Copyright © Leena Clover, Author 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organizations and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cherry Lime Havoc – Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 8

By Leena Clover

Chapter 1

Anna Butler bit her lip as she swirled lime frosting over a fresh batch of cherry cupcakes. Bursting with juicy cherries from the local Daisy Hollow Farm, the jury was still out on what tasted better, the cake or the frosting. The cake had ample almonds, vanilla and a hint of allspice to liven it all up. The frosting was sweet and tart, with a lime flavor guaranteed to liven up the dullest taste buds.

“I still prefer the coconut cream frosting, Grandma.” Anna’s granddaughter Meg scraped the bowl with a silicone spatula and proceeded to lick it. “The lime and coconut is a marriage made in heaven.”

Anna smiled at the young, hazel eyed girl perched at the kitchen counter. Her rich mahogany tresses fell beyond her shoulders and her cheekbones stood out prominently, just like her mother’s.

“We can try them out at the café but not today. The town’s big on tradition. Everything has to be just so for Founder’s Day. It’s a wonder the Garden Committee agreed to let me bake these. We have Mary to thank for that.”

Anna Butler was a widow in her late fifties with a new lease on life. She had recently realized her dream of expanding her bookstore into a café. Her unique cupcake recipes had ensured the place did brisk business. Locals waited eagerly for the cupcake of the month, generally based on innovative combinations of fruits and herbs.

Anna’s daughter Cassie, a former Hollywood star, had come back home after twenty years to nurse her through a dreaded illness. Then Meg came looking for them. Her arrival had been most unexpected but very welcome. After an initial period of adjustment, the three Butler women had become inseparable.

“What’s the deal with Founder’s Day?” Meg eyed the tray of cupcakes before her. “Just another excuse for a summer festival?”

Anna pulled out a pack of chips from the pantry and poured them into a bowl. She popped a couple in her mouth and set them before Meg.

“It’s much more than that, sweetie. This is the day we stand proud and show off the best this little town has to offer.”

“Was the town formed by that Blue Hill guy?” Meg referred to a prospector who had traveled north and built a big mansion on a bluff overlooking the sea.

Anna shook her head.

“The village existed long before George Martin came here. But the population was dwindling and people were moving away. Edmond Crawford arrived from Colorado and set up a sawmill, sometime around the end of the first World War.  When the business flourished, it attracted a lot of young families who were looking to put down roots. The town was established in 1925 and Edmond Crawford became the first mayor.”

“Wow!” Meg’s eyes were wide. She had worked through half the bowl of chips while listening to Anna’s story. “This guy wouldn’t be related to the monster who is our current mayor?”

“Be nice, Meg!” Anna said lightly. “And yes, he was Lara’s ancestor, her great great grandfather, I guess.”

“No wonder she thinks she owns the place.”

Lara Crawford was Anna’s nemesis. Thanks to her venomous tongue, half the town believed Anna had murdered her husband John. No amount of cupcakes could kill the vicious gossip Lara continued to spread against the Butler women.

“Forget about her,” Anna dismissed. “So you see why Founder’s Day is a big deal? The town has grown a lot in the past nine decades and this is the day we highlight the best of Dolphin Bay.”

“That man has some nerve!” The kitchen door flew open and a tall, striking woman came in, muttering under her breath. Her glossy tresses were the same shade as Meg’s but her figure was more rounded. Cassie Butler had been Hollywood’s darling for a reason. Her beauty often made people stop in their tracks and stare at her.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Meg smiled mischievously. “Did you and Dylan have a fight again?”

“This is how they were in high school.” Anna shook her head. “Neither of you seems to have grown up, Cassie.”

“Dylan’s the most irritating person I have met in my life,” Cassie fumed. “I don’t know why Meg couldn’t have gone to Daisy Hollow.”

“Meg was helping me with the baking, remember?” Anna pulled out a platter of cheese and antipasti from the refrigerator. “Hundreds of tourists are expected today and we need all hands to pitch in. Can’t you set your differences aside for one day?”

They had a quick lunch while Cassie grumbled about all the nasty chores the farm owner had piled upon her. Dylan had been Cassie’s first love in high school but she could barely stand the sight of him now. Anna and her friends secretly wondered if the two would ever get together again.

“Did you get all the stuff for your smoothies?” Meg piped up.

Cassie nodded reluctantly. She had to admit the cherries from Daisy Hollow had been worth the trip.

“We might just sell more smoothies than cupcakes, Mom.” She finally cracked a smile.

Anna urged the girls to hurry up.

“There will be plenty to eat later,” she reminded them. “Make sure you sample everything.”

Cherries were the highlight of the Founder’s Day festivities. Apart from the Founder’s Day punch which had muddled cherries along with a mix of summer fruit, Anna knew there would be a wide array of foodstuffs featuring Edmond Crawford’s favorite.

They got ready in record time, dressed in summer frocks they had bought for the occasion. Cassie insisted they all wear the deep cherry hued lipstick her favorite designer had sent her from Los Angeles.

The town square was a beehive of activity. A large striped marquee was set up at one end, with plenty of tables and chairs where people could relax and gorge on the food. A stage had been set up and the local band was busy tuning their instruments. Meg had discovered the youngsters practicing in their garage and loved their music. Three rows of stands had been set up on the bright green lawn and Anna spotted a lot of familiar faces, busy setting out their wares with pride.

A stocky woman dressed in capri pants and a plaid shirt waved at them.

“There’s Julie!” Meg balanced two trays of cupcakes and started walking toward her.

Julie Walsh and Mary Sullivan were Anna’s best friends. The trio known as the Firecrackers had been there for each other through several decades.

“MJ won’t let us lift a finger.” Julie nodded at the young girl who worked at Anna’s Café. “You should give her a raise, Anna.”

A bunch of tourists ambled to their table, eager to try the cupcakes. Suddenly, the crowd seemed to multiply and they got busy serving everyone.

Other than the smoothies Cassie churned out and Anna’s cherry lime cupcakes, they were offering a summer seafood salad with roasted cherries and a gazpacho MJ had come up with as a nod to the season. Her trademark scones and lemon bars were gone within an hour. She had made herself indispensable in the few weeks since she had arrived in Dolphin Bay.

Gino Mancini arrived and greeted Meg and Cassie with a hug. He put his arm around Anna and smiled in his mustache, peering lovingly into her eyes.

“Well done, Anna. This is one of the most popular booths of the festival.”

“You’re just being kind.” Anna fought a blush.

The ex police chief had been a surprising ally when the mayor started a smear campaign against her. She had accepted his offer of friendship and their relationship had deepened into much more.

“MJ’s a gem. I’m glad I stopped doing everything myself and hired her.”

Julie brought over a plate with some salad, a paper cup of the cherry gazpacho and a cupcake.

“Where on earth did you find her, Gino? Maybe I should finally hire an assistant.”

“Leo and I are going to check out the barbecue stand,” Meg interrupted. “We’ll bring you some.”

The music stopped and a woman wearing a pale green suit walked up to the makeshift stage and tapped the microphone.

The crowd stopped talking after a couple of minutes and all eyes turned to the stage. Apart from the festivities, the townspeople worked hard to raise money for the food bank every Founder’s Day. The local business owners proudly donated all the proceeds from the various food stalls for this purpose.

“Lara Crawford’s going to announce how much money we raised.” Mary came and joined them.

“I know it’s for a good cause and all.” Julie gritted her teeth. “But she’s going to take all the credit and get away with it, just like every year.”

“It’s not like we have a choice,” Anna sighed. “The Crawfords have always been mayors of this town. Like it or not, we’re stuck with her, Julie.”

Chapter 2

Anna yawned widely and moved a bit closer to Gino. Lara Crawford had been speaking for twenty minutes and the crowd was beginning to get restless.

“She’s an attention hog,” Meg giggled. “Why are people tolerating her?”

“Everyone’s waiting to hear how much money we raised,” Anna explained. “As per tradition, the mayor declares that as part of her Founder’s Day speech. And then she introduces any big donors.”

“But what about all the money we will collect today?” Meg frowned. “There must be a couple hundred people here. Surely that should account for something?”

Julie pitched in and told her the final tally wouldn’t be ready until a few days later.

“Most of the big bucks come from sponsors like Mystic Hill.”

They all looked at Gino.

“Are you ready to go up there and take a bow?” Anna smiled.

Gino’s winery was one of the flourishing local businesses and he was quite generous in giving back to the community.

“It’s not like Charlie Robinson is going to beat you,” Julie guffawed. “That family has always been better at taking things from the locals.”

Anna rushed to her friend’s defense. Charlie Robinson owned the Castle Beach Resort, a luxurious icon that employed many locals. Julie had never warmed up to the dapper man, partly because she thought he was an opportunist and partly because his ancestors were rumored to be smugglers.

Gino stepped in before the argument could escalate.

“Mystic Hill couldn’t donate much, I’m afraid. It’s been a slow year.”

Cassie joined them, licking barbecue sauce off her fingers. She held a plate full of pulled pork, smothered in extra sauce.

“Whoever decided to showcase cherries for Founder’s Day was a genius. You have to taste this sauce, Mom. It’s out of this world.”

She nudged Meg and looked around quizzically while Anna and Julie sampled the food off her plate.

“So who’s patron of the year, then? Anyone we know?”

There was a crash of cymbals accompanied by a loud banging of the drums. The crowd stopped their chatter and all eyes slowly turned back to the stage.

“I think we’re about to find out.” Gino folded his arms and planted his feet apart, staring at the mayor in anticipation.

“Now the moment you have all been waiting for …” Lara Crawford rove her eyes across the assembled people and paused dramatically. “Please welcome Dr. Graham Hudson. Come on up here, Graham!”

A couple of high school girls escorted an older man up to the stage. Anna thought he seemed to cower a bit as he stood beside Lara.

“We raised more money this year than the past ten years put together. And it’s all thanks to Dr. Hudson here. He’s a well known philanthropist with big contacts in the city. Thanks to him, the food bank met its goal for the next two years.”

The crowd cheered and started clapping. The applause reached a crescendo as the mayor presented Graham Hudson with a big trophy and posed for pictures.

Anna spotted the editor of the local newspaper wielding a fancy camera as he deftly snapped photos from various angles.

“I know he’s a retired doctor but I had no idea he’s so loaded.” Julie sipped a glass of Founder’s Day punch Meg and Leo had brought over.

“Graham’s rich enough,” Anna nodded. “But his great skill is getting people to part with their money. It’s all for a good cause.”

“Do we really need a food bank, Mom?” Cassie had been away for twenty years and was slowly catching up with what had changed in her absence. “I thought no one ever goes hungry in Dolphin Bay.”

“Thanks to the food bank.” Anna shrugged. “We have seen our share of adversity but we try to take care of our own.”

The band struck up a lively tune and some volunteers cleared away the chairs and tables to form a makeshift dance floor. Anna looked up and saw Lara Crawford had left the stage and was mingling with the crowd now, shaking hands and kissing babies. Graham Hudson slinked away from her and headed to the punch table.

“Look at her, sucking up to those gullible fools,” Julie hissed in Anna’s ear. “We need to stop her from getting elected again, whatever it takes.”

“I don’t think that’s ever going to happen in our lifetime,” Mary spoke softly. She rarely expressed an opinion but anything she said was often on point.

“Care to dance?” Gino took Anna’s hand and wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Julie cleared her throat and winked at Mary.

“We’ll give you two love birds some space.”

Meg was dancing merrily with Leo. A tall man wearing a sports jacket joined them. His face had the kind of tan that never faded and his milk chocolate eyes flickered as they rested on Cassie.

“If you think I’m going to dance with you, Dylan Woods, you’re highly mistaken.”

Julie took the arm he proffered. “He’s here for me.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Princess!” Dylan gave a shrug and led Julie away.

“When are you going to cut him some slack, Cass?” Anna sighed. “He’s been looking out for Julie for years. Mary and I always had our husbands at these things and Julie sat on the sidelines by herself. Dylan makes sure she dances a jig or two.”

Sally Davis, one of the teachers at the high school, arrived with Graham Hudson in tow.

“Meet one of your ardent fans, Cassie.”

Anna watched Graham pump Cassie’s hand eagerly as he gushed about how much he had liked her movies. Cassie took it in stride.

“Today’s your day, Dr. Hudson. May I have the honor of a dance with the patron of the year?”

Anna smiled as Graham nodded eagerly and took Cassie’s hand. She followed them to the dance floor with Gino.

They stayed on the periphery, away from the crowded center where most of the youngsters had staked a claim.

“This must be a happy day for you,” Cassie mused as Graham Hudson twirled her around. “Patron of the year is a big thing in Dolphin Bay.”

Anna heard Graham respond it was completely unexpected.

“Actually, I’m really excited,” he confided. “My granddaughter’s coming home for the first time. I can barely sit still.”

Anna immediately thought of Meg. They hadn’t been aware of her whereabouts until she came looking for her family. Anna had always wondered where she was and how she was doing, yearning to hug her and hold her tight. She didn’t know if Graham had met his grandchild before but she could very well understand his emotions.

“Her birthday’s coming up soon,” Graham prattled on. “I’ve planned a big party for her. I’m going to need your help there, Anna.”

Anna stopped thinking about Meg and focused on Graham.

“What’s that?”

The song ended and Gino led them all to a table next to some hydrangeas. An old fashioned lantern was placed on it and a fat candle glowed inside, its flame casting a golden light around them.

“You’re undoubtedly the best baker in town. Those cherry lime cupcakes are proof.”

Anna thanked him for the compliment, guessing what was coming next.

“Will you bake a cake for my party?” Graham’s eyes shone brightly. “I don’t know what flavor she likes but it must be the biggest one you have ever baked. I’m thinking at least five tiers. Enough to feed a hundred people and then some.”

“That’s outside my expertise,” Anna protested. “Why don’t you contact one of the specialty bakeries in the city? I can recommend a few.”

“No, no,” Graham insisted. “Nothing commercial. I want your special touch.”

“What about MJ, Mom?” Cassie butted in. “I’m sure the two of you can manage a cake, even a big fancy one.”

“I almost forgot about MJ!” Anna slapped her forehead.

The sky exploded in a riot of color as the fireworks show began. Meg and Leo joined them as everyone marveled at the myriad colors lighting up around them. All eyes were glued to the sky for the next fifteen minutes. Anna barely noticed when Julie and Mary came and sat next to her.

The first person she noticed after the show ended was MJ.

“We were just talking about you!” she exclaimed.

“No wonder my ears were burning,” MJ quipped. “Something good, I hope.”

Anna quickly told her about Graham’s request for the birthday cake.

“Sure, no problem, Doc!” MJ nodded at Graham. “We can meet later this week and discuss the details.”

“You two know each other?” Anna didn’t hide her surprise.

“It’s a small town,” MJ shrugged. “I think I better get going, Anna. All these people will be lining up at the café tomorrow, bright and early.”

“Wait.” Julie held up her hand. “I’m your ride, remember? Just let me grab a piece of Sally’s cherry cobbler. She only makes it once a year.”

“I can walk, no problem,” MJ assured her.

“Why don’t I drop you off?” Graham volunteered. “I’m headed that way myself.”

MJ accepted gratefully and the two said their goodbyes. Anna saw them walk down the street to the parking lot. A big luxury sedan backed out after a few minutes and MJ gave a final wave from the passenger seat as it sped up and went out of sight.

Julie had returned with a tray loaded with plates of cherry cobbler for all of them. Each piece was topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Anna dug the plastic spoon in, making sure she got a bit of ice cream, crust and fruit filling, all in one bite.

Julie frowned at her, licking the sticky syrup off her spoon.

“How does MJ know Graham Hudson?”

Chapter 3

Anna poured herself a cup of coffee the next morning and stepped out into her garden. The sky was streaked in shades of peach and orange and the sound of birdsong filled the air. Anna sat on a stone bench, admiring the daffodils and a young rose bush climbing over an unfinished trellis. She had always wanted one. Gino was building it for her with his nephew Leo’s help.

There was a gentle splash as a body plunged into their pool. Cassie waved and began swimming laps. She kept up a rigorous exercise regimen through the year. In the summer, that meant endless laps in the pool in addition to her morning run over the cliffs.

Anna set her coffee cup aside and closed her eyes. Soon, she was taking deep, relaxing breaths, trying to clear her mind. Images from the previous evening flashed across, bringing a smile to her face. It had been late when they got home but they had all been too wound up to go to bed right away. They had watched one of Cassie’s old movies, teasing her mercilessly.

Meg was bustling around in the kitchen when Anna went in.

“Why is everyone up early? You were going to sleep in.”

Meg added a splash of cream to a bowl of eggs and began whisking them. A mound of diced vegetables lay next to her on a big wooden cutting board. Anna pulled on an apron and put four slices of bread in the toaster.

“Mom woke me up.” Meg rolled her eyes. “She wanted me to hit the pool with her but I’m going surfing later. Then I couldn’t go back to sleep.”

“When can we come watch you?”

“I’m not that good yet, Grandma! Let me get the hang of it first.” She laughed heartily.

Cassie came in just as Anna was flipping a golden omelet onto a plate.

“That looks tempting. But I’ll stick to my smoothie and go for a run.”

Anna told her she was making an egg white omelet with spinach for her.

“I’ll use that low fat cheese you got from the city. Make sure you eat that after you get back from your run.”

The blender whirred, drowning out her voice.

“Have you talked to Gino this morning?” Cassie took a long sip of her green smoothie and leaned against the counter, placing a hand on Meg’s back.

Meg speared a big piece of her omelet and winked.

“Did you stay up all night talking to him? Don’t be shy, Grandma. You looked quite dreamy on that dance floor.”

Anna shook her head and smiled, trying to hide a frisson of worry. Gino always let her know when he got home. Lately, they had taken to exchanging some ardent messages before going to bed.

“You had fun with Leo, didn’t you?” She tried to divert attention away from herself.

Meg opened her mouth to protest.

“You two looked pretty cozy, kiddo.” Cassie ruffled her daughter’s hair. “Don’t deny it.”

“I wasn’t going to.” Meg pressed her lips. “Leo and I have always got along well. You know that.”

“What happened to that young man of yours?” Anna asked. “You didn’t invite him here for Founder’s Day?”

“Drake is out of the country,” Meg sighed. “He’s on a buying trip across Europe.”

“Did you ever get a chance to talk to Drake, Mom?” Cassie asked. “Why didn’t he tell us about that missing artifact? The porcelain doll?”

“He wasn’t aware of it.” Meg defended her boyfriend.

“Do you believe that?” Cassie asked Anna.

“Drake abandoned the Blue Hill project long before things got exciting. He had a rare job offer and nothing was going to come in the way of that.”

“So he didn’t know about the threats Dad received,” Cassie guessed. “Or that lab where they sent the doll for testing.”

“It was all news to him,” Meg stressed. “But you can ask him again when he gets back, Mom. He’ll be gone all summer.”

“So you’re at a loose end, then,” Anna commiserated. “At least we’ll see more of you. Right, Cassie?”

Cassie laced her shoes and began doing stretches on the spot. She had recently secured a role, lending her voice to the princess in a new animated film. Most of the work would be done from home but she was going to be busy.

“My schedule’s packed but I’ll make sure we have some fun together,” she told them.

