Page 86 of Murder on the Page

Tegan said, “Do you think she picked that agency because of the name?”

“Possibly.”

“She must have listed it underDfor detective.”

“Or maybe Mr. Fitzwilliam’s mother was an avid Jane Austen fan and actually gave him the first name Darcy.” I tapped my chin with a fingertip, deliberating why Marigold had reached out to not one, but two detectives. “Marigold knew Katrina’s secret. And Piper’s. What if she knew others?”

“You’re not suggesting she blackmailed anyone.”

I fanned the air. “Far from it. She was a caring person. She would have wanted to help anyone who was in trouble, like she did Piper.”

“Man, I hope her story pans out.”

“Me too.”

Tegan picked up a pen and rhythmically rapped it on the edge of the desk. “You know, it bothers me that Auntie was arguing with so many people this past week. She wasn’t the quarrelsome type. Something must have been bugging her.”

“I agree.”

“Do you think she was sick?”

“I don’t have a clue.”

Tegan said, “That waitress at the Brewery thought Auntie knew Katrina’s secret. What if she knew others? Customers and friends confided in her all the time. What kind of secrets would be worth killing over?”

“A woman having a baby out of wedlock.”

“Or a woman running away from an abusive husband.”

“Or a man on the lam.”

Tegan flicked the pen aside. “I don’t trust Rick.”

“Whoa!” I threw up both hands. “That came out of left field. Why don’t you? Because he’s courting your mother? He’s not running from the law.”

She grunted. “What if he’s phony-baloney? What if he’s one of those guys who has two families in two states? If I ask my friend to dig into the employment records—”

“Rick is an independent contractor, so she’ll find nothing. Relax.” I patted her shoulder. “I seriously doubt he’d pawn his wedding ring if he was hiding another family. Let your mother have some fun. If he’s not the right guy, she’ll figure it out.”

Tegan picked up the pen again and resumed tap-tapping as she theorized about what other secrets her aunt might have known. “How about a married man with a clandestine lover? Or a woman with an obsession that’s embarrassing?”

That notion gave me pause. A few weeks ago, when I was browsing the bookshop for a new mystery to read, I heard Katrina ask Marigold to order a special book for her,The G-String Murders,written by none other than Gypsy Rose Lee. It was an odd choice, although Katrina did like historical romances, and the famous striptease artist, by all intents and purposes, was a person of history, with a somewhat-romantic past. Was it possible Katrina was performing or had performed at a gentlemen’s club? Did Marigold figure it out because of the strange book order? Did Katrina’s boyfriend catch her doing so? Hewas a photographer. What if he’d taken compromising photos? He said he hadmore.What if he threatened to show the pictures to her boss at the Brewery?

No, that would have been a reason for Katrina to want him dead, not Marigold. Even so, after we closed the bookshop, I decided to chat with her one more time, not that I could consider the last time we’d interacted a chat.

CHAPTER21

“When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.”

—Charlotte Lucas, in Jane Austen’sPride and Prejudice

Tegan and I drove separately, knowing we’d both head home after our inquiry.

The lot in front of the Brewery was full. We parked in the side lot and hoofed it to the front entrance. Once inside, we realized there wasn’t a seat to be had, although there were a few spaces at the standing-only tables. Tegan and I secured two spots, and I scanned the restaurant for Katrina. I glimpsed her working the bar with the same guy as last night.

Wallis, her blond hair swept into a messy bun with tendrils gracing her cheeks, laid down two napkins on our table. I’d been hoping she’d be working tonight’s shift. On the way to the Brewery, I’d formulated a plan, and Wallis had a starring role in the execution of it.

“Hello, again, Allie,” she said. “You’re becoming a regular. Spruce Goose?”

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