Page 55 of Vows of Murder

He shook his head, signing the receipt. “Hold it for their tab. I just hope I get back before they get antsy. Thank you again.”

“No problem.” I put the card into the cash register and closed the drawer. I wanted to tell him good luck, but if Greg thought he might have killed Kane, he might need more than just good luck to get out of the charge. And if that happened, who would take care of the kids? I guessed they’d go back to their mother and the compound.

I hoped that Tanner O’Dell hadn’t acted on his Facebook threat and killed the cult leader. I worriedabout the kids.

By the time Deek came downstairs from his apartment to take over the shop, the kids had bought four books and ordered six more drinks and a dozen cookies. I was beginning to worry about their sugar content more than the caffeine limit their dad had set. I had a running tab going and just kept adding to it as they came to getsomething else.

I explained the book club vote-tallying system I’d set up, then told him about Tyler and Jimmy. “I hope that Greg will be finishing up the interview soon.”

As I said that, Anya Carter walked into the shop with another woman. I saw Jimmy’s reaction before I realized what he’d already figured out. His dad wasn’t coming back from his errand anytime soon. She smiled at the kids, then came up to the counter. “Jill, I’m so sorry I missed your call. Things have beena little busy.”

“Please tell me you aren’t here to take the kids.” I pulled out the credit card and began to ring up the charges but then I stopped. “Maybe we should have them get a couple more books.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I take it you have permission from their dad?” Anya asked, looking at the credit card.

I nodded to Deek. “Why don’t you go over and help them get another book or two? Anya and I will figure out what’s next.”

Deek walked over and knelt next to the table. Tyler looked up at Anya, who smiled, then sank back into his chair. He didn’t take long to adjust. He pulled his brother into a hug, then they walked over to the bookshelves with Deek.

“Has Tanner been arrested?” I kept my voice low.

Anya shook her head. “Greg’s words were that he’s being held for questioning. I got a call from the lawyer. They want to make sure the kids aren’t in range of the compound, so I’m taking them up to their aunt’s place north of here. Jimmy’s still on our books becauseof the removal from the mom, but I got an order from the judge just now and we’ll get them someplace safe. I guess the aunt has a cabin she bought just after Mrs. O’Dell disappeared with Jimmy.”

Deek brought over four more books and an order for half a dozen cookies. “Tyler’s getting their backpacks set up and ready to go. He says they’re going to Aunt Kathy’s. Is he right?”

Anya nodded. “Tanner called me last night and we started the paperwork. All I needed was a call from his attorney to put it in process. Jimmy doesn’t need to go back to that place. They do a crazy brainwashing thing and separate the kids from the parents. He’s going to need a lot of therapy withoutadding to it.”

I rang up everything and charged it to the card. Holding it up, I asked, “Can I givethis to Tyler?”

“Please. The attorney mentioned it when he called. I guess Tyler’s authorized on the card, so he can signyour receipt.”

We walked over and I handed the receipt and a pen to Tyler, who signed it and handed it back. Then I gave him the card. “Thanks for hanging out with me this morning. I appreciate having someone here to make the place look busy.”

“Dad’s got to help the police find Reverend Matthews’s killer. He was killed last week because he spoke God’s word,” Jimmy told me as he tucked the new books into his bag. “We’re going to Aunt Kathy’s for a while.”

“Yep. Spending some quality time with Aunt Kathy,” Tyler repeated. “Thanks for letting us hang, Mrs. King. It’s a great bookstore.”

As the kids left with the social workers, I leaned against the wall and watched them. I felt bad that they had to have another upheaval in their lives, but at least they had an aunt to take them in. I’d been in the same situation when I’d gone to live with Aunt Jackie. And no matter how much better life was at the new place, a part of you still yearned for the old life. For Tyler, that was before their mom had blown up their lives by joining New Hope. Was it the same for Jimmy? Or did he miss the structured life that he’d been living the last six months at New Hope? I guess only time would tell.

I was still talking to Deek about what had happened when two black SUVs pulled up in front of the shop. Five suited men got out, and two of them opened the back door on both cars. Two womengot out, and one of the men and the woman from the first car hurried into the shop, looking aroundat the tables.

Maryanne Matthews was the other woman, and she followed them inside. She glanced around, then walked up to me. “Good morning, Jill. I was told that Jimmy O’Dell was hanging out with you. His mom wanted to see him. She’s had no contact since he was jerked from her care last week.”

“I’m sorry, there’re no kids here.” I felt Deek step closer to me.

Maryanne smiled at me and the look chilled my blood. “Now. There are no kids here now. We were told he was here by one of our members. I take it his father asked youto watch him?”

“We’re not a babysitting service.” I repeated the words I’d told Tanner O’Dell. “We’re a bookstore.”

I wasn’t lying, but there was no way I was going to give Maryanne any information on Tanner O’Dell or his family. Especially not Jimmy.

“Well, I guess that’s all we need. If Jimmy isn’t here.” Maryanne didn’t move.

“Can we get you coffee or a cookie?” I waved my hand toward the dessert case. “I know you have your own bakery, but you might want to taste your competition’s products. Pies on the Fly produces amazing treats.”

Fire flashed in her eyes, but she smiled and shook her head. “Sorry to have bothered you. I need to go comfort my sister, as she’s grieving the loss of her son.”

After they left, Deek turned to me. “Dude! That was intense. She knew you were lying and you didn’t even bat an eyelash.”

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