Meg realized it was time for her surfing lesson. Anna scooted the girls out of the kitchen and cleaned up. By the time she took a quick shower and dressed, she had forgotten all about calling Gino.

It was a picture perfect summer day and Anna admired the colorful flowers blooming everywhere as she rode her bike to the café. Tufts of white cottony clouds crept across a bright blue sky and sailboats studded the bay like jewels.

Anna stood on the petal strewn sidewalk under the magnolia tree outside her bookstore, breathing in the fresh lemony scent. Her store was occupied by some of the regulars, ensconced in comfy chairs, browsing through their favorite magazines and books.

A familiar figure hailed her from the reading table. Ian Samuels was the editor of the Chronicle, the local weekly newspaper. He had a big mug of his favorite coffee by his side, along with a plate of cherry studded scones.

“Good Morning, Ian!” Anna greeted him. “Working hard on the Founder’s Day edition?”

“It’s one of our most awaited.” Ian closed his laptop and picked up his coffee. “I think I’m going to spend the day here.” He swept a hand over the tall glass windows that looked out over the Coastal Walk and the shimmering water of the bay. “Better than sitting alone in that musty old office.”

“And the view’s better?” Anna smiled. “You’re always welcome here. Let me know if you need anything.”

“MJ’s taking excellent care of me,” Ian assured her. “I don’t know where you found her, Anna, but that girl’s a gem.”

“So you keep telling me,” Anna murmured and wished him a good day.

She greeted a few other customers who barely looked up from their books and walked into the café through the connecting arch.

Julie and Mary were seated at their usual table, waiting for her.

“You’re late!” Julie announced. “We sampled the Black Forest cake MJ’s trying out but I need my coffee.”

“She must have overslept.” Mary gave her a once over, a faint smile on her lips.

“That’s what happens when a woman who’s pushing sixty has a beau.” Julie gave her a knowing look. “You stayed up talking to Gino, didn’t you?”

Anna slid in next to Mary and glared at the both of them.

“What is it with you people? I’m not some silly teenager with a first crush. I have many things to do with my time.”

“Did you two have a fight?” Julie pounced. “You need to go easy on him, Anna. You don’t know how lucky you are, finding love at our age.”

MJ arrived with their coffee. There was a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a big slice of cake for Anna.

“Try this Black Forest cake, Anna. I used fresh cherries macerated in kirsch which is cherry liqueur. Dr. Hudson said he liked chocolate so I thought about making this for his big party.”

“That’s a great idea.” Anna took a small bite and closed her eyes, allowing the flavors to fill her mouth. “Delicious! Well done, MJ. I’m sure he’s going to like it.”

MJ assured her she had three or four different kinds of cake in mind for the party. They would give the doctor ample choice.

“Can’t do enough for our patron of the year,” Anna agreed.

MJ walked away, looking pleased.

Anna took a few more bites of the cake and savored the taste. She had to admit MJ had real talent.

Gino walked into the café and stood by the grandmother clock at the entrance, looking uncertain. Anna sensed his turmoil.

“Why’s he lurking near the door?” Julie asked outright.

Gino noticed the three ladies staring at him and couldn’t ignore them. He walked to their table and sat down heavily.

“We hear you’ve been MIA,” Julie boomed. “Lovers’ tiff?”

Anna leaned forward imperceptibly, placing her hand on Gino’s.

“What’s bothering you? Are you coming down with something?”

Gino rubbed the spot between his eyes and sighed deeply.

“I have some bad news, Anna. You need to brace yourself.”

Anna’s mind flew to her girls. Had Meg had a surfing accident? She had warned her to be careful but surfing was a dangerous sport.

“Cassie and Meg are fine.” Gino rushed to assure her. “This is about Graham Hudson.”

“What about him?” Anna asked numbly. “We’re going to bake a big cake for his granddaughter’s birthday party.”

Gino took a deep breath and exhaled noisily.

“Graham Hudson is dead. He passed away last night, Anna.” He took in her stunned expression and clasped her hands in his. “I was the one who found him.”

“Did you follow him home?” Anna asked, bewildered.

None of them could have guessed what Gino told them next. He had been on his way home the previous night when he spotted Graham’s car pulled up on the shoulder.

“I got down to check if he needed help,” he explained. “He was already gone.”

“He seemed to be in good health,” Anna muttered, remembering how the older man had danced with all of them for the better part of two hours. “You never know, do you?”

Gino hesitated before he spoke again.

“He was shot.”

Anna’s eyes grew wide as she tried to comprehend what she had just heard.

“Are you saying he was murdered?”

Chapter 4

Anna stared at her avocado toast the next morning, thinking about the previous day. The news of Graham Hudson’s death had spread through town like wildfire. The Yellow Tulip diner had been packed when the Firecrackers went there for lunch. The gossips were out in full force and Anna realized Gino had withheld some of the gory details from them.

“Who are you going to meet first, Mom?” Cassie asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Anna stared at the bottle of hot sauce before her and picked it up out of habit.

“What do you mean, dear?” She sprinkled the sauce over her toast.

“Aren’t you going to find out what happened to Graham?”

“We barely knew him.”

“That’s never stopped you before,” Cassie pointed out smugly.

Anna told her the police were on the job.

“I have a lot on my plate. And this is the only summer Meg’s going to be home, remember? She’ll be off for a semester abroad or an internship next year.”

“So take her with you.” Cassie wasn’t about to give up easily. “Based on the grapevine, the police are ready to wrap this up with a big bow. They are saying Graham committed suicide.”

Anna chewed her toast, not willing to accept it tasted like mush.

“You saw the man that evening!” Cassie grew incensed. “Did he look like someone about to take his own life?”

“And he was a doctor. Let’s not forget that.” Meg had come into the kitchen. She poured some cereal into a bowl and stole a glance at Anna. “Shall I make some pancakes for you, Grandma?”

Anna barely heard her.

“Admit it, Mom!” Cassie pressed. “You know there’s something fishy about this thing.”

“We don’t have enough information to make that kind of statement, Cassie,” Anna replied. “The police are adept at doing their job.”

“Since when?” Cassie cried.

“Why do you want to get involved?” Anna shot back. “I think you should focus on rebuilding your career. Concentrate on that new role you got.”

Meg stopped chomping her cereal and looked up.

“Grandma’s right, Mom. How’s that new voiceover coming? Your fans are excited. Many think you are brave, doing something different.”

Cassie didn’t back down.

“I can read people, Mom. That man was excited about seeing his granddaughter. There’s no way he shot himself a few hours later.”

Anna relented. Cassie had a tough veneer but deep down, she had a soft heart. Graham Hudson’s death had affected her daughter deeply.

“What if we had a small wake for him at the café? Let me talk to the girls.”

Cassie nodded and thanked her. She had a three hour recording session that morning but she promised to catch up with them later.

Meg and Anna walked to the café, enjoying the cool breeze rolling off the bay. The café was doing brisk business and they both stepped into the fray and began helping MJ.

“People can’t stop talking about Dr. Hudson,” MJ muttered while pulling out a fresh tray of cupcakes from the oven. “He was a good man.”

The Firecrackers arrived for coffee. Julie had circles under her eyes, proof of a sleepless night. Anna wasn’t surprised to hear she had been up all night, working against a deadline.

“When are you going to ease up on your schedule?” Anna expressed her concern. “Looks like you’re always trying to beat some impossible deadline.”

Mary agreed wholeheartedly and the trio launched into a passionate discussion regarding Julie’s workload.

“Most people are thinking about retirement at our age,” Mary hinted.

“Not writers,” Julie laughed. “Most of them produce their best work in their sixties and seventies.”

That set them off on a new tangent.

“What about that world cruise we have been saving up for?” Anna demanded. “We are leaving the moment Mary turns 65. Make sure it’s on your calendar.”

“How could I forget?” Julie scoffed. “But that’s a few years away. We’ll attend your wedding before that.”

It was Anna’s turn to laugh.

“Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse?”

Their lively dialogue was interrupted by a group of women streaming into the café, led by a petite gray haired martinet with a fierce expression that promised to slay anyone who dared cross her path.

“What’s the Garden Committee doing here, Mary?” Julie hissed.

The Garden Committee was the generic term for a group of women who handled much more than that. They organized the town’s annual festivals and had an unofficial finger in every pie.

Many of them had given Anna the cut direct for the past few years. They frequented the café when it suited them but they rarely made polite conversation with Anna.

The ladies came to a stop three steps away from the Firecrackers.

“What have I done now, Agnes?” Anna asked sharply. “Planted a rose bush without your approval?”

“We need to talk.” Agnes folded her arms and looked mutinous.

Sally Davis, the school teacher, stepped forward. She had always been Anna’s staunch supporter.

“Please, Anna. Do you have a few minutes for us?”

MJ and Meg arrived to see what was going on. They joined a few tables so all the ladies could sit together.

“I’m not leaving Anna,” Julie warned.

“Good,” Sally nodded. “You and Mary need to hear this too.”

MJ and Meg scurried off to get coffee for everyone.

“What’s going on?” Anna rushed ahead. “What have I done now?”

“Money is missing from the Founder’s Day collections,” Agnes announced.

“And let me guess …” Anna was caustic. “You think I’m responsible.”

Sally rushed to elaborate.

“Nobody thinks that, Anna. We need your help.”

The ladies took turns narrating their story. Thousands were missing from the Founder’s Day fund. They didn’t know if it was an accounting error or if someone had embezzled the money.

“And this is the money you collected at the festival?” Anna wanted to be clear.

“Not just that,” Agnes spoke up. “We place many collection boxes across town through the spring, at restaurants, stores etc. Sponsors send in checks or transfer money. And we charge a fee for people to visit the festival.”

“There’s a shortfall,” Sally said grimly. “No doubt about it.”

“Are you asking shop owners to make up for it?” Anna still wasn’t sure what the ladies wanted from her. “The café’s doing good but we’re spending a lot on free samples and promotion. Profit is not very high.”

“We want you to find out what happened.” Agnes cleared her throat. “Sally says you are quite the detective. The Garden Committee will consider paying you for services rendered.”

Anna couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Julie read her mind.

“What about all those nasty allegations you made, Agnes? Does this mean you believe Anna is innocent of John’s murder?”

Agnes looked uncomfortable.

“What does one have to do with the other?”

“You’re innocent until proven otherwise, Anna,” Sally interrupted hurriedly. “Agnes knows that.”

“She needs to say it,” Julie spat. “You’ve got some nerve, asking for our help after the way you treated Anna.”

Agnes’s face contorted into a grimace. Everyone at the table waited with bated breath. Anna saw her bite her lips and waver. Then she sat up straighter, having made up her mind.

“I may have been hasty in judging you. I’m sorry, Anna.”

There was a collective sigh of relief among the women.

“So will you do it?” Sally asked again. “We are not keen on going to the police.”

Anna promised to think about it.

MJ and Meg arrived with an assortment of freshly baked scones and cookies. Anna urged the ladies to try something, slipping into the role of hostess.

The day passed in a blur. Anna went home in the afternoon, eager to take a nap. She felt like there was a lot happening too quickly. She had barely got a minute to process any of it.

The sun was hanging low over the water when Anna woke. She stood at the kitchen sink, sipping a glass of water, staring out of the window.

Cassie came in and opened a bottle of wine. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned deeply.

“Care for pizza?”

Anna shrugged. She didn’t have the inclination to cook anything.

“I’m fine!” she held up a hand when Cassie’s eyes clouded with worry. “I think all those days preparing for Founder’s Day are catching up with me.”

“You mean baking hundreds of cupcakes is tiring?” Cassie joked. “Pizza it is! I know Meg won’t mind.”

Dinner was quieter than usual. Meg was busy attacking the pizza. Cassie brooded in her wine. Anna ate slowly, relishing the robust sauce and hot melted cheese.

“Where did you rush off to earlier?” she asked Meg. “More surfing?”

Meg told them she had received a message from Leo, asking her to join him for a late lunch. They had gone to the diner.

“Did Leo say anything about the doctor?” Cassie looked up.

“They believe Graham Hudson shot himself.” Meg put her slice down and looked at the two of them. “Leo says his death will be ruled a suicide, unless someone comes forward to challenge them.”

Chapter 5

Cassie jogged along the Coastal Walk, her eyes half closed. She had slept fitfully and had really wanted to stay in. Bobby called and insisted she get going.

“You need to get those miles in, sweetie. I already swam fifty laps and did ten miles on the treadmill.”

Bobby, a celebrity fitness trainer in Hollywood, was Cassie’s best friend.

“You have five weeks before you give the screen test for that super hero movie,” Bobby reminded her. “You have to look lean and mean, girl.”

Fueled by the thought of another Academy Award, Cassie had forced herself out of bed. She had to run two loops along the Coastal Walk, the scenic path along the cliffs that looked out over the Bay.

Cassie surprised herself by running three loops instead of two and stumbled toward her favorite bench, bleary eyed and panting for breath. A cheerful voice hailed her.

“Gotta lay off those cupcakes, Cass! We all want you to land that role.”

“You too?” Cassie stared at Teddy Fowler, her friend from high school. He and his wife were big fans of hers. “Bobby just read me the riot act.”

“You need to listen to him.” Teddy shook his head. “Do you or do you not want this role? That little cameo you did in that web series has riled up your fans. Everyone wants you to star in a big movie now, claim your rightful place.”

Cassie was quiet. She stared at the water, watching the seagulls ride over the waves.

“Are you having second thoughts?” Teddy sat next to her and began stretching his toes. “If you ask me, you have to shake off that inertia. They don’t call this a sleepy town for nothing.”

Cassie admitted he was right.

“I’m finally getting comfortable here. Mom’s on the mend. Meg’s home at last and the café is flourishing. I can make myself useful.”

Teddy folded his arms and stared at her.

“I think you’re taking the easy way out. You’re afraid of failure.”

Cassie wondered when Teddy had become so wise. He was stodgy and dependable but she had never thought he was the brightest bulb in the box.

“My fans remember me as the girl who won an Oscar in her twenties. But if I fail now, I’ll be the middle aged has-been who could never make a comeback.”

“Or you will be the bold woman who took the plunge and reinvented herself,” Teddy shrugged. “Meg will fly the nest in a couple of years. Anna will probably marry Gino and she has the Firecrackers looking out for her. Don’t hold yourself back.”

“Alright, alright!” Cassie laughed and started doing jumping jacks. “That’s a bit heavy this early in the morning. I haven’t even had my smoothie yet.”

They helped each other stretch and the talk veered to Graham Hudson.

“Are you on the case?”

“There is no case,” Teddy replied. “The old man shot himself.”

Cassie argued Graham hadn’t been old and she didn’t believe he killed himself.

“I danced with him that night, you know. He was full of life and he had lots of plans for the future.”

“Maybe it was a last hurrah,” Teddy shrugged. “The evidence says something else, Cass. We have to go by that.”

Anna and Meg had already left by the time Cassie got home. The weather promised a sunny day with highs in the 70s. Cassie went out and swam laps in the pool, mulling over Ted’s advice. She needed to make a decision soon. There was no point in taking a half hearted approach.

Bobby’s face flashed on the screen as she sipped her green smoothie.

“Intermittent fasting,” he snapped. “It’s given great results. We’re putting you on a 16/8 regimen.”

“Not now, Bobby!” Cassie hit the red button on her phone and sighed.

She uncovered the plate Anna had left for her and fell upon the poached egg and avocado toast. She dressed in her usual ensemble of white shirt and blue jeans and chose a yellow Hermes scarf from her collection.

Twenty minutes later, Cassie sat behind the cash register at the bookstore, looking forward to studying her lines for the next recording session. Most of the customers were happy browsing through books and magazines and they didn’t need her unless they wanted to purchase something.

Meg dropped in some time later with a plate of salad.

“MJ made a roasted cherry vinaigrette. She wants you to try it.”

Cassie looked at the colorful assortment of grilled chicken, cucumbers, red onion and cashews, studded with fresh sliced cherries and couldn’t resist. A variety of flavors exploded in her mouth and she went in for a second bite.

“Two thumbs up!” she crowed. “Have you tasted this, Meg? It’s delicious. Mom needs to give MJ a raise before someone else snatches her from us.”

“The roasted cashews were my idea,” Meg informed her shyly.

“Have you talked to Mom again?” Cassie asked her. “Teddy says the case is as good as closed.”

Meg told her Anna and the Firecrackers were about to go out for lunch. Cassie sprang up and they both walked into the café through the arch.

Anna was checking herself in the small mirror outside the kitchen and Julie and Mary were almost at the door.

“Have you given any thought to Graham Hudson, Mom?” Cassie asked her. “He was a good man.”

“I didn’t really know him.” Anna brushed her off and picked up her handbag. “Most people are good, Cassie. I’m already infamous for butting my head in where I’m not wanted. Luckily, we have no connection with that man and none of my loved ones are implicated. Now a beautiful summer day is waiting for me outside and so are my friends. I’ll see you later.”

Cassie stared after her mother, her hands on her hips. She took Meg’s arm and took her back to the bookstore.

“She’s a stubborn old woman.”

“So are you.” Meg’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Are you giving up so easily?”

Cassie’s mouth hardened in resolve.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking, sweet child of mine?”

“No harm in walking through it.” Meg shrugged.

Cassie looked around and made sure no one needed any help. Most of the people hadn’t stirred from their usual spots. She gave a slight nod and stepped into the small office at the back. Barely larger than a closet, it had a desk with a computer where Anna did the accounts. There was a small sink and countertop with an ancient coffee machine and an old refrigerator.

“Let’s take it from the top,” Cassie said brightly, “as we say in show business.”

Meg’s brow furrowed in thought.

“If we think Graham didn’t take his own life, we have to consider the alternative, Mom.”

“So we assume someone murdered him,” Cassie nodded. “The question is who.”

“Was it a random act?” Meg mused. “He was found on a country road, wasn’t he? We barely have any traffic there at night.”

Cassie agreed with Meg. The chances of him being at the wrong place at the wrong time were slim.

“But we had a lot of tourists at the festival, remember?” Meg continued. “Could one of them have taken a wrong turn and missed the highway?”

“And what? They asked Graham for directions?” Cassie tried to picture the scene.

Tourists often lost their way in the big city. She was used to be being hailed at traffic lights by someone in the adjoining lane. But the country road had only one lane.

“Someone coming from the opposite direction might have flashed their lights, asking for assistance.”

“In that case, he would stop in the middle of the road,” Meg reasoned. “Gino said they found his car on the shoulder.”

“What if this other person was already parked on the shoulder?”

“Graham still didn’t need to get off the road,” Meg argued. “Didn’t he live in the city before coming here? He was on a dark, deserted road and it was pretty late.”

“But Graham was a do-gooder,” Cassie said glumly. “And a doctor. His first instinct would be to offer help.”

MJ peeped in and handed them a tray of dessert and coffee.

“You’re a lifesaver!” Cassie thanked her and picked up a mug of cappuccino. “Bobby’s putting me on some diet so I’m going to enjoy these berry tarts while I can.”

Meg told MJ to holler if she needed any help.

“Did Graham live alone?” she asked Cassie. “He talked about his granddaughter but what about the rest of his family?”

“You know what? I have no idea. He went on and on about that big party he was planning. We never talked about anything else.”

