Page 52 of Vows of Murder

Amy was waiting for me when I arrived at Diamond Lille’s. She had milkshakes already on the table for us. “How is the first week of marriage going?”

“Fine, I guess. We had dinner together last night. He’s been busy with the investigation since the day after the wedding. The onlything I’ve got on my planning calendar is getting the thank you notes done.” I tucked my tote next to me.

“And the upcoming honeymoon,” Amy reminded me.

“If we ever get to go.” I glanced at the menu, then pushed it away. I was going with my favorite, even though I had it last night. I needed to refocus my eating before that had to go on my to-do list as well. “Wow, I’m a DebbyDowner today.”

“You’re on the opposite side of a big high. You did the same thing when you got your degree. Big events lead to a letdown when they’re over. And it’s January. Deaths always go up in January.” Amy set her menu down. “It’s a statistical fact.”

“Is it? Or did you read it online?” Amy could always make me feel better. “Anyway, I’m thinking of taking up a hobby. Do you want to learn a craftor something?”

Amy spit out some of her milkshake onto the table. She grabbed a napkin to wipe it up. When she stopped laughing, she looked at me. “You? Crafting? Have you even looked at the baby blanket you didn’t finish for the hospital babies?”

“I finished one.” It hadn’t been pretty, but it had been done. “I guess I could pull out that stuff and work on the othertwo blankets.”

“Sure. That’s a goal. What about the shop?”

I shrugged. “Everything is going well. Deek is dealing with the author visits. Evie’s handling the accounting and most of the business stuff. It’s running like clockwork.”

Carrie stopped at our table. “Tiny wants to know how you liked the cake.”

“It was amazing. Thank him for me.” I looked over at the window to the kitchen and waved at him. He smiled and waved back. I ducked my head. “I should have stopped there as soon as I arrived. I’m so bad at this.”

“You’re not bad at being grateful.” Carrie pulled out her notepad and pen. “Some people are just not very patient. I overheard you talking about getting a hobby. What about leading a book club? There’s one at the Bakerstown library, but it’s usually during the day when I’m working. I love sitting and chatting about a book we all read.”

“Carrie, that’s not a bad idea. Deek’s been having writer nights. I’ll have to see what nights are open and we’ll get one set up.” I madea note on my phone for later that day. I could build a book club. Easy. And I wouldn’t have to learn to cook or quilt. Or find where I stuck the yarn for thosebaby blankets.

We ordered lunch and as we were eating, a man came in with two boys. Amy kicked my foot to get my attention and nodded toward them as Lille sat them at a window booth. “The smaller boy is one of the kids they took from New Hope. That’s his dad. I helped Esmeralda keep the parents busy in the conference room with coffee and treats until the child protection people brought the kids to the station.”

“That’s Tanner O’Dell and his son Jimmy,” I said as I watched the three study the menus.

“Yeah, how did you know?” Amy turned away from watching the family and focused on me. “DidGreg tell you?”

I shook my head, trying not to stare in their direction. “I was doing some Facebook research. His wife cashed in her 401(k) and their joint accounts and gave themoney to Kane.”

“Well, the money might be gone, but at least the kid’s home.” Amy leaned back as Carrie delivered our food. “You can always make more money.”

“I wonder why they’re still in town?” I texted Greg and asked if he had an interview with Mr. O’Dell today.

He called me rather than texting. “Who told you? Amy or Esmeralda. I swear, I’m going to fire them both.”

“Calm down, Greg. No one told me. Tanner’s here at the diner eating lunch with his kids. I wouldn’t be here if I was him after all that happened, so I figured he must be talking to you.” I rolled my eyes at Amy, who was laughing at my side of the conversation. “Oh, and I think you should look at Beth’s stuff. The brothers had an interesting childhood and career.”

“No smokingguns, though?”

I twisted my lips. There was something I was missing but I couldn’t put my finger on it. “I think there’s more going on with the church and the brothers. Especially after we saw Roger and Maryanne out spending money. I guess they could be celebrating their anniversary, but not according to this thesis of Beth’s. It’s in the summer sometime.”

“You’ve got a feeling, though.”

I sipped my milkshake. “Stop teasing me. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Sounds good. I love you, Mrs. King.”

Before he hung up, I responded, “Ilove you too.”

Amy glanced at the family. “Greg brought him back for more questions?”

“Yeah, I think it’s weird too.” I focused on my fish and changed the subject. “So, what’s going on with the house?”

---