My sneakers hit the concrete with a thud as I began my run. Early morning was the best time to run on the historic San Antonio River Walk, with the lack of tourists and cooler temps.
“Hi, Liz!” a deep voice called out.
I turned toward the river and saw one of the colorful riverboats moving up alongside me. “Hi, Carlos!”
“Wanna race?” Carlos asked as he guided his flat-bottomed boat around a family of slow-moving ducks.
“Only if you drive like you have a boatful of tourists. Or full throttle. I want to see waves!” I teased.
“You’re on. Full throttle it is.”
I adjusted my stance, poised like a track star waiting for the starter’s pistol.
Carlos revved the engine.
The chiming sound of a bicycle bell drew our attention.
A police officer riding a bicycle approached us. “Now, y’all weren’t about to break any laws on our River Walk, were you?” Officer Marcus Sanders’ eyes twinkled. His smile bright against his dark skin.
Carlos returned his boat to a quiet idle. “It was her idea.”
“Hey!” I gaped in mock annoyance. “Chicken.” Turning back to the officer chuckling next to me, I asked, “Marcus, why are you on the bicycle beat?”
The officer swatted at a fly on his muscled calf. “All the active members of the force take turns for a week or two a couple times a year. Secretly, I think it’s the city’s way of keeping the officers fit. Not that I need help in that regard.” Marcus flexed his arm muscles.
“What a great idea! Oh, wait.” I held out my hand. “Please tell me this rule applies to detectives as well.”
Marcus chuckled. “Yes, ma’am, it does. And before you ask, yes, he’ll have to wear the shorts too.”
“Do you think he’ll wear his cowboy boots? Does he even own a pair of sneakers?” We laughed together.
“Who are you talking about?” Carlos asked. “Wait, it wouldn’t be a certain handsome detective I’ve seen our Liz cavorting with on the River Walk a time or two, is it?”
“Cavorting? Really?” I raised a single eyebrow at Carlos.
“Yes, it is, Carlos. These two have been making eyes at each other long enough.” Marcus teased, bumping my shoulder.
“Hey, now, we’re only…we’re not…” I gave up because I knew I couldn’t deny the allegation.
“We’ll stop teasing you.” Marcus winked at the boat captain. “Hey, wanna race?”
I watched in surprise as the officer took off on his bicycle. Carlos followed in his boat. Taunts flew between them as they pulled further away.
I glanced at my watch. A client was due in twenty minutes. Giving up on my run, I turned around and headed back to the piazza below my office. I jogged up the stairs and opened my front door.
Loud sobbing echoed off the walls of my small office. My client was early.
It looked like Liz Pond, psychic private investigator, was on duty.
Author’s Note: I hope you enjoy this random “Day in the Life of Liz Pond”. It’s my plan that it will become the beginning of a short story. It is not a part of my latest book, “Sage’s Bluff”.
SAGE’S BLUFF
Series: A Pond Investigations Mystery, Book 3
Genre: Private Investigator Mystery
Release: May 2026
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
While attending a charity gala, Liz enjoys an evening with her friends. After rousing speeches are under way, the event is interrupted when their dates receive phone calls with tragic news. A young boy has been kidnapped from his family’s home.
The boy’s parents became self-made millionaires after they sold a popular phone app developed by the father. Worried about their children’s safety with their newfound wealth, the parents hired bodyguards to protect their family. Now, it’s a decade later, and their worst fears have been realized. Returning home after an evening out, they find the bodyguards beaten and their youngest son missing.
At first, Liz leaves the investigation to the authorities. That all changes after A. J. Sowell comes to her office with news about the case: the family has hired a psychic to help find their son. When the detective asks for her help, Liz agrees without hesitation. Will she be exposed when Liz risks using her gifts under the noses of the SAPD and the FBI while searching for the boy? Is the psychic hired by the family another fraud, or will Liz finally meet her first psychic?
About the author
Jenni Stand lives in Texas and is achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Born and raised on Prince Edward Island in Canada, she now lives in Texas with her husband, daughter, and slightly spastic dog. She has always wanted to be a writer, partially due to being surrounded by everything connected to Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Maud Montgomery, and thanks to her love of reading.
Growing up, she always had her nose in a mystery book, whether it was Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, or Trixie Belden. Plus, the eighties were the best decade for some of the best mystery series on television.
Jenni is the author of the ongoing Pond Investigations Mystery series. The third book in the series, “Sage’s Bluff,” was released in May 2026. Jenni is already working on the next book, “Thick as Thieves,” to be released in 2027.
If she doesn’t have a pen in her hand, she’s usually holding either a crochet hook or a knitting needle instead.