Meg’s eyes shone with excitement as she stared at Cassie.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Chapter 6

The yellow Mercedes convertible sped down the curving road toward Graham Hudson’s home. Cassie had called Ian Samuels at the Chronicle and talked him into parting with Graham’s address.

“You’re saving me a trip.” He could never say no to Cassie. “But promise you will share any scoop with me.”

The two girls had walked out of the café with their fingers crossed, hoping they wouldn’t run into the Firecrackers. Their luck held.

“Shouldn’t we call Grandma?” Meg asked for the third time.

Cassie gave her a withering look.

“For the umpteenth time, Meg. No! You don’t call the teacher when you cut class.”

Meg responded by telling her she had never played hooky from school.

“No school, no lunch,” she explained.

Cassie swallowed a lump and squeezed her daughter’s hand. Meg rarely shared details of her life as a foster kid but the little she did tell them was often gut wrenching. Cassie knew they couldn’t change the past. She and Anna had both had to accept that. Meg rarely opened up but they were trying to encourage her to share more.

The gravel road turned into a dusty track for a hundred meters and ended at a rickety wooden gate that was wide open. The mailbox mounted on it confirmed they had reached the Hudson residence.

Cassie drove through and pulled up in front of a two story colonial. The place was quiet and they wondered if it was deserted.

Meg clambered up the steps to the front porch and rang the doorbell. A dog barked inside and they heard a pair of heavy footsteps coming toward the door.

“We don’t want anything.” A crusty voice grumbled before the door opened fully.

Cassie summoned her most charming smile and greeted the gray haired woman standing inside.

“We are from the Dolphin Bay Chronicle. Can we come in please?”

The woman stepped aside reluctantly and ushered them down the small foyer into a cozy living room.

Cassie made the introductions.

“Are you Graham’s sister?” she hazarded a guess.

The woman wiped her hands on her apron and shook her head vigorously.

“Oh no! I’m Mrs. Jones, the housekeeper.”

Cassie told her the whole town was mourning the loss of Dr. Hudson.

“He was awarded Patron Of The Year. The Chronicle does an obituary for most notable people but in this case, the editor decided to do a full page spread.”

Mrs. Jones looked flustered. She wasn’t familiar with the local newspaper.

“That sounds kind,” she ventured.

“We would like to interview you and anyone who lives here,” Cassie continued smoothly.

“We always add quotes from the immediate family members,” Meg interjected. “In most cases, we don’t have enough space to accommodate all the requests but that won’t be a problem with the full page article.”

A tall man dressed for golf walked into the room. His mouth stretched into a smile, revealing a set of dimples. The smile lit up his green eyes.

Mrs. Jones sprang up and clutched her apron.

“Here’s Mr. Dennis. You can talk to him.”

She scurried out of the room without a backward glance.

Cassie introduced herself again.

“Graham didn’t mention a son.”

“Dennis Myers.” The handsome young man sat down and placed one foot over his knee. “Graham Hudson was my uncle.”

“You have his eyes,” Meg nodded. “They are a peculiar shade of green.”

“Family trait.” Dennis shrugged. “What brings you here? If you’re looking for some salacious gossip to print in your paper, you came to the wrong place.”

“We mean to honor your uncle,” Cassie told him. “His generosity will be remembered for years to come. The Chronicle just wants to tell his story.”

Dennis gave a yawn and rearranged the photo frame on the coffee table.

“Won’t bring him back,” he snorted.

Cassie asked for a quote. He told them he would think about it.

“We didn’t see you at the festival,” Meg commented.

Dennis told them he wasn’t interested in small town events.

“Graham was enjoying himself,” Cassie told him. “He was excited about meeting his granddaughter.”

“Is she still coming here?” Meg inquired. “Now that Graham …”

“Who knows?” Dennis finally looked up and gave a shrug. “So he told you about her?” His smirk was unmistakable.

Cassie observed him closely.

“My mother owns a café in town. Graham wanted her to bake a big birthday cake for the party he was planning.”

“That’s too much!” Dennis exclaimed and wrung a hand through his hair. “I didn’t know he was that desperate.”

“What do you mean?” Meg burst out. “Are you saying he was lying?”

Dennis rubbed his eyes and stared outside. He seemed to come to a decision.

“I shouldn’t be saying this to the press. Can you keep this off the record?”

Cassie nodded, hoping he would continue.

“I’m not sure this girl exists.”

He told them Graham had hired a lawyer to find his missing granddaughter. But there was no proof he had actually found her. Dennis had a strong hunch the lawyer had been stringing his uncle along.

“That’s terrible,” Cassie cried.

Graham’s beaming face flashed before her eyes. He had big plans for his granddaughter, beginning with a special welcome dinner. He’d wanted Cassie’s advice on how to handle the girl, knowing she had gone through something similar with Meg.

“What about the rest of his family?” Meg asked. “Does he have a wife or any children?”

“Graham’s wife died a couple of years ago,” Dennis told them. “He does have a daughter but they have been estranged for years.”

“Where does she live?” Cassie quizzed.

“No idea. Angela left when she was in her teens. She was into drugs. Never got along with the old man.”

“Any other family?” Meg dug deeper. “Cousins maybe?”

“I’m pretty much it.” Dennis smiled wanly.

“Who’s going to care for this house now that Graham’s gone?” Cassie asked.

She had a pretty good idea.

Dennis told them the lawyer probably had a copy of Graham’s will. He would stick around for a while until things settled down.

“Graham did leave specific instructions for his last rites. He’s to be cremated and he wanted to throw a party for his friends. We are thinking about a small memorial service right here.”

Cassie asked if he wanted the Chronicle to announce that. Dennis told her they might as well do it.

“Uncle Graham liked living in this town. I suppose he would want to invite the locals.”

Meg wanted to know about the last time Dennis had talked to his uncle.

“We had lunch together, like most days.  I don’t think I saw him after that. Why?”

“Did he seem worried about anything?” Meg asked. “I mean, did he look like he was planning to end it?”

Dennis told them he hadn’t noticed anything different. Graham had been lonely, more so after the death of his wife. He didn’t have a big social life.

“If he was depressed, he hid it well.”

“Are you insinuating he was?” Cassie probed. “So you think he took his own life.”

“Whether I believe it or not, my uncle is no longer with us.” Dennis stood up and walked out of the room, clearly dismissing them. “I need to be somewhere.”

Meg and Cassie filed out of the room reluctantly. Mrs. Jones stood in the foyer, halfheartedly running a feather duster over the console table. Cassie wondered if she had been listening in on them.

“See them out.” Dennis barked at the housekeeper.

“Where were you that night?” Meg addressed his back. “You didn’t attend the Founder’s Day festival.”

Dennis stopped and turned around, leaning against the staircase. His eyes hardened and bore into Meg’s.

“I was right here, at home.”

Cassie sensed he was on the verge of losing his cool. She thanked him for his time and grabbed Meg’s arm, steering her out of the house.

They didn’t say a word until they cleared the wooden gate and reached the gravel road.

“Dennis Myers!” Meg exclaimed. “Graham didn’t even mention him.”

“What about that Mrs. Jones?” Cassie shook her head. “She could have brought us a drink.”

Cassie decided they needed ice cream. She drove to a small beach at one end of the Coastal Walk. It boasted a kiosk with a colorful awning and the best hand churned ice cream a hundred miles up and down the shore.

Mother and daughter stood in line, salivating over the thought of the cool treat. Meg chose strawberry and Cassie went in for white chocolate, agreeing to switch half way.

“So that Dennis is quite a hunk, huh.”

“I think he was too eager to get rid of us, Mom.”

Chapter 7

Anna crumbled some Italian sausage and added it to a hot skillet. She was making carbonara pasta for dinner. She’d had a busy day and wasn’t in the mood to cook an elaborate meal. At the same time, she craved something homemade and comforting.

Meg came out and began chopping salad. Cassie was rehearsing for her next session.

“You look tired, Grandma.”

Anna admitted she was looking forward to putting her feet up and snoozing in her favorite chair after dinner. She had picked up a coconut cake from the local market for dessert.

Cassie came out, stifling a yawn. She opened a bottle of Anna’s favorite wine and set it out to breathe. She went out and began setting the table.

Anna tossed the hot pasta in a mixture of eggs and cream and poured it into a platter.

“Let’s eat, girls.”

Meg finished her first serving and reached for more.

“What did you do after lunch, Grandma?”

“Yeah, Mom!” Cassie munched her salad. “You weren’t home when we got in.”

Anna didn’t speak for a moment. Then she gave a tiny shrug.

“We ran into Sally Davis at the China Garden restaurant.”

“Did you have orange chicken?” Cassie smacked her lips. “Been a while since I ate that.”

Anna sat back and folded her arms, looking piqued at the interruption.

“Did Sally say something?” Cassie prodded.

Anna told them Sally had come to the restaurant looking for her.

“The Garden Committee sent her there.” Anna’s tone conveyed her disbelief. “They wanted to meet me urgently.”

“For what?” Meg asked, twirling spaghetti on her fork. “Were they on the warpath again? Or is this about the Founder’s Day funds?”

“Just hear me out …”

Anna had been surprised when Sally urged her to meet the ladies in an hour. Julie was against it. The ladies had literally brought Anna to tears in the past few years.

“You shouldn’t go running the moment they snap their fingers,” Cassie nodded. “I’m with Aunt Julie on this one.”

“Sally was insistent,” Anna sighed. “And Sally’s always been good to me so I couldn’t say no to her.”

“Which is why they must have sent her, rather than come themselves,” Cassie huffed.

Anna served herself the last of the pasta and told Meg to mop up the sauce with a piece of bread.

“Do you want to hear this or not?” Anna clucked.

Cassie promised to be quiet and began slicing the coconut cake.

“You’re never going to guess what happened later.” Anna’s eyes shone and her mouth twitched with a smile. “Money’s definitely missing and the deficit isn’t small enough to ignore.” She paused dramatically. “The ladies believe Lara Crawford is behind it all.”

Meg and Cassie started talking at once.

“What do you mean, behind it?” Cassie’s eyes widened. “Are they accusing Lara Crawford of cooking the books?”

“Stealing money?” Meg added.

“That’s exactly what they think.” Anna sat back and beamed at them. “Now I’ve heard it all!”

Cassie absently took a bite of her cake.

“What if it’s a ploy? I say Lara is up to no good.”

“The Garden Committee agrees.” Anna smirked. “Agnes asked for my help.”

“Wait a minute, wait a minute …” Cassie set her fork down. “So these women are finally realizing the woman they worshipped all these years is a crook. Better late than never, I say. But what are you supposed to do about it?”

“They want me to prove it,” Anna replied calmly. “Find out what she did and collect enough evidence to put her behind bars.”

Meg clapped her hands.

“If anyone can do it, Grandma, you can.”

Cassie’s face had hardened.

“I don’t agree. We decided to stay away from that woman, Mom. You are talking about poking the bear.”

“Lara Crawford has done everything possible to make our life hell,” Anna grunted. “Have you forgotten that, Cassie?”

“So what? You want revenge?”

Anna began eating her cake.

“She’s a bully, girls. And it’s time she got her comeuppance.”

Meg nodded encouragingly.

“You’re the only one in town who dared to stand up to her, Grandma. The locals know that and they admire you for it.”

Cassie told them it would not be easy. Lara Crawford would use every dirty trick in her arsenal against Anna. They hadn’t seen the worst she was capable of.

“Stop being dramatic!” Anna rolled her eyes. “If I decide to do this, I will have the whole town behind me. And maybe I can finally make peace with the Garden Committee.”

Cassie opened her mouth to protest but Anna held up a hand, motioning her to be quiet.

“I’ve been on Lara’s wrong side for years. I’m not afraid of her.”

Cassie told her to sleep on it. Meg offered to help any way she could.

Anna wondered if Gino would oppose the idea as vehemently as Cassie.

Meg helped her clear the table and Cassie started doing the dishes. Soon, they were all settled in their favorite chairs in the living room.

“What have you two been up to?” Anna raised an eyebrow. “Ian Samuels called earlier with a message for you.”

Cassie cleared her throat and looked at Meg.

“We helped him with the article he’s doing on Graham Hudson.”

“He mentioned a memorial,” Anna hinted. “Care to elaborate?”

Meg looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Cassie gave a deep sigh.

“It’s for Graham Hudson. He left specific instructions about it.”

“And how do you know that?” Anna didn’t back down.

Cassie admitted they had visited Graham’s house.

“Why are you so obsessed with him?” Anna frowned. “Let the police handle it, girls.”

Meg told her about the housekeeper they had encountered and the nephew. When she mentioned Graham’s estranged daughter, Anna couldn’t contain herself.

“Graham never talked about her. I barely knew him, of course. He came to the café once or twice a week and we never ventured beyond discussing the weather.”

“You will come to the memorial service, won’t you?” Cassie asked her. “It will be interesting to see who turns up. We can keep an eye on them and see if anyone’s acting suspicious.”

Anna didn’t hide her frustration.

“I agree we should go pay our respects.”

“Aren’t you even a little curious?” Cassie pouted. “You have solved so many murder cases that stumped the police, Mom. People expect you to pitch in.”

Anna stood up and declared she was going to her room.

“You’re the one who always wants me to stay away. I don’t know what’s different this time. Anyway, I’m going to bed.”

Cassie sprang up and offered Meg a hand.

“Never mind, Mom. Meg and I will do what we can.”

“What about college?” Anna asked Meg. “You didn’t enroll into summer classes because you wanted to work on a research paper.”

“Professor Macdonald promised he would take me on for an independent study if I helped him.” Meg was contrite. “I’m spending the day at the library tomorrow, Grandma.”

Anna drew a bath for herself, adding the bath bombs they had purchased in the city. Cassie had assured her they were handmade using the finest organic and natural ingredients. The soothing fragrance of lavender, mingled with orange blossoms, finally helped her relax.

Anna got into bed, wondering what Gino was doing. He had gone to a neighboring town that afternoon for a meeting with the other vintners in the area. She wondered what it would be like to live in the same house with him, sleep next to him. Then she chided herself for being fantastic. They weren’t even engaged yet.

Her phone chimed and Gino’s face flashed on the screen. She sent him a message and asked about his day. Sometimes, it was easier to type than to speak.

Gino asked her about the Garden Committee. Anna realized the jungle patrol had been active. Gino already knew about the error in the accounts.

“The girls think I shouldn’t mess with Lara Crawford.”

“Why not?” he replied promptly.

“Cassie called it poking the bear.”

Gino thought she was being too kind to Lara.

“Do it because you want the truth,” Gino advised. “Lara is innocent until proven guilty. Any one of those ladies could have pilfered the money.”

Anna had never thought of that. Gino was just echoing what she told anyone who asked for her help. Once she went digging for the truth, she didn’t control what she would find.

“Lara doesn’t care about a few thousand,” she mused. “Why would she risk her career for such a paltry amount?”

Gino told her that was anybody’s guess. He offered to help her if he could.

“You’re too kind.” Anna shot off a smiley face. “That’s what I love about you.”

She hit the backspace key and erased the last line. Then she asked the question that had been nagging her all evening.

“What about Graham Hudson? Do you think I should look into his death?”

Chapter 8

Cassie had back to back recording sessions the next day. The studio wanted her to make a quick visit to Los Angeles for a meeting so she missed the special edition of the Chronicle when it was published. True to his word, Ian Samuels had devoted a whole page to Dr. Graham Hudson. Half the page was taken by a photo of him receiving the Patron Of The Year award. Some of the locals had provided quotes. Cassie noticed a cursory message from Dennis Myers, thanking the town for their condolences and inviting them to the memorial service.

Cassie’s flight was late. Anna and Meg had driven to the airport to pick her up.

“Do I have time to change?” she asked.

Meg shook her head. They were running late.

“I’m not coming,” Anna spoke up. “I’m going to the annual vintners’ dinner with Gino. It’s a long standing engagement I can’t pull out of.”

“Really, Mom?” Cassie frowned in disbelief.

“You and Meg represent the family,” Anna smiled. “I’m sure you will do a good job.”

Cassie had been back in town for a couple of years but she hadn’t attended any local events without Anna and the Firecrackers by her side. She suddenly felt uncertain and her confidence plummeted.

“What do we say to the family?”

“You already met the nephew,” Anna reminded them. “Just tell him Graham is in our thoughts and prayers and offer any help he needs.”

“I’ll be with you, Mom,” Meg offered from the back seat. “Let’s hope they have some good food.”

“Don’t forget the casserole.” Anna had baked a pan of lasagna along with an assortment of cupcakes for the Hudsons.

They dropped Anna off outside the café. Gino was sitting in his car in the parking lot, dressed in a tuxedo. He waved at the girls and climbed down to open the door for Anna.

The sunny day had turned cooler and a stiff breeze blew Cassie’s hair around her face. Meg drove the old convertible, unaffected by the signs of an upcoming storm.

“It’s going to rain,” Cassie remarked. “Better put the top up, Meg.”

They parked in front of the house, next to the half dozen or so cars in the lot.

“We’re either too late or too early,” Meg remarked, lugging the food out.

Mrs. Jones greeted them and steered them to a drinks table. There was a pitcher of lemonade along with an open bottle of wine, next to some cans of soda and a stack of paper cups.

Cassie handed over the food to the housekeeper. She took it without a word and set it on a table next to the drinks which sported some covered dishes.

A portly man with a bald head stood with an empty plate, looking disappointed.

“Slim pickings,” he muttered under his breath, then brightened. “Someone brought lasagna.”

He cut a generous slice and loaded his plate.

Cassie assumed everything was self serve. She poured herself some lemonade and looked around for her daughter.

Meg was chatting with Sally Davis.

“The Garden Committee sends one member to attend these types of events. It was my turn.”

Cassie didn’t believe her. She waved her hand around and commented on the poor turnout. There were less than a dozen people in the room.

“Graham deserved better than this. What’s wrong with people?”

Sally looked uncomfortable.

Dennis Myers stood talking to the older man Cassie had seen earlier. She walked over to greet him.

“The Butler family is sorry for your loss.”

Dennis thanked her for coming. Once again, Cassie was struck by how handsome he was.

“You should be in Hollywood,” she burst out impulsively. “Producers will be lining up to offer you roles.”

“I don’t have an ounce of acting talent,” Dennis laughed. “I’m happy where I am.”

“You look familiar,” the older man frowned at Cassie. “Have I met you before?”

Cassie pointed to the food table.

“I mean, before that,” the man smiled.

Cassie introduced herself and held up a hand, summoning Meg.

“Cassandra Butler, in the flesh?” The man’s eyes grew wide. “The Cassandra Butler?” He turned to Dennis. “You kids don’t know anything. If this lady here says you ought to be in films, I would listen.” He waxed poetic about Cassie’s various roles.

Dennis listened politely and excused himself after a while.

“Where are my manners?” the old man grew flustered. “I forgot to introduce myself.”

Meg watched with a faint smile hovering on her lips.

“Richard Lipman, at your service. I was Graham Hudson’s lawyer.”

Cassie exchanged a swift glance with Meg.

“It was nice of you to come.” Cassie was nonchalant. “I’m sure Graham would have appreciated it.”

Richard Lipman nodded.

“He was a good man, Graham. Actually, I came here for the reading of the will.”

