
***
It’s not too late to read the other books in The San Francisco Mystery Series: Bourbon Chase, Amanda’s Dragonfly, Stabscotch and Tinted Chapstick. All are available through your favorite online book retailer.
***
If you want to stay in the loop and up-to-date on my novels and latest news, visit my blog at https://alexiveniceblog.com. Entitled Empty Nest Does Not Mean Naked Nest, I explore the love of dogs, marriage, travel, good food, northern Wisconsin lake life, adult children, and all the things that make us laugh.
You can also catch up with me anytime on my website: https://www.alexivenice.com or her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/alexivenicenovels

Photo by Kara & Company, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Acknowledgements
My friend and coach, Jackie Barstad, has edited several of the CrossFit scenes in the San Francisco Mystery Series, and I’m deeply grateful. She also has listened to me prattle on endlessly about book plots during our workouts. While exciting to me, I’m sure she has wondered, at times, why the heck she had to be subjected to my ramblings.
My friend and colleague, Erin Skold, continues to edit books and blog posts as a hobby. However, her true passion and obsession is installing vinyl plank flooring.
Mik Burgraff is a fantastic editor and mystery sleuth. She has helped me immensely with plot structure and cobbling sentences together. I wish Mik well on her journey to visit every Howl at the Moon in the United States. We’ll always have San Antonio!
Susan McHugh has been a delight to work with and pose next to for photo shoots. I’ve gleaned through her attentive edits that she is not a fan of sloppy, wet kisses in any way, shape or form. Gotta respect that. No slobber, ladies.
I thank Dr. Sue for letting me interrupt her busy days with questions about all things medical.
A new member of the team, John, has been outstanding for his insights on the crime angle and police procedure. As it turns out, he also has quite a creative bent about relationships, too. Many thanks.
I discovered that my yoga instructor, Lori, is as precise an editor as she is an instructor. Thank you, Lori.
Despite inundating her with manuscripts, Reyka continues to proofread. I wish her well in her quest to have a glass of wine in every state and country.
Rob Bignell’s professional editing services rock.
Thank you to Melissa Levesque, Project Manager at eBookIt, Karen Carpenter, Formatter at eBookIt and Dawn Fisher, Designer at eBookIt.
Thanks to Linda Pophal for being my media relations rep.
I’m so grateful to the loving man in my life, my husband. I love his poetry and not only cherish receiving it but also collaborating with him to write Jen’s poetry.

Photo by Kara & Company, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
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