Page 85 of Murder on the Page

“He’s a good student, and he gets excellent grades. I invited him to stay at my place for a few weekswhile we figured out where else he might be able to live. He’s been very helpful with fixing a few plumbing issues and painting a bedroom. I’ve kept the drapes closed so neighbors wouldn’t get the wrong idea, but apparently someone has.” Her gaze went from me to Tegan. “I’m guessing it was Stella Burberry.”

We didn’t respond.

“Stella has a keen eye,” Piper said. “She doesn’t miss a beat. She’s a regular at the bookshop, if I’m not mistaken.”

“So, in sum, you were not alone that morning,” I said. “You admit you lied.”

“To protect him.”

“You were seen hugging a young man last week. Was it the same one?”

“Who told you? Lillian Bellingham? I saw her passing by. I wasn’t sure if she saw us.”

I nodded.

“Yes,” Piper continued. “He was so grateful for my offer, he broke down in tears. I was consoling him.”

“Piper,” I said, “I suggest you reach out to Detective Armstrong. He’s a good guy. Maybe he will know people who can help place the boy with a family for the duration of the school year.”

She thanked me profusely, and before returning to her wards, she said, “By the way, I like Graham Wynn, and I’m not trying to throw suspicion on him, but he and Marigold exchanged words last week. I couldn’t make out what they argued about. It was after a book discussion. I did hear him say, ‘Mind your own business.’ ”

On the way to the shop, I asked Tegan to stop at Ragamuffin. She idled at the curb, and I purchased three vanilla lattes, the extra one for Chloe.

Minutes later, I climbed into the car and positioned the carry pack on the floor. “You know, I’ve been haunted by a fewlines of the novel your aunt was writing.” I recited them: ‘ ”She knew the truth, but she dare not tell anyone. She couldn’t. If she did, her family would be a target.’ ”

“Good memory.”

“Her words make me wonder whether she, Marigold, was the protagonist in the story, and someone was threatening to harm you or Noeline or Vanna.”

Tegan cut a look at me. “I hadn’t thought of that. That could have been why she wanted to hire Oly Olsen. To spy on, say, Graham.”

“Like I said last night, I think we should take a peek at her computer again and see if there’s something we can discover about Graham or anyone else.”

“I’m with you. Also Oly might have gathered new info since we last spoke to him.”

I wasn’t sure how that was possible, but I didn’t dissuade her of the notion.

Chloe was checking out three customers at the counter when we returned. A mother and her brood of children were browsing the children’s and YA aisle. Two senior citizens were sitting in the reading nook, books open.

“Here.” I handed Chloe the latte, and she blessed me.

“We’ll be right back,” Tegan said to her, and stepped through the doorway leading to the stockroom. I followed.

In the office, Tegan wakened Marigold’s personal computer, pulled up the Contacts page for the letterD,and poised the cursor arrow over the Due Diligence listing. “Ohmigod, did you see these?” She giggled.

With a finger, she referred to two other contacts: Dates and Places, and Detective Darcy.

I knew which one had made her laugh. “Detective Darcy?” I snickered. “Honestly? She really was obsessed withPride and Prejudice.Click it.”

She did and a contact for Fitzwilliam and Sons materialized. “Get out of here!” she exclaimed. “Call him.”

I pulled my cell phone from my trouser pocket and dialed. I waited and then heard an answering machine for Fitzwilliam and Sons, a detective agency. I informed Tegan.

“Another one? Leave a message.”

I waited for abeep.“Hi, this is Allie Catt, and my friend Marigold Markel has your contact in her files. I was wondering, sir, if she hired you for an assignment. She’s . . .” I pressed my lips together. I didn’t want to say the word “deceased.”

“Could you return my call?” I rattled off my number and ended the call.

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