“Oh?” Cassie’s gaze was inquisitive.

Lipman didn’t have any qualms about reporting the contents.

“He left everything to his granddaughter. She’s in for a surprise when she gets here.”

“And until then?” Meg asked.

“Dennis has been looking after the Hudson trust for the past year. He will continue to run it for now. Graham has provided a generous salary for him.”

“Where is she?” Cassie wanted to know. “Graham was so excited to meet her.”

Richard Lipman told them her name was Jessie Taylor and she lived in Florida.

“She works at a senior home and is trying to get into medical school. She also does a lot of volunteer work.”

“Sounds like she took after Graham then,” Meg commented.

Richard Lipman sighed. He had been trying to reach her since Graham’s death. An administrator at the senior home told him Jessie had set off in her car, eager to connect with her family.

“She’s in for a rude shock when she gets here.”

Cassie asked about Angela Hudson.

“I thought she might be here today.”

Lipman lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “Graham didn’t leave her a penny. She walked out of his life a long time ago. Kinda sad, if you ask me.”

“Does Jessie know about Angela?” Meg asked, her eyes clouding with concern.

As far as Lipman knew, Jessie Taylor had never met her birth mother.

“So you didn’t try to track her down?” Cassie pressed. “Angela, I mean.”

Lipman shook his head, explaining he was just following Graham’s instructions. He fished out a visiting card and handed it over.

“In case you need any legal advice.”

Cassie noticed he was from a neighboring town. She wondered where Graham had found him. Lipman told them he had to leave.

Cassie and Meg lingered for a while and headed home.

“You’re yawning your head off, Mom,” Meg giggled. “What kind of mischief did you get into last night?”

Cassie admitted she and Bobby had been up till dawn, talking. He had drawn up an eating plan for her as promised.

“We all want you to ace that screen test, Mom.” Meg was serious. “Super hero movies are very popular and they have plenty of sequels.”

The storm had come and gone while they were at the Hudson house. Cassie breathed in the fresh smell of the wet earth and watched the sun go down over the water. She hoped Anna had saved some dinner for them.

There was a note from Anna on the dining table, taped to a small pan of lasagna. They changed quickly and gave it full justice, taking their dessert out with them to watch a movie.

“Chocolate gelato!” Meg sighed appreciatively after eating a big spoonful. “Is this part of your diet?”

Cassie told her to shut up.

They both dozed off and on as An Affair to Remember played in the background. It was past ten when Anna came home with Gino in tow.

Cassie sat up and snuggled in a soft chenille throw she remembered from high school.

“I thought Dennis Myers might inherit,” Anna mused.

“That would have made him a suspect, right?” Cassie laughed. “Admit it, Mom. You are trying to figure out who has a motive. That means you believe Graham was murdered, even if you won’t acknowledge it.”

Anna clammed up, refusing to be pulled into the same argument they had been having for a week.

Cassie turned to Gino, her eyes pleading.

“What if you went through the evidence the police have? Your trained eye might pick up something that’s insignificant to us.”

Gino promised to talk to some of his old buddies.

“Don’t encourage her.” Anna slapped Gino’s arm. “She needs to focus on her screen test.”

Meg woke up, groaning at the commotion.

“Tell her about that waitress, Mom.”

Cassie explained they had stopped at a gas station on the way back home. She went in to get some coffee. A woman working at the counter heard them talking about Graham.

“Did you know Dr. Hudson?” she asked. “It’s a shame, what happened to him.”

Cassie hadn’t been able to hide her surprise. It turned out Graham had frequently stopped there to pick up some coffee.

“She wants to meet us, away from her place of work. She has some information about Graham Hudson.”

Chapter 9

Anna thought the Coastal Walk was at its prettiest in summer. Colorful flowers bloomed along the borders and patches of wildflowers stretched as far as the cliffs. The Bay was a deep Prussian Blue in the morning light and the heady fragrance of the flowers mingled with the salty tang in the air.

Anna pumped her arms like Bobby had taught her, trying to pick up her pace. Cassie jogged alongside, her eyes puffy with sleep.

“Did you stay up too late?”

Cassie admitted she had been rehearsing until the wee hours of the morning.

“I want to get it just right, Mom.”

They came face to face with two women dressed in identical tracksuits, engrossed in conversation. One of them broke away when she saw Anna.

“Good Morning!” she greeted them, walking on the spot. “The town is grateful, Anna. If anyone can oust Lara Crawford, it’s you.”

“But Agnes …” Anna protested.

“We need someone brave and fearless to fight this battle and that’s you. Impeachment proceedings can begin as soon as you have proof. The people won’t hesitate this time.”

The women nodded at them and walked on.

“What was all that?” Cassie was bewildered. “Agnes, horrible Agnes, is talking to you? And what’s all this about an election?”

Another couple joined the Coastal Walk and beamed at Anna. She smiled back. A bunch of women doing yoga on the grass waved in greeting.

“Why are you suddenly Ms. Popular?” Cassie stopped in the middle of the path and put her hands on her hips.

“The Garden Committee wants to oust Lara Crawford. They are convinced I can prove she stole that money.”

“You’re kidding me.” Cassie laughed uproariously. “The Crawford family has plenty of wealth. How much did we raise for Founder’s Day, anyway? A hundred thousand?”

Anna wasn’t sure but she thought Cassie had a point.

“Hardly. And the amount missing is much smaller.”

Cassie started walking beside Anna.

“I don’t like Lara Crawford, Mom. But this sounds farfetched. That woman wears Dior and Chanel and drives a pricey car. She might be crooked but she won’t stoop to petty thievery.”

Anna agreed with Cassie.

“Honestly, I’m not keen on getting into all this. But the Garden Committee is insistent. Mary says this might be my chance to get into their good books.”

“So they made you a pariah when they felt like it and now they are suddenly singing your praises? How do you know they won’t turn on you again?”

Anna didn’t have an answer for that. She had been thinking the same.

“Tell me about this new diet Bobby put you on.”

Cassie took the hint and started telling Anna about her new regimen.

“The concept is intermittent fasting. I can eat anything I want for eight hours in a day and then I have to fast for the next sixteen hours.”

“How is that going to work?” Anna was curious. “And I don’t think you can eat gallons of ice cream or fried food, can you?”

Cassie sighed.

“That’s right. It has to be reasonably healthy. So I’m thinking …”

They discussed the new diet on their way back home. Meg had made breakfast. Anna took a quick shower and ate her avocado toast while Cassie swam laps in the pool. She needed to wait until 10 AM to have her smoothie.

Cool weather was expected for the latter half of the day. Anna pulled on a cardigan over her sleeveless dress and cycled to the café. She stood under the magnolia tree as per habit and took in the view. Then she entered via the bookstore, like she had been doing for twenty years.

Meg was ringing up some books at the cash register. She had promised to do inventory that day.

Anna stood below the arch, taking in the activity at her café. Sometimes, she couldn’t believe she had realized her lifelong dream. She observed MJ from her vantage spot, admiring how the young woman dealt with the customers with ease. She made up her mind to give MJ a small bonus.

Anna went into the kitchen to check if they had enough of everything. MJ had baked a tray of cupcakes and set them on a wire rack to cool. She knew Anna preferred to frost them herself.

Anna whipped the frosting and added a drop of color and mixed it in. Then she filled a fresh pastry bag and began swirling it over the cupcakes.

Julie poked her head in just as she finished the last one.

“Are you coming?” Julie retreated and came back. “Can we have those please?”

Anna loaded a plate with three cupcakes and added the tiny chocolate chip scones MJ had made that morning. She picked up a plate of crab cakes MJ was experimenting with, eager to try the latest batch.

MJ had already delivered coffee to their table.

“What’s new, sista?” Julie boomed, taking a big bite out of the cupcake. “Mary says you’re finally getting the attention you deserve.”

Anna told them about Agnes.

“Best avoid that sour puss,” Julie advised. “She’s a chameleon, that one.”

Anna mentioned what had really surprised her.

“Looks like the Garden Committee has set their heart on electing a new mayor. When impeachment is mentioned, elections have to follow.”

Mary gave them the inside scoop. The Garden Committee was considering candidates who would run for mayor. They needed someone who was brave enough to oppose Lara Crawford.

“Julie fits the bill perfectly,” Anna declared. “I can be the campaign manager.”

Julie protested she didn’t have the time.

“You’re a bestselling author. You already have a fan base.”

They were so engrossed in teasing Julie that none of them noticed a short, gaunt woman enter the café. Anna’s head whipped around when she heard raised voices.

The woman had a disheveled look about her. Straggly hair hung limply around her shoulders, more gray than copper. She wore a dirty tank top that was a couple sizes too large for her and skimpy shorts that had seen better days.

Anna saw MJ’s lips move. Her words didn’t sit well with the woman. She slammed her hand on the counter, trying to make a point. MJ took her arm and ushered her out of the back door.

“I need to see what’s wrong.”

Anna leapt up and followed the women. She crept through the kitchen and stood inside the back door, trying to listen in. A heated argument was in progress beside the dumpster.

MJ was trying to convince the woman.

“Look, I did what you asked, against my better judgment. We’re even now.”

Suddenly, the woman pushed MJ and walked away. MJ stumbled but found her balance and started walking back to the door. Anna rushed out before she came in.

“What was all that about?” Julie asked immediately.

Anna gave a tiny shrug. She would let MJ settle down before questioning her.

Julie and Mary left soon after. Anna had a lunch date with Gino.

She checked in on Meg and reminded her to take a break. Meg told her she was going to the Tipsy Whale with Cassie.

“Today’s special is that barbecued chicken sandwich Mom likes.”

Gino arrived to pick her up and they drove to the Mystic Hill vineyards, his ancestral property. The housekeeper had made fried chicken for lunch with a green salad. A bottle of wine had been set out to breathe.

Anna buttered a roll while Gino loaded their plates.

“Something unexpected happened at the café today,” she began.

She told him about the bedraggled woman who had picked a fight with MJ.

“Was anyone hurt?” Gino’s eyes filled with worry.

Anna shook her head.

“I think MJ handled it well. That woman looked seedy, Gino. I wonder how MJ knows her.”

Gino was quiet as he chewed a drumstick.

“She’s a hard worker and she has talent. The café’s done brisk business since she got here. Most importantly, I can devote time to something else. I can even sleep an extra hour some time if I want to.”

“What are you trying to say, Anna?” Gino dabbed his mouth with a napkin.

“This can’t be good for the café.” Anna sounded righteous to her own ears. “What if this woman comes back with some thugs next time?” She hesitated a bit before going on. “What do we really know about MJ or her past?”

Gino toyed with the salad on his plate.

“Are you asking me?”

Anna had hired MJ based on Gino’s recommendation. She hadn’t even asked for a resume, knowing Gino wouldn’t steer her wrong.

“Do I need to worry about this?” she asked. “You said you know her from your time in the city.”

She could never have guessed what Gino said next.

“MJ spent some time in prison. Thirteen years, give or take.”

Chapter 10

Cassie swam laps in the pool, trying to ignore the gnawing hunger in her stomach. There was a time when she had been on juice fasts for days. Living in Dolphin Bay had made her a glutton. She found it hard to say no to Anna’s home cooked food. Although wholesome, it was often loaded with calories.

She showered quickly and went into the kitchen to gather all the ingredients for her smoothie. Bobby called.

“You can have breakfast now, sweetie.”

“Just the smoothie, right?” Cassie grumbled.

She switched on the high powered blender and poured the smoothie into a tumbler.

“You can’t eat three big meals in eight hours,” Bobby explained patiently. “You can have a light lunch and an early dinner.”

“And you’re doing this with me, Bobbykins?”

Bobby held up his own smoothie before the screen.

“Every step of the way. Don’t forget to thank me later.”

The smoothie restored Cassie’s mood. A meeting she had with the script writers got cancelled. The day stretched before her.

She tried to remember what Meg was doing. Was she helping out at the café or doing more research at the library? Cassie thought of the girl at the gas station and wondered why she had asked to meet. She decided to drive out and talk to her.

A pleasant day welcomed her outside. The sun was hiding behind a big cloud and the temperatures were in the 80s. It was mild weather for someone used to the scorching heat of Southern California. Cassie drove her Mercedes with the top down, trying not to think of cakes and pies.

She pulled into the gas station’s parking lot, surprised to see half a dozen other cars. Set on a secluded road outside town, she would never have imagined it saw so much traffic.

There was a line of people and the girl Cassie had gone to meet was busy filling Styrofoam containers with food. The savory aroma made Cassie’s mouth water. She could smell the smoky, sweet baked beans and the tang of the vinegar in the potato salad.

The girl spotted her and shrugged. Cassie signaled she would wait outside.

She walked around the gas station to the back, surprised to see some picnic tables scattered around. The lot tapered off into dense woods and Cassie spotted something shimmering in the distance.

A couple came out, clutching boxes of food and nodded at her. They made their way gingerly into the wooded area. Cassie saw them walk some distance and sit at another table she hadn’t noticed before.

Cassie caught up with the Hollywood gossip on her phone, waiting for the girl to join her. Finally, the girl came out, holding a stack of containers.

“Hi. You said we should talk …”

“Sharona. And you’re Cassie Butler. My Aunt Eloise is your big fan.”

Cassie promised to go in and meet her aunt before she left.

“You chose the wrong day to come by. Auntie cooks up a storm twice a week. My uncle built a smoker before he died three years ago.” She nodded at a tall, rustic wooden contraption at the edge of the trees. “People liked the food and spread the word. Nobody cooks pork ribs like my Auntie Eloise.”

“Sounds delicious.” Cassie licked her lips. “Should I come back another day?”

“You’re here now.” Sharona was deadpan. “Dr. Hudson came here for the ribs.”

“So you knew him well?”

Sharona bobbed her head emphatically.

“He was very down to earth for a doctor. Never forgot to stop and compliment Auntie on the food.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “That’s why I was shocked to see him like that.”

“Like what?” Cassie humored her.

“He was bleeding!” Sharona exclaimed. “Had a cut lip and all. I can tell when someone’s been in a fight.”

Cassie’s eyebrows shot up. She didn’t have to prompt Sharona for details. Apparently, Graham Hudson had been driving home when he got into an altercation with a biker. The argument started when Graham confronted the guy. Obviously, it hadn’t ended well for the doctor.

“He cleaned up right here. Auntie gave him a Band-Aid and offered to call the police but he said it wasn’t necessary.”

“Any idea who this man was?”

“If I did, I would have gone to the police long ago. How do we know this biker dude didn’t hold a grudge? All he had to do was keep tabs on the doc and wait for the right opportunity.”

Cassie was amazed.

“I don’t know what to say, Sharona. But I’m going to talk about this with my friend on the police force.”

Sharona told her she had taken a big weight off her chest. She told Cassie the boxes were for her.

“Just a taste of everything,” she said shyly. “Smoked ribs, potato salad, macaroni and cheese and baked beans. You come back for more if you like this.”

Cassie let Sharona take her inside to meet her aunt. She would never have guessed there was a tiny kitchen at the back of the store. Eloise wanted her to autograph her apron. Cassie obliged readily and spent some time with the woman.

She called Meg on her way back.

“Have you had lunch yet?”

Meg agreed to meet her at the gazebo in the town square. Cassie told her what she had learned while they devoured the zesty food.

“These ribs are so good.” Meg scooped up some baked beans and patted her stomach. “We have to go back to this place, Mom.”

Dessert was peach cobbler and it was a test of Cassie’s resolve. Meg helped by gobbling it up quickly.

“I think I should talk to Teddy,” Cassie mused. “The police can use the information as they see fit.”

“Let’s go.” Meg sprang up and began collecting the empty boxes.

“Now? I’m bound to meet him tomorrow morning.”

“We don’t know how significant this is or isn’t, Mom.”

Cassie’s mouth curved into a smile.

“You’re looking for an excuse to go see Leo.”

Meg rolled her eyes.

“Did I mention Leo? He may not even be on duty right now.”

“Hope springs eternal, kid.” Cassie dug an elbow into her in jest.

They walked through the center of town, enjoying the sunshine. Leo was the first person they saw when they reached the police station. Cassie told him everything she had learned from Sharona.

“Doesn’t this biker sound suspicious?”

“We came across new evidence,” Leo told them. “Looks like someone was present at the spot when the doctor shot himself.”

The police had discovered a set of footprints going from the car into the woods. They suspected another car had been parked there.

“So are you finally going to call this a murder?” Cassie quipped.

They stepped out of the police station and split up. Cassie went home to work on her lines. Meg was going surfing with friends.

The day ended quickly. Bobby called to check on her.

“Ribs, cheese, pasta?” he shook his head in disgust. “You’re not that ignorant, sweetie.”

“It’s my first day.” Cassie was abashed. “Cut me some slack, will you?”

Determined to make a better choice for dinner, she walked into the kitchen to see what Anna was up to.

“Halibut poached in tomato broth with a salad,” Anna informed her. “It’s Bobby approved. Meg and I are having the same thing to show our support.”

Cassie thanked her and began setting the table. The kitchen door flew open and Meg rushed in, brimming with excitement.

“I hope you’re hungry because I need to eat right now.”

The kitchen door opened again and Gino came in.

Cassie pulled another plate from the cabinet. “We were just about to eat.”

“Is Leo coming too?” Meg peeped outside.

Gino told them he couldn’t stay for dinner.

“Leo is doing a double shift. It’s been an eventful day and I just wanted to bring you all up to speed.”

Anna pleaded a headache and went to her room.

“What’s wrong with her?” Cassie was perturbed. “Do you mind if I eat while we talk, Gino?”

“Not at all,” Gino assured her.

Cassie put a big portion of salad on a plate and ladled the fish into a bowl. Gino waited until she had taken a few bites.

“Graham Hudson’s daughter is in town,” he began. “Her name is Angela.”

“I was hoping she would turn up,” Cassie admitted. “I know she and Graham were estranged but it’s only right that she should come.”

“How did you find out?” Meg was curious. “Did Dennis Myers call you?”

“Ian Samuels heard about it, don’t ask me how. I guess he really has eyes and ears around the town.”

Cassie ate her food slowly, patiently waiting for the whole story. She guessed Gino was just getting started.

“Angela is contesting the will.”

Cassie wasn’t surprised.

“She must have received a rude shock when she got here.”

Gino gave a deep sigh.

“You don’t know the half of it. Angela claims there is no granddaughter. She is accusing the lawyer of cooking up a scam in collusion with Dennis Myers.”

Chapter 11

Anna walked to the cafe the next morning, accompanied by her daughter. Cassie was in a grumpy mood, counting the minutes until she could eat again.

Anna herself hadn’t slept well the previous night. She had tossed and turned for a while, feeling restless. Then she decided to check her email and see if her inbox contained any interesting discounts or shopping offers. An email from one of John’s students caught her eye. He had sent her a picture of the artifact they had uncovered at Blue Hill, along with the information she had asked for. Anna scrolled to the bottom of the email and smiled when she saw the address enclosed. The lab where the doll was last seen was located in a suburb of San Francisco and Anna decided to visit the next time she went to the city.

“Have you and Gino had a fight?” Cassie grumbled beside her.

“What makes you think that?” Anna answered with a question, hoping to discourage any further dialog.

“That means you are!” Cassie was smug. “That headache came up quite suddenly. Precisely two minutes after Gino stopped by.”

