Page 56 of Vows of Murder

“I wasn’t putting Jimmy in any danger. The question is, who was in here when the kids were and called New Hope? Or maybe someone walked by and saw them through the window. Who knew a babysitting job deserved combat pay?” I grabbed my tote and handed off the shop to Deek. “I’m going home to take Emma to the beach and soak up some South Cove magic. I need some positive rays flowing in.”

“Best place to get it,” Deek called after me.

As I walked home, I got a call from Greg. “Let me guess, you’re not coming home for dinner.”

“You’re going to have to open a competing shop with Esmeralda. You’re getting good at this.” Greg laughed. “Anya told me she picked up the kids. Thanks for being there for them.”

“It wasn’t a problem. By the way, we had a visit from Maryanne and the New Hope goons after Anya left with the kids. Someone called and told them the kids were at my shop.”

The silence on the other end told me the rest of the story. Greg was worried about the kids. “What didyou tell her?”

“That I was running a bookstore, not a babysitting service. But it worries me that someone is reporting on us to New Hope.”

“So you lied.”

I laughed as I started down the hill to the house. “Like a fish. I never understood that saying, by the way. Or maybe that’s not the saying. Anyway, Deek about swallowed his tongue.”

“I feel bad for the kids,”Greg admitted.

“Are you sure he killed Kane?”

He paused before answering. “He has motive and opportunity. If someone took my kid, I’d be hot too.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Let’s just say I’m working on an answer.” He groaned. “I’ve got to go. Love you, Mrs. King.”

I tucked the phone away in my pocket and headed home to get my dog. I prayed Deek and I were right about the South Cove beach hit. I neededto feel better.

Chapter 22

The waves hadn’t worked all their magic on me yet when my phone rang. “Hey, Beth, how did you know I was sitting on the beach soaking up somerays for you?”

“I must have felt the power,” she responded, laughing. “I wanted to wait until we’d dropped Amanda off, but then I got distracted. Then I knew you were working, so I’m sorry I didn’tcall earlier.”

Now I was confused. Had I asked her to call when they got back? “It’s fine. I really didn’t expect a call. I’m glad you’re homesafe, though.”

“Oh, I’m not calling about that. Something was bothering me about the whole Vince thing. I mean, Amanda told me that she’d divorced him, but I don’t think she ever called him by his full name. And she goes by King, so it didn’t register until I started thinking about my dissertation. Maryanne’s maidenname was Penn.”

“Like Vince?” It could be just a coincidence. But maybe it was a connection.

“It could be just a coincidence,” Beth said, repeating my thought. “Amanda said Vince said he grew up in Oregon. You don’t think Vince Penn is related to Maryanne Matthews, do you?”

“If he is, he needs to repay Molly all that investigation money he charged her for looking for Carlie.” Especially if he could have just called his sister and asked if Carlie was at the compound. I stood and brushed the sand off my capris. Maybe Vince was still in town and had seen the kids this morning.

“Well, I just wanted to tell you that. I mean, it might not mean anything, but it’sweird, right?”

“I’m going to run to the college and see what I can find out about Vince and Maryanne.” I hoped that maybe this would give Greg another person with motive and maybe an opportunity. He was in town when Kane was killed. Molly probably told him about her planned meeting with Kane. “Thanks for calling. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“I’d appreciate it. I know I don’t have to add to it now that it’s been accepted for my degree, but I feel like I need to add a new chapter to my thesis. Maybe this will make it publishable and get me that position I’ve been looking for in academia.” Beth sounded giddy. “Anyway, be careful and make sure you send Greg to do anything dangerous. I’d like to think you’ll be around if Jim ever popsthe question.”

“I’ll be there, I promise.” I hung up the phone and gathered the blanket, water bottles, and Emma’s water bowl and tucked them into my beach tote. “Let’sgo home, Emma.”

I would have taken her with me to Bakerstown, but I didn’t want to leave her in the Jeep when I went into the library to track down Maryanne’s or Vince’s history. I might wind up empty-handed. And if I did, I’d give Beth’s tip to my brilliant husband and not mention that I tried to find out more. Besides, he was busy tonight.

I hurried home, made sure Emma was set for a few hours, then wrote Greg a note.Heading to Bakerstown. Stopping by the store and the library.

I grabbed my shopping list just in case.

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