Page 72 of Cabin Fever

"That's not really your business."

"You're right. I'm sorry . . . I'd been fascinated by your tale for so long, I got too wrapped up."

I nodded and thought about the robber from last week. I knew who he was the moment he mentioned the money. When I saw Sheriff Garrison Heart cuff him after the ambulance medics checked him out, I felt sorry for the guy.

I knew why he hated me, and I didn't blame him. I read the articles about how his family was ridiculed due to his father's actions. The legal fees bankrupted them. He couldn't help what his father did any more than I could help being born into a rich and powerful family.

"What did your father say about the fired manager?"

"That he was used. Someone took advantage of his fragile state and encouraged his ideas about your father."

I clasped my hands on the table, trying to hold myself together. I hadn't felt this uncertain—this on edge—since my father's death.

"But what that guy said wasn't true. There was no bill about listening devices in electronics. Who was the person taking advantage of the manager?"

Bea sighed and rubbed at her neck. "I don't know. My father only called himthe chief, never mentioning a name. I don't even know who he was talking to on the phone. He usually mentions the person's name as he says goodbye, but he didn't that time. I went back for weeks afterward whenever I could to hide in his office, but he never discussed it again."

"Please don't say anything to Olivia or anyone else, for that matter. Just because the shooter got locked away, doesn't mean this is over."

Bea bit her bottom lip and took a deep breath. "There's one more thing you should know. About your uncle . . ."

"I'm home," Olivia said as she opened the front door.

Bea and I turned in surprise while Kitty jumped up and barked.

For a moment I had forgotten where Olivia had been, but then I saw theTown Groceryplastic bags hanging from her hand.

"Who wants a fruit salad?" Olivia's rosy cheeks and wide smile helped ease my heart.

These past twenty minutes had been a bad trip down memory lane. As much as Beatrice irritated me, I was thankful for her information about what she knew.

"I would love some fruit salad," I said, plastering a grin on my face.

Olivia turned from the kitchen counter after placing the bags down. Her eyes rounded in worry. "What's wrong?" she asked, glancing between me and her sister.

"What? Why would you think anything was wrong? The man wants fruit salad, same as me. It's a good thing I had you run to the store to get some winter fruit." Bea leaned back in the chair and was about to lift her feet to the table when she caught my stare.

"Becausethe mannever wants fruit. I've only seen him eat fruit once, and that was the berries on his pancakes he got at Fire and Ice diner. I'm surprised he doesn't have rickets."

I went to stand by Beatrice. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I said, "I had a long discussion with your sister. The way she talked about the fruit—"

"Winter fruit. The kumquat to be precise." Bea's lips widened into her ridiculous grin as she tilted her head back to watch me.

"Yes. Kumquat." My jaw tightened as I glared back. "It sounded so delicious, I just have to try it for myself."

Olivia frowned. "I don't know if you'll be happy. They didn't have kumquats. But I got pomegranates."

"Ugh, I am so over pomegranates. I don't want the salad anymore. I have to use your bathroom." Bea shrugged off my hand and stood.

I stared with an open mouth as she strolled toward the bathroom. That woman had some nerve.

"Do you still want some? I was actually looking forward to it, too. Unlike my sister, I enjoy pomegranate seeds." She held the large red fruit up in her hand.

For a moment I wondered what would have happened if Beatrice, not Olivia, ran to my cabin two weeks ago. Then the answer came to me—I would be wanted for murder.

"Of course, I still want it." She smiled and turned to the counter. "Because I'm not a selfish jerk," I whispered to myself.

I went over to Olivia and curled my arms around the back of her. She sighed and leaned her head back, resting it against my chest. She felt right.

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