“I’m only human.” Anna looked away. “And I’m not getting any younger.”

Cassie was quiet for a few minutes.

“Gino’s a good man, Mom. He’s always looking out for you.”

“Is he?” Anna muttered under her breath.

Anna was expecting a big shipment of books. They were into August and the back to school rush would start soon. Although it was possible to order books online, there were people who preferred to buy them in person.

The sidewalk outside the store was strewn with pink petals. Anna breathed in their fragrance for a few minutes before going inside. MJ came through the arch with her coffee.

“Cappuccino with extra foam and a dash of cinnamon.”

Anna picked up the coffee and turned her back on the girl.

“What was that?” Cassie cried after MJ hesitated for a moment and went back. “You didn’t even thank her, Mom.”

“I’m paying her to do a job. I can’t thank her every time she does something. I would never get anything done.”

“You were brusque,” Cassie insisted. “I want to know why.”

“I wasn’t brusque. Now are you going to help me sort these books or not?”

They spent the next hour rearranging all the displays in the store. Cassie excused herself and walked into the café, eager to drink the green smoothie MJ had promised to make for her. Anna followed, ready for another cup of coffee.

MJ served them with a smile and started helping a customer. Anna wondered if she was being harsh. Had Gino kept MJ in the dark too? Maybe she thought Anna knew about her past and had hired her inspite of it.

She barely noticed when a police car screeched to a stop outside the café, its sirens blaring. A couple of uniformed deputies came in and asked for MJ. Before Anna could gather her wits together, they had whisked her away.

“What’s happening, Mom?” Cassie grabbed her shoulder. “Why do the police want MJ?”

“She must have done something wrong,” Anna shrugged.

She pulled on an apron and started taking care of the customers. Cassie took the hint and worked the cash register. A couple of hours passed without any updates.

The door burst open and Julie rushed in, her plaid shirt flying behind her like a cape.

“Is it true?” she confronted Anna. “Did they really come for MJ?”

“I think Mom knows something about it,” Cassie said primly. “But she’s not talking.”

Mary had come in after Julie.

“Have you called Gino?” she asked. “He might be able to find out what’s going on.”

Anna snorted at the mention of Gino’s name.

“Trouble in paradise,” Cassie whispered to Julie.

Anna ignored their twittering and made up her mind.

“Let’s go to the police station. One of you come with me.”

Julie offered to go and they set off.

“No questions.” Anna held up a hand when Julie opened her mouth. “We can talk later.”

Leo was chatting with someone at the front desk. He came forward when he saw them enter.

“Angela Hudson is in town. She’s Graham’s estranged daughter.”

Anna told him she had heard as much.

“Lipman filed a complaint against her.”

Anna had thought it was the other way round.

“They are both pointing fingers at each other,” Leo explained. “First Angela accused him of tampering with the will. Now Lipman says she killed Graham.”

Anna’s mouth fell open.

“How is that possible?”

Leo told her that Angela had come to town before Founder’s Day. But she had a solid alibi so she couldn’t have shot the doctor herself.

“We are here for MJ,” Julie interrupted. “What’s her connection to any of this?”

Anna dreaded Leo’s response.

“MJ and Angela met at the diner the day before Founder’s Day. Our theory is that Angela hired MJ to murder her father, thinking she would inherit all his money.”

“But MJ was at the Founder’s Day event with all of us!” Anna protested. “You were there too, Leo.”

“Dr. Hudson was shot after the festival, remember?” Leo sighed. “We are trying to establish MJ’s whereabouts at that time.”

Anna knew what Leo was leaving unsaid. The police could not ignore MJ’s past.

“This could take a while,” Leo consoled. “Why don’t you go have a bite?”

Julie thought it was an excellent idea. She called Cassie and told her to meet them at the Yellow Tulip diner.

The waitress led them to a small table near the kitchen and took their order.

Julie was the only one who ate heartily. Mary sipped a cup of tomato soup, complaining of a sour stomach. Cassie picked at her grilled chicken salad, deciding to forego the dressing. Anna stared at the shoestring fries that had arrived with her cheeseburger.

“Do you think MJ is guilty?” Julie stirred her milkshake with a straw.

“I barely know her,” Anna responded.

“Gino recommended her, didn’t he?” Mary spoke up. “He would never put you in danger, Anna.”

Cassie seconded that, sipping a glass of water.

“He kept her past from us.” Anna couldn’t hold back any longer. “She’s done time in prison.”

There was a stunned silence around the table. Julie wanted to go confront Gino right away.

“I’ll give him a piece of my mind. I thought he had more sense than this.”

Mary defended him.

“I trust his judgment. Did he tell you why he recommended her?”

Anna admitted she had been too furious to hear anything further.

“I felt betrayed,” she confessed. “I didn’t give him a chance to explain.”

“And this is why you were fighting?” Cassie asked. “I would’ve done the same.”

Mary reminded them of MJ’s positive attributes. She was a hard worker and really good at her job. She had never given Anna any reason to complain.

“She’s a gifted baker. Or chef.” Anna muttered reluctantly. “I can’t disagree with that.”

“Has she ever given you cause to find fault, Mom?”

Julie wasn’t looking too happy.

“You think Anna should give her a second chance but I don’t see why.”

Anna told them to give her some time. She needed to think about her next course of action.

They walked back to the café after lunch. Anna started a fresh pot of coffee, wondering what was going on at the police station.

MJ came in, looking exhausted, as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

“They let you go?”Cassie burst out. “Did someone bail you out?”

MJ told them she had just been taken in for questioning.

“If you give me a few minutes, I’ll get my things and leave,” she sighed.

Anna was speechless.

MJ told them she was used to being singled out and persecuted.

“People have good intentions when they hire me but my past catches up with me sooner or later. I fully understand your perspective.”

“Mom’s not like that,” Cassie protested. “She didn’t know you were in prison. Gino never told us.”

“And neither did you.”Anna folded her arms and looked straight into MJ’s eyes. “You should have come clean before you started working here.”

MJ hung her head in shame. She had assumed Anna knew everything because it was convenient.

“I should have been honest with you. I realize that now. But I’ve been burnt many times, Anna. I was pushing off the inevitable, I guess.”

MJ added she was tired of packing up her meager belongings and moving around every few days or weeks. She liked working at the café and wasn’t afraid of hard work.

“Please, will you accept my apology and let me stay?”

Anna gave in. She sensed MJ was being above board and really meant what she said.

“There is one condition,” she warned. “No more secrets.”

MJ nodded eagerly.

“Wait a minute, wait a minute.” Julie took Anna’s arm and pulled her out of earshot. “Aren’t you being hasty? Why are you ready to believe that girl all of a sudden?”

Anna didn’t have an answer but she trusted her instincts.

“We’ll see how it goes for a couple of weeks,” she told MJ. “I won’t promise anything until then.”

“Tell me one thing, MJ,” Cassie butted in. “Did you really go to prison for murder?”

Chapter 12

Anna pounded her fists in the dough, trying to clear her mind of conflicting thoughts. She was making ravioli for dinner. A pot of tomato sauce bubbled on the stove and the dough would be ready to roll out soon.

Making fresh pasta was how she let off steam. She had maintained a calm façade before MJ but she was seething inside. The girl had taken advantage of her generosity. Anna felt like a fool.

She wasn’t sure who she was mad at more, Gino or MJ. The girl had been a stranger to her but Gino? She trusted him with her life. She had even dared to dream of a future with him.

Cassie came in with a handful of basil from the garden.

“Should I chop these, Mom?”

“Just tear them up a bit and add them to the sauce.”

Cassie added the basil, stirred the sauce and tasted it.

“Perfect!” she announced. “Need any more help?”

Anna waved her off, not in the mood for conversation. Cassie went out and Anna could hear her talking to Meg in the living room.

An hour later, they sat in the dining room, ready to eat.

Meg cut into the ravioli and pronounced it perfect.

“This is so yum, Grandma. I didn’t know how ravioli was made until I saw you making it.”

Cassie filled her plate with salad and took a small portion of the ravioli.

“Have you called Gino, Mom?”

Anna chose not to answer.

“I’m with you on this one. He should have told you about MJ. Can you let it go?”

Anna had been wondering the same. Meg had spent a lot of time with MJ. She even looked up to her. MJ could easily influence her impressionable granddaughter.

“I’m not going to join a life of crime, Grandma.” Meg clasped her hand. “I can hear those wheels turning in your mind. You are thinking too much.”

“I have the right to be angry.”

“Of course, you do.” Cassie glanced at Meg. “I think you and Gino should talk face to face.”

Anna didn’t respond, and Cassie took the hint.

“Have you talked to Leo again?” Cassie asked Meg. “Why did they think the footprints belonged to MJ?”

“They didn’t,” Meg told her. “Leo just said they belonged to a woman.”

“Can they be certain?” Anna spoke up. “I don’t know if it is right to generalize. A woman can have a big shoe size or a man can have tiny feet.”

“But women’s shoes have many different designs,” Cassie pointed out. “Like platforms, stilettos, kitten heels …”

“I get it,” Anna sighed. “So the police are finally treating this as murder.”

“Yes, they are.” Cassie toyed with her fork. “And looks like they are taking the easy way out as usual. You need to get involved now, Mom. At least for MJ.”

Anna noticed Meg had flinched when Cassie mentioned MJ. She asked her what she was thinking.

“MJ did get into the car with Graham Hudson. We all saw them.”

“He was just going to drop her off at home,” Anna reminded her. “Are you saying that didn’t happen?”

Meg’s response surprised her.

“What if MJ asked him to give her a ride somewhere else?”

Anna didn’t have a definite answer.

“The only person who can tell us about that is MJ and we don’t know if she will tell the truth. Is that what you want to say, Meg?”

Meg nodded.

“Unless the police match the footprints and declare they don’t belong to MJ.”

“But why would MJ hurt Graham? What could she possibly have against him?” Cassie cried.

Anna was quiet, reluctant to voice her thoughts.

“Are you saying she’s a contract killer?” Cassie was aghast. “That’s a bit farfetched, Mom.”

“Normally I would agree,” Anna replied. “But it’s not a stretch considering MJ’s past. She has been in prison, Cassie.”

“That’s it, Mom. You need to talk to Gino and get some details about MJ. If you don’t do it, we will.”

“I think that’s a good idea, Mom,” Meg piped up.

Anna had been thinking about MJ’s motive.

“Let’s assume MJ didn’t do this for money, girls. What’s her motive? Graham was a stranger to her.” She thought back to the day of the festival. “Wait a minute, I think she did know Graham. She called him Doc, like she had met him before.”

“We’ll have to ask her then,” Cassie shrugged.

Meg started clearing the table and Cassie helped her load the dishwasher.

Anna called Julie and asked if she had eaten.

“There’s a plate of ravioli all wrapped up and waiting for you.”

Julie was engrossed in writing and promised to come by later.

Anna pulled out a pan of tiramisu from the refrigerator and served it on two plates.

“No dessert for you, Cass. Bobby made me promise.”

Cassie assured her she was fine with it.

“Picture yourself in that superhero costume, Mom.” Meg laughed. “You need to be lean and mean and that means no sugar until your screen test.”

They went out and settled in their usual spots in the living room.

“Who else could have a motive?” Anna thought out loud. “What do you think of that nephew?”

“He gets a generous allowance,” Cassie pointed out. “He virtually controls everything, even if he doesn’t inherit.”

“Dennis Myers is very friendly,” Meg protested. “I can’t imagine him doing anything shady.”

“Looks are often deceptive,” Anna told her. “Something you will realize as you get older.”

“We have to find out where Dennis was that night,” Cassie nodded.

“What about that biker, Mom?” Meg asked. “How do we know he wasn’t lying in wait for Graham?”

Anna didn’t contradict her right away. But she thought it sounded farfetched. Had a simple argument escalated to murder?

The doorbell chimed and Anna’s heart sped up. Had Gino come to meet her? Part of her wanted to make up with him at the earliest. The other half wanted to make him grovel. Did he have any idea how much he had hurt her? Anna wondered if all men were the same, all said and done. Her husband of thirty four years had kept secrets from her. And now Gino had done the same.

Julie came in, followed by Meg.

“I’m exhausted! Where’s that ravioli you promised?”

Meg went in and warmed up the food and Cassie poured some wine for Julie and Anna.

“You have outdone yourself, my dear.” Julie was full of praise as she ate a forkful of ravioli. “Perfectly cooked and bursting with tons of flavor.”

Anna rolled her eyes.

“What do you want, Julie? We saved you some tiramisu.”

Julie talked about the latest book she was working on.

“My heroine is in a quandary. She caught the hero out in a lie and now she’s not sure if she should forgive him.”

“Does she love him?” Cassie asked.

“She does,” Julie nodded emphatically, looking at Anna. “Although she hasn’t admitted it yet. Not even to herself. But she has dreamt of a future with him.”

“She should set her ego aside,” Meg cried. “Love should conquer all, Julie. Isn’t that what people expect in a romance?”

“That’s enough!” Anna reddened. “If you have to say something, just spit it out.”

“We’re just discussing my book.” Julie was poker faced. “I’m kind of stuck and I need to choose a direction.”

Anna knew Julie was being subtle because of the girls. She had never shrunk back from voicing her opinion, however harsh or unpopular it might have been.

“What’s up with the Garden Committee?” Cassie asked her. “Did you make a decision yet?”

Anna had thought long and hard and finally given in.

“I may not care about all those other women but I can’t say no to Mary.”

“So you’re going to figure out who stole the money?” Julie grimaced. “It’s bound to be someone we know.”

“That won’t be easy, Mom.”

Anna reminded them that the Garden Committee suspected Lara Crawford.

“I’m trying to set up a meeting with her.”

Anna had called the mayor’s office a few times but Lara had not been available. She had finally barged into the office, hoping to ambush Lara in her own lair. But she had walked into an empty office.

“The secretary told me she’s out of town but she won’t say where.”

“Have you asked around?” Julie frowned. “Someone in town is bound to know.”

“Mary’s on the job. I might ask a few people myself.”

Julie brought up MJ.

“I know you agreed to give her a second chance, Anna. But it doesn’t hurt to be careful.” She patted Meg and looked at Cassie. “You too, girls. Use your common sense and trust your instincts.”

Anna seconded what Julie said.

“MJ is a suspect until we catch the real killer.”

Chapter 13

Anna didn’t want to get out of bed the next morning. Cloudy skies greeted her through her bedroom window and the sun was nowhere in sight. The weather forecast predicted a light drizzle through the day. Cassie knocked on her door and came in, dressed in her fitness gear.

“Let’s go, Mom. We’re already late.”

The Coastal Walk was a pretty sight and sailboats skimmed the water in the Bay. Anna coaxed herself to pick up her pace and work up a sweat. Cassie ran ahead and doubled back, slowing down to a walk.

“Teddy’s not here,” she reported. “I was hoping to pick his brain a bit.”

Anna told her she was planning her day.

“I’ve never talked to Graham’s nephew. Why don’t I go see him today?”

“You’re not going alone.”

“I’d rather have you stick around with Meg.” Anna felt it was better to play it safe around MJ. “Honestly, I don’t think MJ will do anything to hurt her. At least, not physically. But Meg’s impressionable.”

“You think MJ will talk Meg into following a life of crime?” Cassie was skeptical. “Get real, Mom.”

They argued over it until they reached home.

Meg was in the kitchen, making breakfast. Anna showered quickly and dressed for the day, choosing a yellow tunic to counter her grumpy mood.

She cut into the French toast Meg had made for them, drizzled with honey, sprinkled with powdered sugar and loaded with fresh berries.

“Delicious!” she pronounced, surprised at the mascarpone cream Meg had stuffed inside.

“I’m going to continue with the inventory today, Grandma.” Meg packed a container of fruit and two boiled eggs for Cassie to eat later. “Unless you need me somewhere else.”

“That sounds perfect.” Anna was relieved Meg would be in the bookstore, out of MJ’s sight.

“Aren’t you going to warn her, Mom?” Cassie came into the kitchen and poured herself some fruit infused water. It helped her fast until midmorning.

Meg’s brow furrowed and her eyes darted between the two of them.

“What’s going on?”

“We just want you to be safe,” Anna replied hesitantly.

Meg didn’t flare up as expected.

“There will be plenty of people around me at the bookstore, Grandma. But I’ll be careful, don’t worry.”

Cassie wondered if they should call Dennis Myers and ask for an appointment. Anna preferred the element of surprise.

“Let’s not give him the option to refuse.”

They set off in Cassie’s car. Anna had called ahead and asked MJ to pack some scones to take with them. Meg jumped out when they reached the café. Anna followed her in and took the box MJ handed over.

“Will you be okay?” she couldn’t help herself. “Mary’s coming over, in case you need any help.”

MJ thanked her but didn’t say much.

The humidity had soared as the day progressed but a light breeze made it bearable. Cassie drove to the Hudson house, pointing out the gas station where she had met the girl Sharona.

Mrs. Jones answered the door, her face set in its usual frown. Dennis Myers hovered behind her, dressed for golf.

Anna introduced herself and thrust the box of cookies toward him.

“What a pleasant surprise!” Dennis smiled widely, flashing his dimples.

“Can we please come in?” Anna coughed gently. “This is about Graham.”

Dennis gave a tiny shrug and dismissed the housekeeper. He led them to the living room.

“I was just stepping out.” He turned on the charm. “How did you know my uncle? I don’t think he mentioned you before.”

Anna told him Graham had been a regular at her café.

“He was partial to my cupcakes. Ordered half a dozen twice every week.”

“Oh, you’re the cupcake lady!” Dennis slapped his knee. “Uncle had a sweet tooth. He told his patients to lay off the sugar but he could never follow his own advice.”

Mrs. Jones entered with a tray of lemonade.

“Uncle Graham made a big donation for Founder’s Day.” Dennis picked up a cookie from a small plate. “I’m afraid we’re tapped out for the rest of the year.”

Anna explained she wasn’t there to ask for money.

“The police suspect my employee but I think she’s innocent.”

Dennis listened to their story and agreed to answer Anna’s questions.

“I just want to see my uncle’s killer apprehended.”

Cassie had been quietly observing Dennis. She forged ahead before Anna could say anything.

“Remember the last time we talked? You were quite sure Graham committed suicide. What made you change your story?”

“The police told us you suspect Graham’s daughter,” Anna prompted. “Angela, right? You think your cousin is capable of taking a life?”

Dennis told her he barely knew Angela.

“She may be my cousin but the truth is, I don’t remember anything about her. I was a toddler when she left home. Uncle never mentioned her.”

“Yet you believe she could hurt Graham.”

“Angela’s a junkie. Like any drug addict, she’ll do anything to get her next fix.”

Anna was trying to connect the dots. The police had been pretty sure Graham had shot himself. What had made them suspect MJ?

“I thought the police believed this was a suicide.”

Dennis shook his head.

“So you don’t know? Uncle was shot on the left temple. But he’s right handed.”

“So his wound could not have been self inflicted?” Anna asked.

“That’s what the police said.” Dennis shrugged. “I’m not an expert at all this. I believe the cops know more than I do.”

Anna and Cassie looked at each other. They had discussed this before.

“We wondered why Graham stopped in the middle of the road at night. My guess was he saw someone he knew.”

