Page 54 of Vows of Murder

“This has to be about the money, right?” Greg asked as he rubbed his hair. “I need a haircut. All this hair is blocking my brain cells.”

“I think it’s cute when it’s a little longer.” I knew he didn’t want to talk about the case, but I wanted to know one more thing. “Did you readBeth’s paper?”

He nodded. “I think Jim’s in trouble. Beth’s really smart. He’s not going to be able to get away with anything with her around.”

“Yes, Beth’s smart. But I was wondering what you thought about the brothers andtheir history.”

He didn’t answer immediately. Then he looked at me. “I need to see the financials. I had the city attorney reach out to their lawyers this afternoon. If we don’t get the paperwork, we’re going to ask for a subpoena. I don’t think they want us digging directly in their files.”

“Well, at least I get to see you for a few nights. And we’ll get more of the thank you notes done.”

He grabbed a platter. “Lucky me. Let’s get dinner done and get working. Maybe we can finish up tonight. I have a feeling this investigation is about to heat up.”

* * * *

When the stream of commuters slowed down the next morning, I thought about the book club. We’d already had several suggestions put in the jar, and because I’m that girl who can’t wait for Christmas morning, I pulled them out and sorted through the slips.

I got out a notebook and wrote down all the ideas. Several were the same—bestsellers or women’s fiction. One was a vote for Southern fiction. And one, historical nonfiction about California—bonus if the books focused on the central coast. Josh had been in to get coffee and treats. Antiques by Thomas must have had a staff meeting this morning. I’d seen him scribbling on one of the entry papers for the book club. This had to behis suggestion.

It wasn’t a bad idea, I just didn’t think it would appeal to a lot of people. Maybe I needed to ask Josh to suggest more local-charmbooks I could put in that section. He knew a lot about the history of South Cove. Probably more thananyone in town.

I paper-clipped the ideas together and put them back into the jar. Then I drew a line under the last idea and wrote the date and time on the top of the page. Putting the notebook under the counter, I added “review book club ideas” to the daily closing list. If it didn’t get done, I could do it in the morning, but I’d love to get my staff involved in the fun.

A man walked into the bookstore, and I realized it was Tanner O’Dell. He walked straight up to the counter. “I have a favor to ask. You don’t have to say yes, but I didn’t want to just drop them off,just in case.”

“I’m sorry, what can I help you with?” He looked nervous. Today, he was dressed in a suit. He introduced himself. “I just got one of my sons back from their mom. She lives at the New Hope property. I’ve been asked back to the police station for another interview and I don’t want them hanging out there. And I don’t want to leave my kids at the hotel. Can they stay here while I straighten this out? I’ve told Tyler, he’s my oldest, that they can’t leave with anyone and to keep an eye on Jimmy. They’ll have my credit card for drinks, treats, and books. I don’t care what they buy. I just need a second set of eyes on them while I’m at the police station. It’s just down the street and if you need me, I’ll come right back.”

“We’re not a babysitting service and I’m off at eleven. They’re more than welcome to hang out, but I’m not stopping them if they leave on their own. I will text you if they do, or if anyone from New Hope approaches them.” I understood Mr. O’Dell’s worries, but on the other hand, they weren’t my children. I didn’t have the right to stop them or keep their mother from trying to collect them. “I’ll also call the police if someone is trying to take them using force and tryto stop that.”

He studied me, then nodded. “Thanks. I just didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t want to take them back to the police station. Jimmy’s confused enough, and I thought being around books might calm him about being alone with his brother.”

“Books can do that.” I nodded. “Look, I’ll do my best with them. We have kids that hang here most Saturdays. And if you’re notback by eleven, I’ll let my coworker know what’s going on. Just try to be back before lunch. I’d hate for them to starve.”

He grinned. “They eat like starving wolves most of the time. I’m not sure you’d notice a difference. I’ll go get them. And thank you, Mrs. King.”

So he’d known who I was when he came into the store. That wasn’t unusual, but it made me feel a little bit better about his request. He was leaving the kids with the police detective’s wife.

When he came back in with the kids, he brought them straight up to the counter. “You’re going to wait here at the bookstore for me and hopefully find something to read. You can have something to eat if you get hungry and one coffee drink. Otherwise, it’s herbal tea, water, or cocoa.”

“Cocoa has caffeine too, Dad,” said the younger kid, Jimmy, as he turned toward Tanner. When he didn’t get a response, he turned to me. “I’ll have a mocha, please, withwhipped cream.”

I smiled at him and looked at his brother.“And for you?”

He rolled his eyes at his father. “A mocha will be fine. You have flavored waters?”

I pointed to the menu board. “We do our own in theabove flavors.”

“I’m going to go look for a book. Where’s your horror section?” The older kid, Tyler, glanced over at the shelves. “I hope I haven’t read everything.”

“We just got in the new Grady Hendrix, if you haven’t read that.” I pointed toward the section.

“I’m coming too.” Jimmy followed his brother.

I made the mochas, then looked at Mr. O’Dell. “Do youwant anything?”

“I’m coffeed out. I drank a pot at the hotel. I probably should have put a caffeine limit on myself.” He handed me a credit card, then stuffed a hundred-dollar bill in the tip jar. “This is for your time. I know it’s above and beyond what you do here.”

“I get it. If I’d just got him back, I’d be a little protective too.” I ran his card and tried to hand it back.

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