Page 59 of Vows of Murder

Finally, the name came to her. “It was Newport. Newport, Oregon.”

I thanked her and told her that if she saw Vince, she shouldn’t talk to him. And she needed to tell Jim or Greg if he called.

“Believe me, I’ve already closed that door.” Amanda laughed. “I might be an old dog, but I can learn.”

I took a picture of my Vince timeline and texted it to Greg. Then I ate my chicken potpie in front of the television as I watcheda cooking show.

Chapter 23

Vince was still in the wind the next morning. When I came downstairs, Greg had already made us breakfast. Then he told me that he was driving me to work. And he asked me to skip my beach runs unless I had another companion besides Emma.

I knew being careful wasn’t a bad thing, but I hated telling my dog that we were staying home.

“Can you ask Deek to work the morning shift with you?” Greg asked as he followed me into the shop while I opened. I’d thought he was just dropping me off, but he’d turned off the truck and followed me inside. While I was making coffee he wandered through the bookshelves, checked the bathroom, and went into the back. I heard him going upstairs to check the hallway to Deek’s apartment. Now, he was sitting at the counter, checking his email on his phone while I made him coffee.

“Maybe if it gets slow. I’ll have commuters soon. It’s Friday. Everyone wants a specialty coffee on Friday.” As I handed him a travel mug, two of my regulars came into the shop. “See?”

“If it gets slow, please have Deek come down early. I’m concerned about Vince hanging around town yesterday.” He pointed to the chocolate chip cookies. “One ofthose, please.”

“Of course. And we don’t know if Vince is even in town. We’re assuming he was the one who called the compound. We don’t know he did.” I wrapped up the cookie, then leaned in to kiss him. “Go to work. I’m busy.”

“Look at the lovebirds,” a commuter named Selena said, grinning as she came up with a copy of a new release that had come out that week. “You make me hopeful for love.”

“You’ll find your perfect soulmate soon.” I held up a cup. “A mochathis morning?”

She clapped her hands together and nodded. “I think you’re my soulmate, since you know just what I want.”

Greg laughed and headed out of the shop. He held the door open for several more customers as he left.

I hoped that having people in the store would make him feel better about my safety. I didn’t want to face Vince. I’d end up saying what I thought of him and that wouldn’t be good. I didn’t control my tongue very well when I was mad. He’d used Amanda’s love and vulnerability and tricked her into taking care of him. Love was hard enough when it was real. Sifting through all the frogs was a chore.

The door behind me opened about nine and I almost hit Deek with the pan I’d just emptied into the display case.

“Whoa, you’re jumpy today.” He pulled on the pan I was holding like a weapon. “I guess I should have announced myself.”

“Sorry, Greg’s got me seeing things.” I released my grip on the pan and closed the display case. “You’re not scheduleduntil eleven.”

“Your dude called and asked if I could write down here.” He glanced around the empty shop. “Something going on that I don’t know about?”

“He’s at the stage of the investigation into Kane’s death where he sees zebras all over,” I responded. When Deek stared at me, I added, “He’s paranoid about everyone.”

“And you tend to fall into finding the culprit. I get it.” He held up his laptop. “I’ll be over at my favorite table if you need me. I need words today. I’vebeen slacking.”

“I’m sorry he called. You don’t have to write down here.” I didn’t want Deek to feel obligated to watch out for me.

Deek shook his head. “Sorry. The dude asked me for a favor. I’m becoming one of his favorites. I can’tmess that up.”

“You know he’s not your boss, I am,” I reminded him as he poured a cup of coffee to take to his table.

“Sure. Keep telling yourself that.” He made his way to the tableand got set up.

Honestly, I didn’t mind the company. I kept looking out the window to see if Vince was staring in at me. I was as jumpyas Greg today.

When the morning stayed slow, I went to a table with my laptop and worked on next month’s schedule. I didn’t schedule myself, instead putting Toby into my usual slots. If he was still on the investigation and not able to work here, I’d fill in. If the investigation was still ongoing, there’d be no honeymoon. Except maybe Greg was doing the same thing with Toby’s hours. I probably needed to warn my aunt that we might need help. Or Tilly was needing more hours. I’d talk to her.

As I played with the schedule, I thought about the two-week honeymoon. I was hoping that Greg had made reservations someplace warm where I could lie out in the sun and read. With great food. But with our need for flexibility, we were probably going to Nebraska to stay in his mom’s spare room for two weeks. I loved Amanda, but I seriously wanted some sun.

I left the shop at eleven. Greg hadn’t called or dropped in to take me home, so I started walking toward the house. A truck was parked in front of Antiques by Thomas. As I walked by, the truck’s side door opened and someone jumped out.

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