Dennis leaned back and put his arms around the couch.

“The police think the same. My uncle lowered his window to talk to this person and signed his death warrant.”

Anna thought about how the scene of crime had been staged.

“Wouldn’t your cousin have known Graham was right handed?”

Dennis twisted his mouth in a grimace.

“Maybe Angela got into an argument with her father. She lost her temper and shot him in a fit of anger.”

Anna thought that was highly speculative.

“Or maybe your MJ shot him,” Dennis shrugged. “I would love to sit here and float any number of theories, Mrs. Butler. But I don’t have all day.”

Anna took the hint.

“One last question, please. When did you expect Graham to come home that night? Weren’t you worried about him?”

Dennis stood up and folded his arms. Anna stayed put in her chair, refusing to be intimidated.

“I didn’t keep tabs on him, Mrs. Butler. He was a doctor and fully capable of taking care of himself.”

“What about any other relatives?” Cassie stood up and offered Anna a hand.

Dennis glanced at his watch and excused himself.

“I’m sorry but I have to go.”

He walked out and disappeared into the bowels of the house. The sour faced housekeeper stood outside, waiting for them. Anna wondered if she had heard their entire conversation.

The woman grunted and pointed toward the front door. Anna followed Cassie, looking around at the artwork on the walls, surprised to see no personal pictures.

“Didn’t Graham have any family photos?” she asked Mrs. Jones.

The housekeeper muttered under her breath.

“None that I have seen. The doctor’s wife died a few years ago and he never got over it.”

“So where’s a picture of his wife?” Anna pressed.

“It was too painful, Mr. Dennis says. The doctor ordered him to pack up anything that reminded him of her.”

“What happened to her?” Cassie stopped and turned around. “She must have been in her sixties too.”

“Not from what I heard.” The housekeeper leaned forward and lowered her voice. “This was his second wife, barely in her twenties. He took it hard.”

Anna was dumbstruck. She had never known Graham Hudson had a trophy wife.

“Why don’t you come to my café sometime?” she urged the woman. “Scones and coffee are on me. Or anything you like, really.”

“I wouldn’t mind those cherry cupcakes everyone’s talking about,” Mrs. Jones replied. A hint of a smile appeared on her face and her expression softened. “Mr. Dennis went for a run that night. It was well after ten when he got back.”

Anna tried to hide her excitement. She thanked the housekeeper and got into the car, forcing herself to be quiet until they cleared the gates.

“Did you hear that, Cassie? Dennis Myers lied to us.”

“So he went for a run.” Cassie wasn’t impressed. “I don’t think he purposely kept that from us. My guess is he forgot about it.”

“Regardless,” Anna argued. “The fact is he doesn’t have an alibi for that night.”

“So you’re saying Dennis Myers is also a suspect?”

Chapter 14

Anna and Cassie walked to the Tipsy Whale, the local pub. It had the best gourmet sandwiches on the coast. Murphy, the owner, was forever coming up with interesting combinations that kept the tourists flocking. Featured on national television, the Tipsy Whale had become a popular pit stop for vacationers who were driving along the California coast.

Julie and Mary were waiting for them in a booth near the window.

“We ordered the special,” Julie told them. “All Murph will tell us is it has cherries.”

A waitress came by with iced tea. There were muddled berries in it, with fresh sprigs of mint.

Anna told them what they had learned.

“Did you know Graham was a recent widower?” she asked her friends.

Mary had heard about it through the grapevine.

“His first wife died many years ago, when his daughter was ten. He devoted himself to work after that. He must have married again.”

Murphy brought over their food himself. He asked for Anna’s honest opinion.

“Grilled chicken, smoked gouda, cherry and onion jam, avocado and arugula,” he beamed. “On a toasted ciabatta bun.”

The sandwich was served with Murphy’s seasoned onion rings and spicy ketchup.

Anna took a hefty bite and smiled at the explosion of flavors in her mouth. She gave Murphy a thumbs up.

“You’ve produced a winner again, Murph!”

“Dessert’s on me,” Murphy nodded. “Peach cobbler a la mode.”

“I shouldn’t have come here,” Cassie groaned.

She told the waitress to pack a sandwich and onion rings and ordered a simple salad with grilled chicken.

“I can add the cherry jam on top,” the waitress offered and Cassie agreed readily.

They didn’t linger much over lunch. Julie needed to get back to her writing and Mary had to go shopping for groceries. Cassie had a rehearsal with her fellow actors.

Anna went back to the store, trying to think about what she wanted to ask MJ. Meg was pacing the sidewalk, waiting for her.

“Did you bring my lunch, Grandma? I’m starving!”

Anna switched the café sign to Closed so she could have a private conversation with MJ. Meg generously offered half her sandwich to MJ and they both tucked in.

“I want you to think carefully about that night,” Anna told her. “The timeline is very important.”

Gino had left the festival a few minutes after ten. He had come across Graham Hudson just a few minutes shy of 10:30. The doctor was dead at that time.

MJ dabbed her mouth with a napkin and spoke carefully.

“We left at nine, the doc and I. That big tower clock had just started ringing.”

Anna remembered that. She nodded at MJ to continue.

“The distances aren’t too great here, not like in the city.” MJ dipped an onion ring in the hot ketchup. “He dropped me off ten minutes later.”

“Let’s say you got home at 9:15,” Anna mused. “Did Graham go home after that?”

MJ answered she had no way to know.

“He did mention he was tired and was going straight home.”

“And what about you?” Anna narrowed her eyes. “Did you go anywhere?”

“I went up to my apartment over the garage and called it a night.”

She didn’t have anyone to vouch for her since she lived alone.

Meg and MJ had worked through the sandwich. MJ stood up to go back to the kitchen.

“Why don’t you go home?” Anna suggested. “Get some rest.”

MJ thanked her and promised she would leave as soon as she finished prepping for the next day.

“Are you going to hire someone else?” she asked Anna. “I have to pay my rent …”

Anna guessed that MJ probably lived from paycheck to paycheck and had to count her pennies.

“I meant what I said, dear.” She referred to their conversation from the previous day. “As long as you didn’t hurt Graham, you don’t have to worry.”

MJ stressed she was innocent.

“You’re guilty of lying by omission,” Anna sighed. “You hid your past from us. We need to talk about it, once we get you out of this mess.”

MJ promised to answer all her questions.

“Just say when.”

Anna and Meg went back to the bookstore and worked on the inventory for some time. They called it a day after a couple of hours.

The weather had cooled a bit since noon, thanks to a couple of showers. The sun was peeping out of the clouds, eager for a brief appearance before hugging the horizon.

“Do you really believe MJ, Grandma?” Meg asked on their way back home.

Anna admired a climbing rose in someone’s garden.

“I trust she wants a fresh start.” Anna bent down to caress a bunch of blue hydrangeas along their path. “I’m willing to give her a second chance. I just hope I don’t regret it later.”

“Do you have any theories about that night?”

Anna believed the timeline was going to be crucial. If MJ was being honest, Graham Hudson had left her at 9:15. Gino had come across him at 10:30.

“Graham’s home is a twenty minute drive from MJ’s. And the spot where he was found was right at the center.”

They agreed that Graham had lost his life sometime between 9:15 and 10:30.

“The medical examiner might be able to narrow it further but let’s go with this for now.”

“Didn’t you say Dennis Myers went out for a run that night?” Meg asked. “Do you think he could have run to that spot and back home in the given timeframe?”

Anna thought it would be a piece of cake for someone as young and fit as Dennis Myers.

“What do you think about Angela Hudson hiring MJ to do the dirty deed? Where would she get the money?”

“She might have promised to pay MJ after she came into money.”

“But Angela is not Graham’s heir,” Meg argued. “She gets nothing.”

“She didn’t know that,” Anna pointed out. “The promise of a payday would be good enough for someone with MJ’s past.”

“But MJ doesn’t have a car, remember? How do you think she went after Graham?”

They had been so engrossed in talking, they barely realized when they reached home. Cassie was lounging by the pool, flipping through some fashion magazines. She had just finished a two hour call with her fellow cast members.

“I’m done for the day!” she announced. “What took you so long?”

Meg brought her up to speed.

“You know why Angela believed she would get everything?” she asked Anna. “She doesn’t have a child, that’s why.”

“She may not remember,” Anna said softly. “Although she must remember giving birth to a child.”

She stole a glance at Meg, worried about her reaction. This topic had the potential of being painful for her.

“If Angela had a child, there must be a record of it somewhere,” Meg pointed out. “We need to check the facts. Maybe Ian Samuels can help us through his contacts.”

Cassie placed her arms around her head and gazed up at the sky.

“I can think of another person who can do that.”

Anna didn’t take the bait.

“Are you talking about Gino?” Meg asked her. “Good idea, Mom. We can ask him about it over dinner.”

“What dinner?” Anna burst out. “That man better think twice before he shows up here.”

“Today’s Wednesday, Mom,” Cassie reminded her. “Have you forgotten that Gino and Leo have dinner with us every Wednesday?”

Apparently she had.

“The refrigerator is empty, girls. Dylan was going to bring over a box of vegetables and some cheese but he’s not coming today.”

“Typical,” Cassie frowned. “You just can’t rely on that man.”

“I told him to come tomorrow because I wasn’t going to be home.” Anna rolled her eyes. “He shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of your temper every time he comes here.”

“You’re taking his side again,” Cassie grumbled. “Why don’t we buy vegetables from Paradise Market?”

Anna ignored her.

“Even if you girls go shopping now, there’s barely enough time to cook an elaborate meal. We’ll just order some Chinese food.”

“Leo loves the beef and broccoli,” Meg supplied. “And the shrimp fried rice.”

“That’s good,” Anna smiled. “Why don’t you place an order around six?”

“But what about Gino?” Cassie cried. “He had Chinese food for lunch today.”

Anna ignored her daughter and sat at the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in the water. Something had been nagging her all the way home.

“Where was Angela that night? Didn’t the police say she was in town before the Founder’s Day festival?”

Meg told them what Leo had said.

“Angela has an iron clad alibi.”

Chapter 15

Cassie placed an order at the China Garden restaurant. She knew Gino would just laugh at the coincidence and enjoy whatever was on the table. He was tough but gentle and she was sure he cared a lot for her mother.

Meg had gone to take a shower. She called out from the bathroom and reminded Cassie to order the Crab Rangoon. They were Leo’s favorites.

“Did you ask for the spring rolls?” she came out, dressed in denim shorts and a frilly top that stopped at her midriff. “Not the egg rolls, the tiny, crunchy ones that come with the sweet sauce.”

Cassie assured her she had ordered most of the menu.

“We have enough to feed an army, kid.”

She gave Meg a once over.

“Is that a new top? You look cute.”

“I don’t want to look cute,” Meg cried. “Little girls look cute.”

“So you are dressing up for Leo?” Cassie quirked an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong with looking good?” Meg demanded. “You do it all the time. Like, all the time. Do I say you are dressing up for Dylan?”

Cassie frowned.

“The D word is prohibited around here,” Anna laughed. “Didn’t you know that?”

The doorbell chimed before Cassie could respond.

Meg flew to the door and swung it open. Leo stood outside, hopping from one foot to another, clutching a bouquet of colorful flowers.

“Are those for me?” Meg took them from him. “Thank you so much!”

Cassie urged him to come in and craned her neck toward the driveway.

“Is Gino coming later?”

Leo’s ears turned red.

“Uncle Gino had a business meeting. He sends his regrets.”

Cassie didn’t hide her disappointment. This wasn’t good. Was Gino staying away on purpose? She needed to talk to him herself.

The doorbell chimed again and their food arrived. Cassie took the large bags into the kitchen and began unwrapping everything. Soon the boxes covered the kitchen counter.

“Why don’t we serve ourselves from here?” she asked Anna. “Like a buffet. We can just pack up any containers that are left over.”

Meg nudged Leo toward the Crab Rangoon. Cassie saw his face split in a smile. The youngsters decided to do a round of appetizers first.

Cassie was feeling hungry herself. She took smaller portions than usual and decided to go light on the carbs.

“We were talking about Angela Hudson earlier.” She hoped Leo wouldn’t mind dishing up some information. “Any idea what her strong alibi is?”

Leo told them he had seen a man come in right after the police had interviewed Angela. The man had left after an interview with the detectives and Angela had followed him some time later.

“I’m just guessing here but I’m pretty sure that’s the man.”

Cassie asked if he was a local.

“Oh no!” Leo had never seen him before. “Based on his appearance – tall and hefty, leather jacket, waist long hair in a pony tail – I would wager he’s a biker.”

“No way!” Meg cried.

Cassie told Leo about Graham’s fight with a biker.

“Do you think this is the same guy?”

“It could be a coincidence,” Leo frowned. “But I agree it needs looking into.”

“So if this is the same person who punched Graham, Angela’s alibi becomes shaky,” Anna summed up.

The kids went in to get more food and came back with their plates loaded.

The doorbell chimed again. Cassie saw Anna sit up straighter and hid a smile. No matter what her mother said, a part of her was eager to meet Gino.

Julie arrived, looking flustered.

“I have half an hour for dinner. Then I’m going back to work.”

Cassie fixed her a plate and Julie regaled them with the plot of her latest book. Gino didn’t come and after two rounds of ice cream had been eaten, Leo and Julie both stood up to leave.

Anna retired to her room, pleading exhaustion. Meg wanted to call her friend from the Midwest and Cassie planned to call Bobby. They both bid each other good night.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny with not a trace of clouds. Cassie ran an extra loop on the Coastal Walk, trying to work off her dinner. Anna had wanted to sleep in. Cassie hoped she wasn’t pining after Gino. If things didn’t improve, she and Meg would have to tackle him on their own.

Cassie packed a smoothie for herself and got ready while Anna and Meg ate avocado toast and poached eggs for breakfast. Meg did the breakfast dishes and walked out to the car.

“Let’s go, Mom.” She jumped in.

They were going to see Angela. Meg directed Cassie to a rundown building at the edge of town.

“I thought this place was deserted.” Cassie looked around for any signs of life.

Meg pointed at some clothes drying in a window.

“This is the address MJ gave me. It’s worth checking out, Mom.”

Cassie followed Meg up three flights of stairs down a dank corridor that made them cover their noses. Meg pounded on a door marked number 13. There was no response and they were about to go back when the door opened a crack and a pair of striking green eyes peered out.

“Whaddaya want?”

“Are you Angela Hudson?” Cassie asked. “MJ sent us.”

The woman let out a string of expletives.

“We are trying to figure out who shot your father,” Cassie told her firmly. “And we need your help.”

“Surely you want to know what happened?” Meg burst out.

Another stream of foul language followed, making them flinch.

“What about MJ? The police suspect her because you were seen together. She never did anything to you.”

“That’s what you think,” Angela muttered, scratching her limp gray hair.

Cassie found it hard to believe the woman was in her early forties. Her cheekbones stuck out and there wasn’t an ounce of flesh on her body. Two front teeth were black with decay and a scorpion was tattooed on one side of her face.

“How do you know MJ?” Cassie asked. “She doesn’t do drugs.”

“We go way back, okay?” Angela growled. “She was just a kid and I helped her out.”

“Did you meet in prison?” Meg’s eyes were bright. “Were you like an older sister?”

“You live in a different world, don’t you?” Angela cackled. “The only language I speak is give and take.” She snapped at them, her face settling into a sudden scowl. “Now git. Just get out.”

Meg sprang back, her eyes filling with fear.

Cassie gently nudged Meg to stand behind her. She turned around and confronted Angela.

“MJ has us now. You better leave her alone.”

Angela began to slam the door in her face but Cassie stuck her foot in, just in time. She howled in pain when the door hit her, making Angela sneer.

“Rot in hell!”

“The police suspect you too,” Cassie warned. “Tell us about that biker guy, Angela. What were you doing with him?”

Angela had given up trying to slam the door.

“I don’t know any biker,” she muttered. “Are you on crack?”

Cassie told her a witness had seen her with a biker on the day Graham died.

“Is it the same guy who punched your father?” Meg piped up. “Gave him a bloody nose? Did you put him up to it?”

Angela’s eyes were drooping. She sunk to the floor and turned on her side, pulling her knees up to her chest. Cassie wondered if she had fainted.

“I need a hit,” she groaned. “How ‘bout slippin’ me a twenty?”

Cassie wasn’t about to give money to a drug addict.

“Tell us about the biker, Angela.”

“Don’t remember any biker. Oh wait … I think I hitched a ride from a couple of ‘em. I think …”

Her eyes closed and a soft snore erupted two minutes later.

“That’s all we’ll get from her,” Cassie muttered in disgust. “Let’s go, kid.”

Cassie warned Meg against trying to meet Angela on her own. She pointed at the broken windows and the graffiti on the side of the building.

“This is not a safe place, Meg. Promise me you won’t go back to see her.”

Meg nodded half heartedly. Cassie insisted she promise.

“Okay, okay, cross my heart and hope to die. Is that good enough, Mom?”

They drove back to town, Cassie finally sipping her smoothie. They had one more stop to make before they went back to the café. She turned into a leafy lane and drove toward the end to a cul-de-sac. A brick front colonial with white siding sat on a spacious lot several feet away from the street.

“This must be it, Mom.” Meg pointed to a detached garage with a set of metal steps going up to the top.

An older woman came out of the house and waved at them. Cassie introduced herself and Meg.

“Do you have time for a few questions?”

“MJ said you might come by,” the woman nodded. “I just pulled out a fresh batch of cookies from the oven. Why don’t you come in?”

“We don’t want to impose.”

“They are chocolate chip.” The woman’s eyes twinkled.

Meg was the first to give in.

“We can spare a few minutes, can’t we, Mom?”

The woman brought out a pitcher of lemonade with lemon slices floating in it. There was a plate piled high with thick chocolate chip cookies.

Meg thanked her and picked one up.

“MJ’s a great help around here,” the woman told them. “She’s helping me paint the house. We did the basement and we are doing the bedrooms next week.”

Cassie wasn’t surprised. They knew MJ was a hard worker and was always ready to pitch in and help. Her prison record was another story.

“Do you remember the night of the Founder’s Day festival?”

The woman’s eyes grew moist. It had been her husband’s favorite local event. She had stopped going since he passed two years ago.

“Life goes on, dear, but some things are just not the same. I can’t fathom going to that festival without my Tim.”

“Do you remember when MJ came home?”

“Sure thing. Must have been a few minutes past nine. I was right here in the living room, watching television. She knocked on the door to check on me.”

Cassie was relieved her account matched the timeline MJ had given them.

“Did she go out after that?”

The woman had turned in shortly after talking to MJ.

“I don’t know. But where would she go? She doesn’t have a car and she stays in most nights.”

Cassie thanked her and they said goodbye, promising to stop by whenever they had a hankering for warm chocolate chip cookies.

“They were chocolate chunk cookies,” Meg sighed with pleasure as Cassie backed out. “What are you thinking, Mom?”

“Did you notice some of her responses were kind of generic?”

Meg caught on quickly.

“You think she’s hard of hearing?”

Cassie nodded. “If MJ stepped out later that night, chances are the landlady wouldn’t hear her.”

Chapter 16

Cassie asked Meg about her surfing lessons on their way back to town.

“When can we come watch you?”

