It didn't take long for me to find out Vivian wasn't at work and I contemplated just going back to Petunia's when her manager, Margaret Peadly, informed me of that fact. Except that she then filled in the rest of the information, prompting a fresh inspiration. "Vivian is home today," Margaret said. "She always takes Monday off."

Huh. Good to know, though why Vivian would take such a random day to herself I had no idea but was suddenly eager to find out. Margaret's ...