Meg insisted she still needed practice.

“What’s going on with Gino and Grandma?” she asked. “You do think they will make up?”

Cassie wasn’t sure. She admitted she was worried.

“Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship, kid. Mom feels Gino betrayed her and that’s not good.”

“He really cares for her,” Meg stressed. “And us too. Why would he keep MJ’s past a secret?”

Cassie believed he must have had a good reason. She was sure Gino would explain himself if given a chance.

“We need to bring them face to face.”

“Are you sure about that?” Meg frowned. “Maybe it’s too soon.”

Cassie thought about the person who was the cause of the rift.

“We never asked MJ how she knows Gino. You think she’ll tell us?”

Meg confessed she had been wondering the same. But she couldn’t work up the courage to confront MJ.

“I’m not afraid of her,” she told Cassie. “MJ will answer any questions. I’m not sure if I can handle the truth, Mom.”

Cassie parked the car on the edge of Main Street and they got out. She spotted Anna and the Firecrackers sitting on a bench on the Coastal Walk, holding brown paper bags. The ladies waved and Meg blew them a kiss.”

“What do you want for lunch?” Cassie asked Meg.

They both wanted to go to the diner. The Yellow Tulip was packed and the waitress offered to serve them at the bar.

“We’ll wait,” Meg told her. “Can we have some iced tea until then please?”

They sat at the bar, listening in on snatches of conversation. Half the people were talking about Graham Hudson while the other half discussed the missing money.

Anna’s neighbor Agnes held court over some ladies from the Garden Committee. She was telling them how she had discovered the discrepancy herself. One woman wanted to know how long the pilfering had been going on. Agnes turned ashen when someone suggested they had missed discovering the shortfall for years.

A group of women gossiped about MJ and where she had come from. In a town where most people had known each other for generations, MJ stuck out like a sore thumb. One woman pointed at a box of cupcakes from Anna’s café and wondered if they were poisoned. That set them off.

Meg had jumped down from her stool, ready to go confront the women when the waitress came back. She ushered them to a small table for two and took their orders. Cassie asked for grilled salmon with salad and Meg chose the beer battered fish and chips.

“Don’t people know better?” Meg fumed. “How can they just sit and point fingers at someone they don’t know.”

“You can’t control what people say, Meg. They have a right to voice their fears and opinions.”

Half the diner had emptied by the time their food arrived. Cassie split her fish in two portions and offered half of it to Meg.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I can’t eat all this and eat dinner at 6:30. Bobby warned me to eat small meals.”

Meg speared the salmon with a fork and put it on her plate.

“More for me!”

They ate quietly for a few minutes.

“Have you heard from Drake?” Cassie asked Meg. “When is he getting back?”

“He’s going to be busy so we decided we won’t text or call each other over summer.”

“Are you on a break?” Cassie tried to stop smiling.

“We were never exclusive, Mom. And you don’t have to look so happy.”

Cassie turned away, bursting into full blown laughter. She spotted a familiar face two tables away.

“Don’t look now,” she whispered urgently. “Dennis Myers is seated right there.”

Meg looked up sharply and howled when Cassie kicked her under the table.

“I said don’t look.”

“It’s a free country, Mom,” Meg groaned. “I can look anywhere.”

“He’s with a woman.”

Meg dipped a piece of fish in tartar sauce and nodded. She could see Dennis wasn’t alone.

“Brown haired, petite, stylish … haven’t seen her around here. Let’s go talk to him, Mom.”

Cassie suggested they finish eating first. She drank a cup of black coffee while Meg ate a slice of blueberry pie. They paid up and started walking toward the door.

She made a big show of spotting Dennis and acting surprised. Meg was suitably wide eyed.

“What are you doing here?” Cassie cried exuberantly. “I’ve never seen you at the diner before.”

Dennis didn’t look happy. He told them he was just getting lunch.

Cassie smiled at the young woman sitting before him. “Who’s your friend? She’s so beautiful.” She stared into the woman’s eyes, making her squirm. “Have you tried modeling, honey?”

Dennis began to turn red.

“Meet Jessie. Err, Jessie Taylor. She’s my girlfriend.”

“How cute!” Cassie’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you from around here, sweetie?”

The girl shook her head and opened her mouth to answer. Dennis cut her off.

“Jessie’s from the city. From way up north, actually, near the Washington border. She’s moving here to be with me.”

“That’s fantastic!” Cassie beamed. “Oh, to be young and in love!”

Meg interrupted them, tapping Cassie on the arm.

“Ask him about the biker, Mom.”

Dennis had pushed his plate away and was looking resigned.

Cassie asked him about Graham’s fight with the biker.

“It was a bit shocking, to tell you the truth,” Dennis sighed. “My uncle never lost his temper. He had to keep a cool head, you know. His profession demanded it.”

“Obviously, that biker assaulted your uncle,” Cassie clucked. “But was it just road rage or some old feud?”

“Did he know this biker from before?” Meg pitched in. “Maybe that biker dude had some kind of grudge against Dr. Hudson.”

Dennis smiled condescendingly.

“My uncle didn’t associate with riffraff. So there’s no way he knew some hoodlum from a biker gang.”

“Couldn’t he have been a patient?” Cassie was curious.

Dennis shrugged and conceded it was probable.

“Did he have any other enemies?” Meg asked. “Posh ones?”

The waitress came by and asked if anyone wanted fresh coffee. Cassie sat down and nodded. Meg followed suit.

“We need to go.” The girl with Dennis began meekly.

“This won’t take long,” Cassie assured her. “We all want to know who shot Graham.”

Dennis was close to losing his cool.

“My uncle was a recluse, Ms. Butler. He rarely talked to anyone.”

“Graham seemed pretty friendly to me. He was planning that big party and wanted to invite the whole town.”

“That was after,” Dennis muttered.

“After what?” Cassie prompted.

“Uncle Graham gave up his medical practice three years ago, okay. He sold everything and came here, away from the public eye.”

“Is that when his wife died?” Meg asked. “We know about that.”

“That was a few months after he came here.” Dennis hesitated. “Look, why don’t you go talk to his old secretary? She knows the whole story.”

“You mean there is someone who wanted to harm Graham?” Cassie asked coldly. “Why have you kept that from us?”

Dennis slapped his knee and eyed the diner door, as if looking for an escape route.

“When we came here, Uncle Graham had lost the will to live. He was depressed, to tell you the truth. Then we tracked down his granddaughter. It was like he had a new lease on life.”

Cassie took Meg’s hand in hers. Reuniting with her daughter was the biggest moment of her life.

“Did you come here with Graham?” Meg asked. “Have you always lived with him?”

Dennis pulled at the collar of his shirt and cleared his throat.

“Uncle and I have always been close. I came down here on the weekends, just to hang with him. Then I lost my job.”

“You moved here permanently after that,” Cassie guessed.

“Rents in the city are sky high. Uncle offered me room and board and a good salary.” Dennis tore open a pack of sugar and poured it into an empty mug. “He said I could leave any time I wanted.”

Cassie could imagine what had happened. Dennis grew used to the cushy small town life and light work load. He never went back.

“Why don’t you send me the contact information for Graham’s secretary?”

She could hear Dennis heave a sigh of relief as she walked out of the diner with Meg.

“You made him sweat, Mom,” Meg giggled.

Cassie bit her lip, trying to remember everything Dennis had said.

“I wonder why.”

Chapter 17

Anna came home after lunch. Julie had taken her to task, urging her to mend things with Gino as soon as possible.

“Don’t let it fester. He must be hurting, Anna.”

So was she. But Mary had sided with Julie too and as they sat gazing at the water, eating sandwiches on their favorite bench on the Coastal Walk, Anna realized they were right.

“I need some time.”

“Tell him that,” Julie stressed.

Anna wondered what Gino was doing that day. She and her husband John had always been in sync. In thirty four years of married life, she didn’t remember a time when they weren’t speaking to each other. Was she being childish? Learning about John’s infidelity had hurt her a lot. Gino knew that and had promised he would never keep any secrets from her.

She heard the clatter of feet in the kitchen and Cassie and Meg burst into her room.

“Get ready, Mom! We’re going on a road trip.”

Meg poured out what they had learned from Dennis. The girls had decided to pay Graham’s secretary a surprise visit.

“Let’s catch her unawares,” Cassie nodded. “Why give her a chance to doctor her answers?”

She laughed at her own joke.

“Julie’s on her way,” Meg informed her, picking up a bottle of Anna’s perfume and spraying it on her wrist. “It’ll be fun, Grandma. We haven’t been anywhere in ages.”

Anna got caught up in their enthusiasm. She could call Gino later. He would most probably be busy working anyway.

Julie honked twice to declare her arrival. Cassie had grabbed some homemade trail mix and chips for the trip. Meg picked up water and juice.

“This is a great idea, girls! I’ve been trying to rewrite a chapter since lunch.”

Cassie rode shotgun with Julie, leaving Meg and Anna to get in the back. The day was bright and they had several hours of daylight ahead of them. Meg proposed a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge after they finished talking to the secretary.

“Her name’s Darla Fisher,” Cassie supplied.

Julie merged on the state highway and headed north. Cassie put on some lively tunes and they tapped their feet and sang along, in high spirits.

None of them noticed a couple of bikers pass them on the right and move in front of their car. Julie slowed down in reflex, engrossed in chatting with the girls.

Meg looked out of her window a few minutes later and shrank back.

“That guy’s in our lane, Julie.”

“What’s the matter, kid?” Cassie’s smile froze and her mouth hung open. “Aunt Julie!”

Anna saw Julie tense and sit up straighter. That’s when she spotted a heavily bearded man on a bike, riding mere inches from her face. She counted four in front, two on each side and six or eight behind the car.

“We are surrounded, girls,” she muttered under her breath.

“Bikers!” Meg cried and tapped Cassie on the shoulder. “Mom, do you think …?”

Julie took a deep breath and told them to relax.

“They’ll pass us and be on their way.”

“But why are those guys in our lane?” Cassie screamed. “That’s not normal.”

The bikes on their right suddenly fell back and the ones on their left edged closer, forcing Julie on the shoulder. The car shuddered as it rode over the rough surface and Julie gripped the steering wheel tightly, struggling to keep control.

Anna called out a warning a split second before the bikes in front braked suddenly and turned around to face them. Julie followed suit and the car skid over the tarmac, coming to a stop mere inches from the bikers.

A biker on the left rammed into the driver side door, making them all cry out in terror. Julie wound her window down, ready to hurl some choice words but Cassie stopped her. A dozen heavily muscled, bearded bikers revved their bikes and crowded the windows, glaring at them. Then they were gone.

There was a deathly silence in the car for some time. Then the reactions started.

Julie banged a fist on the dash, trying to control her anger. Meg sat hugging her knees close to her chest. Cassie was dialing Bobby.

“What was that?” Anna cried.  “Is this some kind of prank?”

“I think we’ve been warned, Mom.”

Bobby’s worried face flashed on Cassie’s phone. They poured out the story one by one. Anna wanted to get home at the earliest. Julie could barely move.

Meg opened her door and jumped down to examine the damage. There was a big dent on the side but other than that, the car appeared to be fine. She got back in at Cassie’s urging.

After what seemed like a lifetime, Julie finally started the car again and pulled out. Cassie reminded them of the biker who had punched Graham Hudson.

“Did you recognize one of those men?” Anna asked her.

Cassie shook her head.

“We don’t have his description, Mom. And they all look pretty much the same, with those dark glasses and tattoos and pony tails.”

“Let’s go home,” Anna croaked.

Half an hour later, they sat in Anna’s living room, still dazed from the incident. Meg had called Leo on the way home.

When the doorbell rang, they thought the police had come to take their complaint.

Gino rushed in and gathered Anna in his arms. She began shaking uncontrollably.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re okay now.”

He dispatched Meg to get a bottle of brandy, refusing to leave Anna.

Meg came out with a tray of glasses and the bottle. She poured two fingers of brandy for everyone, on Gino’s instructions.

Julie held up her hands before her. Her face had lost its color.

“My hands are still shaking.”

The doorbell chimed and Leo came in with another deputy. They asked a lot of questions and promised they would be on the lookout for the gang.

“There haven’t been any complaints,” the deputy told them. “These bikers generally don’t harass people. Sounds like an isolated incident.”

“It was a warning, plain and simple.” Cassie sounded normal. “We were asking questions about that biker who punched Graham Hudson.”

Leo promised to inform the detectives on the Hudson case. It was time they tracked the biker down and brought him in for questioning.

Anna squiggled in Gino’s embrace but he refused to let her go.

“I was going to call tonight.”

Gino planted a kiss on her forehead and looked into her eyes.

“I aged ten years in the past hour, Anna.”

Anna remembered Julie’s words. Gino was the real deal. Had she been too hard on him? If he had hidden MJ’s past from her, maybe he had a reason.

The sky had darkened while they talked. None of them had noticed the time.

“It’s almost eight!” Cassie cried out. “My fast has begun.”

Anna told her to forget her diet for a day. They had planned to have dinner in the city. She thought about what she had in the freezer. Maybe she could rustle up a quick pasta for their meal.

“You’re all coming to Mystic Hill for dinner,” Gino declared. “Leo’s getting off duty in a few minutes. He can drive your car, Julie.”

“Great,” Julie sighed. “I don’t think I’m getting behind the wheel of a car in this lifetime.”

Anna rolled her eyes. Being a writer, Julie was always prone to hyperbole. It was an occupational hazard.

“What’s for dinner?” Meg asked, relieving the tension.

Gino had a cook and housekeeper who was an expert at comfort food. Leo arrived and they drove to Mystic Hill in two cars.

The table was laid and two bottles of wine were breathing on the counter. Gino poured the wine and Leo brought out a big charcuterie platter. There was beef stew and fresh rolls for dinner, followed by berry cobbler and vanilla ice cream.

Leo offered to drop them home after the meal.

“Why don’t you go ahead, girls?” Anna nodded. “Gino will bring me home.”

“We’re right behind you,” Gino promised them.

Then it was just the two of them, out on the patio below a full moon. The vineyard stretched before them on gentle slopes, the vines glowing in the soft light.

Anna swallowed a lump, trying to summon the courage to speak.

“I’m sorry!” they both said at the same time and laughed.

“You’ll always have my back, won’t you?” Anna whispered.

“Always.” Gino held her hands in his. “The only reason I didn’t tell you about MJ … I believe she is innocent.”

Chapter 18

Anna opened her eyes and shut them back again. The sun was streaming through her bedroom window, bathing her bed in a pale yellow light. She realized she had overslept and wondered why the girls hadn’t come to wake her up. She sat up in bed, thinking about her drive home with Gino.

“What are you smiling about?” Cassie came in, carrying two mugs of coffee.

She was still in her pajamas.

“Meg’s making blueberry pancakes for breakfast,” she announced. “I already called the café. MJ has everything under control. So we are going to take our time this morning.”

Anna took the steaming cup of coffee from Cassie’s hands and took a bracing sip. Suddenly, she didn’t want to get out of bed at all.

“Why don’t we stay here all day? Eat pancakes and ice cream and watch TV?”

Cassie didn’t have that luxury.

“I have a recording session in three hours. How about a rain check?”

Meg came in with another tray, loaded with a stack of pancakes, a pitcher of syrup and a plate of crispy bacon.

“Are we eating in bed?” Anna quizzed.

“You bet, Grandma!” Meg snuggled beside her and balanced the tray on her lap.

She picked up the pitcher and poured maple syrup over the pancakes until they were well and truly drenched.

They all took a bite before Cassie stood before her with her hands on her hips.

“Now dish, Mom! How did it go with Gino last night?”

Anna rolled her eyes.

“That’s between us.”

“Aw, come on, Grandma!” Meg cried. “You know Drake’s in Europe all summer. You’re the only one of us with a love life.”

Anna turned red.

“Don’t call it that, Megs,” Cassie groaned. “She won’t tell us a thing now.”

The banter continued until three stacks of pancakes were eaten and plenty of crunchy, peppery bacon was consumed.

“When are we going to the city again?” Cassie asked. “We still need to meet Graham’s secretary.”

Anna told them Gino had forbidden them from leaving the town on their own.

“Can he do that, Grandma?” Meg winked. “Forbid us? Isn’t that a bit cave man like?”

“Don’t be literal,” Anna laughed. “He’s just looking out for us, girls.”

“Actually, it’s a pretty good idea, Mom. I’m tied up till evening and Meg needs to get back to her research. Why don’t you go to the city with him?”

“That’s the plan, or was. Gino will call Darla Fisher and set up an appointment for us. I’m expecting a call from him any time.”

The phone rang at that instant. Anna spoke for a few minutes and hung up.

“Gino’s picking me up in an hour. Play time’s over, girls.”

The pajama party broke up and they reluctantly went back to their chores.

Anna took a long shower and took some time getting ready. She clipped her favorite diamond and pearl studs in her ears and observed herself in the mirror. Not bad for a woman in her late fifties, she thought critically. Her pixie cut made her face look angular but she had ample curves to balance that. The salt and pepper hair gave her dignity. Gino often told her she was beautiful inside out.

The man in her thoughts arrived soon after and they set off. Anna talked nonstop until they reached the city, feeling like she had been away from Gino for a lifetime.

Darla Fisher worked in a squat, one storied red brick building that housed the North Bay Family Practice. They waited for her in the reception area, surrounded by sick people who were coughing and sneezing.

A lean, pleasant faced woman came out, carrying a lunch bag. Her hair was cropped close to her scalp and her manner was brisk and efficient.

Anna greeted her and apologized for encroaching on her lunch hour.

“As long as I can eat while we talk …” Darla smiled kindly.

Anna let her open a Tupperware container of salad and take a few bites.

“You wanted to talk about Dr. Hudson?” Darla began. “He was a really good doctor. I was his nurse for twenty five years.”

Anna let her reminisce. Based on what she told them, Graham Hudson had been a highly sought after surgeon in the Bay Area.

“He never turned anyone away,” Darla told them. “Paid out of his own pocket if they couldn’t afford the treatment.”

“So he was always interested in philanthropy,” Anna reasoned.

“He did what he could.” Darla ate a cherry tomato. “I work with a lot of doctors here and I can tell you this …” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Graham was one of a kind.”

Anna wanted to know why Darla had stopped working for him.

“He took early retirement and moved away from the city. I didn’t really have a choice.”

“Can you think of someone who might have wanted to harm him? Bore him a grudge?”

Darla tore open a container of yogurt and laughed readily.

“Everyone loved Dr. Hudson. He was like a ray of sunshine for his patients. It was kind of surprising, really, considering his personal life.”

“Are you talking about his daughter?”

Darla nodded. “Angela was always a wrong one. Her mother died when she was ten. Dr. Hudson took it hard. He hired a nanny for the child and plunged into his work.”

“I take it Angela didn’t like that.”

“He loved her very much.” Darla defended her old boss. “Spoilt her rotten, if you ask me. But she started doing drugs in high school. She was in and out of rehab in her teens. The doctor did everything he could but she walked out on the day she turned eighteen.”

Darla’s eyes had grown moist. Anna wondered if the woman’s feelings for the doctor were entirely platonic.

“Other than Angela, was there anyone Graham didn’t get along with?”

Darla began closing her Tupperware boxes, shaking her head vigorously. Then she sat up straight, looking stunned.

“I forgot about Steve Summers.”

Anna encouraged her to continue.

“Steve was an operating room nurse. He worked closely with Dr. Hudson.”

Darla told them Steve’s six year old son had suddenly taken ill. Steve wanted Graham Hudson to treat the boy but there was a scheduling conflict. The boy died.

“Steve blamed Dr. Hudson, accused him of negligence.”

“Was he right?” Anna asked the tough question.

Darla hesitated.

“Dr. Hudson had back to back surgeries scheduled over that day. He gave a higher priority to his current patients, I guess.”

Technically, Graham had acted by the book. His nurse expected special treatment based on their personal relations.

“Steve was inconsolable. There was a big brouhaha at his son’s funeral. Steve accused Dr. Hudson of killing his boy.”

Anna let out a gasp. She could imagine what a tough spot Graham must have been in.

“Dr. Hudson felt culpable, I guess,” Darla sighed. “He took early retirement and started looking for a place outside the city.”

Gino asked about Graham’s family.

“It was a double tragedy,” Darla told them. “His wife wasn’t too happy about leaving the city. Fortunately for her, she didn’t have to suffer the small town life for long.”

“Wait a minute,” Anna interrupted. “Are you talking about his second wife?”

Darla’s expression soured.

“Dr. Hudson married again. Paula was a lot younger than him, younger than Angela even, but she made him happy.”

“What happened to Paula?” Gino finally spoke up. “Did she fall ill?”

“Car accident,” Darla quipped.

She glanced at her watch and excused herself.

Anna thanked her for talking to them.

“Did you ever meet Dennis Myers?” she asked.

“His nephew?” Darla smiled. “Dennis is a charmer. He used to come by the clinic to visit Dr. Hudson. They had lunch every Thursday.”

“So they got along well?”

“Dennis was the son he never had,” Darla shrugged. “I really need to rush now.”

Anna convinced Gino to make a pit stop before they got lunch. The lab wasn’t much to look at. The prim receptionist shook her head at everything Anna said.

“I don’t know what theft you are talking about, Ma’am. This is a highly secure facility. We have a reputation for being one of the most sought after private laboratories for carbon dating.”

Anna goaded her into revealing how long she had worked at the illustrious institution.

“The incident I’m talking about happened almost three years ago. Maybe I can talk to a manager?”

The girl, Kasey, finally warmed up a bit.

“That was before my time. Mickey Miranda managed the lab for twenty five years but he left around the time I joined. I remember because they had a farewell party for him on my first day here.”

Anna hoped he was enjoying his retirement.

“He didn’t look that old,” Kasey shrugged. “Someone said he won the lottery.”

Anna thanked her and walked out, dejected at having hit another dead end. Gino stood outside the car, chatting with two women their age.

“These lovely ladies kept me company while you were gone.”

“How do you like working here?” she asked them politely. “Must be a highly specialized job.”

“It can be tedious.” One of the women admitted readily. “Having fun coworkers makes a big difference.”

The two women shared a glance and frowned.

“Our old manager was quite amusing. Things just haven’t been the same since he left.”

“Are you talking about Mickey Miranda?” Anna burst out, unable to believe her luck.

“You know Mickey?” The woman’s eyes widened. “How’s early retirement treating him?”

Anna confessed she was trying to get in touch with the man. “My late husband was very impressed with him,” she fibbed.

Her little ploy worked like a charm. The woman promised to send her Mickey’s address and contact details.

Anna beamed as she got into the car. She couldn’t believe all the information they had unearthed.

“I think I’ve earned my supper now.”

They went over everything Darla told them while Gino drove them to his favorite dim sum restaurant.

“Graham seems to have lost everyone he loved,” Anna spoke out loud. “No wonder he was so excited about seeing his granddaughter.”

“How many suspects have you gathered by now?” Gino asked her indulgently, deftly picking up a chicken sui mai dumpling with his chopsticks.

They had reached the restaurant and ordered a big assortment.

Anna sipped jasmine tea and counted on her fingers.

“There’s Dennis Myers, the nephew. He doesn’t actually inherit anything but he does get a generous allowance to manage the Hudson Trust.”

“He went for a run and could easily have swung by the scene of crime,” Gino summed up. “Next?”

“Angela, the drug addict. She was confident she was the sole heir. Doesn’t have an alibi.”

“Leaves her wide open. Who else?”

“That biker who punched him on the road. We don’t know anything about him.”

Gino told her Leo was taking care of that. The police were busy trying to track down the bikers who had waylaid them.

“That nurse Darla mentioned. Steve Summers. He promised to avenge his son’s death.”

Gino tapped his chopsticks on his plate.

“Where was Steve Summers the day Graham was shot dead?”

Chapter 19

Anna was ready to put her feet up by the time they drove back into Dolphin Bay.

“Why don’t you stay for dinner? The girls must have rustled up something.”

Gino pled fatigue.

“Let’s catch up tomorrow. I’ll see you at 10, bright and early.”

“I’ll bring the coffee,” Anna laughed.

Meg and Cassie were both busy in the kitchen. Wine was breathing on the kitchen counter and the heady aromas of burnt garlic mingled with seafood.

“Let me guess. Cassie’s making fried rice.”

“Not just that, Mom. I’m also making fish poached in a red chili and coconut curry. You’re going to love it.”

Meg took her hand and led her out into the garden. Anna exclaimed in delight at the sight of white fairy lights strung around the trees and bushes. Scented candles were lit around the hot tub and flower petals floated in the water.

“You have been busy!”

“We thought you might enjoy a soak in the hot tub after that long drive, Grandma.”

“On one condition …” Anna pinched Meg’s cheek. “You have to join me. I won’t take no for an excuse.”

They snacked on a colorful fruit salad Cassie had put together, with melons, berries and mangoes along with a creamy dip.

Anna talked about her meeting with Darla Fisher.

“So your trip wasn’t a bust.” Cassie was thoughtful. “We might have a new suspect.”

Meg reminded them that Leo was dropping in after he got off work.

“I asked him to stay for dinner.”

“There’s always extra,” Anna assured her. “Leo’s welcome here any time, sweetie. You know that.”

“Is that because Meg likes him or because you like Gino?” Cassie asked cheekily.

Anna took advantage of the free time they had while Cassie cooked dinner. She asked Meg to look up the address the woman at the lab had sent her.

“This is how you pull up the satellite image, Grandma.” She gave a low whistle. “Who is this guy?”

Anna watched Meg pull up a few different websites in quick succession. It all seemed like a blur.

“Found something?”

“This guy lives in a big mansion, see? It’s by the water and has a private dock. According to my research, he bought it for five million dollars.”

“When was that?” Anna asked sharply. “Can you see that?”

“Two years ago,” Meg nodded. “It’s fairly easy to figure out.”

Anna wondered what Kasey had meant when she said Mickey won the lottery. She would have to ask Gino to run a background check on him.

Dinner was a surprise.

“This is delicious, Cassie,” Anna praised her daughter. “Who says you can cook only three things?”

“Garlic Bread, Fried Rice, Goddess Dressing and now fish poached in a red curry,” Cassie beamed. “All I did was dump some things in a pan, Mom. And then slid in the fish fillets.”

“I’m not big on curry,” Leo admitted. “But I liked this one.”

They were all eager to learn about what the police had been doing all day.

“Let’s have dessert later,” Anna told Cassie.

Anna could barely wait until they sat in the living room with their coffee.

“So, young man? Have you made any progress?”

Leo beamed at them, looking excited.

“We tracked that biker down.”

It hadn’t been easy. Summer was a popular time to be on the road and the police realized that a dozen different biker gangs had passed through town in the past week. Thanks to some meticulous police work, they had been able to get a fix on the man who had given Graham Hudson a bloody nose.

“His name is Corey Peterson,” Leo supplied. “He has a police record, so we dug up plenty of dirt on him.”

Corey Peterson had old ties with Angela Hudson. As if that wasn’t enough, he was related to Graham’s dead wife.

“You mean Angela’s mom or the new one?” Anna was excited. “We just learned about the new one today. Her name was Paula.”

“Paula was Corey’s sister,” Leo confirmed. “She was barely twenty when she married the doctor.”

“Trophy wife!” Cassie exclaimed with relish. “What happened to her, Mom?”

Anna told them Darla hadn’t mentioned details.

“She died in an accident.”

Leo told them Corey held Graham responsible for his sister’s death.

“That gives him a motive,” Anna cried. “All this time, we thought that run-in with the biker was a coincidence. Maybe this Corey planned it all. He was just spoiling for a fight.”

“Question is, did he stop there?” Cassie followed up. “What do you say, Leo?”

“The police think this is a strong lead,” Leo admitted. “It’s beginning to look like Corey Peterson shot the doctor.”

“That’s great news!” Meg sprang up from her seat. “Let’s call MJ and tell her. It will be a big weight off her chest.”

Anna advised caution.

“Let the police arrest him for the murder.”

The mood had lightened and Anna declared she was ready for dessert. Cassie was making fried banana fritters, Meg’s favorite.

Anna watched indulgently while Meg and Leo argued over the number of slices needed to make a truly gooey grilled cheese sandwich.

Cassie brought out three bowls of hot fried bananas with ice cream and plenty of caramel sauce. Anna was half asleep by the time she had worked through her bowl.

“I’m proud of you, Cass,” she whispered with eyes closed.

“I can eat all the ice cream I want when I’m your age, Mom.”

Cassie followed Anna to her bedroom and hung around, looking at the pictures on her dresser. She stayed there until Anna got into her pajamas and went into the bathroom to wash her face.

“Why are you still lurking here?”

“Meg’s out there with Leo. I’m giving them some privacy, Mom.”

“You can do it from your own room.” Anna yawned widely. “Do you have something to say, Cassie?”

“You haven’t mentioned Dad in a while.”

Anna’s face fell. The visit to the lab had been promising but she didn’t want to raise her daughter’s hopes. So she decided to say nothing.

“John’s never far from my mind, honey. And you know he’ll always be in my heart.”

Cassie wanted to ask if Anna had made any progress in John’s case but she took one look at her tired face and decided to do it later.

She was back in her room and in bed wearing her favorite silk pajamas ten minutes later. She called Bobby and assured him she had stuck to her diet.

“I said no to fried bananas!” she exclaimed.

“You can thank me when you wear that super hero costume,” Bobby told her.

Cassie fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and woke up before her alarm went off. The sky was overcast and a heavy bank of dark clouds hung over the garden. She pulled on her fitness gear and laced her sneakers, refusing to stay in because it might rain.

A light drizzle started as soon as she hit the Coastal Walk. Cassie ignored it and ran toward the Castle Beach Resort, eager to meet her pal Ted.

Teddy Fowler sported a new haircut and was swinging a leg over their usual bench, trying to stretch his hamstring.

“I’m surprised you decided to come,” he greeted her. “Heavy rains are expected in the morning hours today.”

Cassie congratulated him for a job well done.

“You solved this one pretty quickly.”

“Are you talking about the Hudson case?” Teddy sat down. “I’m not sure we’re on the right track.”

Cassie put her hands on her hips and tried to catch her breath.

“That’s not what we heard from Leo. Are you dilly dallying because Leo will get all the credit?”

Teddy looked hurt.

“He’s a smart kid, Cass. You know Gino took me under his wing when I was a rookie? I’m going to do the same for his nephew.”

“So why don’t you think Corey Peterson is guilty?”

Cassie started doing her stretches.

Teddy explained that they didn’t have any solid evidence against the biker. They hadn’t uncovered the murder weapon yet.

“Forensics don’t favor Peterson either.”

Based on the footprints they had found near Graham’s car and the angle of the wound, the murderer had been a woman.

“Angela and MJ are the only two women Graham interacted with,” Cassie groaned. “That means MJ is still not in the clear? Mom’s going to be disappointed.”

“I’m sorry, Cass. But that’s the way it is. Dennis Myers and Angela Hudson both have strong motives. And neither of them has an alibi.”

Cassie closed her eyes and took some deep breaths.

“But you’re not completely ruling out Corey as a suspect?”

Teddy shook his head.

“No, he’s still a strong suspect, if that makes you happy.”

The rain started coming down stronger. They got up and ran down the Coastal Walk, laughing like little kids.

“Remember our second grade field trip to the redwood forest?” Teddy howled with laughter. “You carried an umbrella around all day, refusing to get wet. Then you slipped down that hill and landed in mud.”

“I was such a diva!” Cassie joined in. “How did you guys tolerate me?”

“We knew you were meant for great things,” Teddy teased. “You never stopped reminding us.”

Cassie punched him in the arm, enjoying the trip down memory lane.

“Did you always want to be a detective?”

Teddy had been devoted to her since kindergarten. He finally stopped following her around when she began dating Dylan Woods in high school.

“I guess. There aren’t too many jobs on offer in a small town.”

They reached the spot on Main Street where they went their separate ways.

“So what kind of dirt do you have on MJ?” Cassie asked.

Teddy laughed.

“Come on, Cass! You know I can’t tell you that.”

Chapter 20

Anna stood at her kitchen window, watching the rain come down in torrents. The fog on her brain cleared slowly as she sipped her coffee. The wet weather inspired her to bake.

Meg shuffled into the kitchen, stifling a yawn.

“Are you making cherry cupcakes, Grandma?”

“Cherry with coconut cream frosting and a new recipe for peach. I’m trying to decide between peach upside down cake and peach cupcakes.”

“Whatever you decide, I’ll help you taste them.”

Cassie arrived from her run, drenched to the skin.

“You’re trailing water everywhere,” Anna laughed. “Take a hot shower immediately and dry your hair properly.”

“Yes Ma’am!” Cassie gave her a mock salute and winked at Meg.

Anna thought the wet weather called for a hot, comforting breakfast. She started a pot of oatmeal and turned around to get Meg’s opinion.

“What do you want to eat, dear?”

“Something hot, spicy, cheesy … I can help.”

Anna asked Meg to start chopping vegetables while she shredded a block of sharp cheddar. Half an hour later, they sat down to a lavish plateful of cheesy eggs, sausages and home fries.

“You guys are killing me!” Cassie groaned as she walked into the kitchen. “All I am allowed to have is herbal tea.”

“Already packed you some.” Anna pointed at a small Tupperware container. “You can heat it up when it’s time.”

The rain had reduced to a drizzle by the time Anna and Meg got ready. Anna dropped Meg off at the college library and drove to the café.

MJ was handling the crowd smoothly. Surprisingly enough, the rain didn’t seem to have deterred the regulars. Anna picked up a fresh pot and moved from table to table, greeting customers and topping up their coffee.

Mary sat with the Garden Committee ladies at a table. Anna thought they must have called an impromptu meeting. She went over to ask if they needed anything.

“MJ’s taking good care of us,” Sally Davis assured her. “Her scones just melt in the mouth.”

Agnes held center stage, showing off a big pendant hanging on a thin silver chain.

“This is Caribbean amber,” she boasted. “All natural. See that leaf trapped inside? That’s real. Amber is made from trees that are at least a million years old.”

Anna didn’t contradict her. Agnes had a caustic personality at the best of times.

“It’s beautiful, Agnes. Where did you get this? Cassie’s birthday is coming up and this looks like something she would like.”

Agnes sat up straighter and preened.

“Didn’t I say it’s Caribbean? It’s not from around here and it’s very expensive.”

“How much?” Sally was curious.

Agnes gave a slight shrug.

“It’s a gift. So I don’t know the price.”

“Did your sister get it for you?” Mary asked softly.

Agnes and her sister were very close. The woman spent half her time in Dolphin Bay and everyone in town was familiar with her.

“Well, if you must know, it’s a gift from Lara.”

“Lara Crawford?” Sally stuttered.

There was a murmur across the table. Why was the mayor gifting expensive jewelry to one of their members?

“Well, if you must know …” Agnes scowled at the table. “She has a necklace made of amber. I’ve often admired it. Lara said she thought of me when she came across this piece.”

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with her.” Anna squeezed a word in. “Her secretary said she was out of town.”

“She was in the Caribbean,” Agnes smirked. “It’s her semiannual vacation. The Crawfords have a home over there.”

Anna wasn’t surprised. Everyone knew the Crawfords had plenty of money. But why was Lara Crawford showering mean old Agnes with gemstones?

“She’s not a bad sort, you know?” Agnes was saying. “I think we have been hasty in judging her.” She wagged a finger at Anna. “This is why I asked the Garden Committee here today.”

“We have all been wondering that, Agnes,” Sally interrupted. “What was so urgent?”

“I don’t believe Lara stole our money,” Agnes declared. “Must have been an accounting error.”

“But I’m still investigating,” Anna spoke up. “I’ll arrange a meeting with the mayor, now that she’s back in town.”

“No need,” Agnes dismissed. “Don’t bother her.”

“Let’s not be hasty, Agnes,” Sally bristled, looking at Anna for support.

“The money is still missing,” Mary pointed out. “How do we know this won’t happen again?”

Agnes never got a chance to reply.

The café door flew open and two policemen barged in, their uniforms wet from the rain. They looked around, trying to spot someone. Then they marched to the kitchen and told MJ they were arresting her.

The small crowd erupted. Everyone started talking at once.

Anna rushed to MJ’s aid, barely able to hear her pleas.

“Help me, Anna. Please help me. I’m innocent.”

Anna stood frozen on spot, unable to say a word. Mary’s arms came around her, wrapping her in a hug.

“I thought she was in the clear.” Anna felt dazed.

“Julie and Cassie are on the way,” Mary consoled. “Why don’t you take a seat?”

The café emptied slowly. Cassie and Julie arrived together and made a beeline for Anna.

“I thought the police were going to arrest that biker!” Julie cried.

Cassie told them about her conversation with Teddy Fowler.

“You should have warned us,” Anna reproached. “We could have convinced MJ to surrender herself.”

“There was no evidence against anyone,” Cassie insisted. “That was why they didn’t arrest Corey Peterson.”

Julie connected the dots.

“If they made an arrest now, it means they must have found something that implicates MJ.”

“She swore she didn’t kill Graham.” Anna was dismayed. “But she’s lied to us before.”

Julie proposed going to the police station. “It’s the only place we can find out what happened.”

Mary and Cassie chose to stay at the café. Anna thought of calling Gino but decided against it. They had barely resumed talking. She didn’t want MJ to come between them again.

The police station was crowded and Anna didn’t spot any familiar face. The desk clerk on duty asked them to wait. Leo sauntered out half an hour later and walked to the water cooler. Anna got up and rushed toward him.

“What’s going on?”

Leo looked over his shoulder and shook his head.

“I’m not allowed to say anything, Mrs. Butler.”

“Come on, kid.” Julie joined them. “Even your Uncle Gino believes MJ is innocent. Why have they arrested her?”

“We can’t ignore the evidence.” Leo told them someone had called in a tip. MJ had been seen leaving her house the night Graham Hudson was shot dead. “So she was out there around the time the crime was committed.”

“So was Dennis Myers,” Anna reminded him. “You haven’t brought him in.”

Leo told them there was more.

“The police haven’t released all the information about the case.”

Anna and Julie both coaxed him to continue.

“Graham owned an antique watch, like a timepiece. It was like a talisman or charm. He never went anywhere without it. When Dennis Myers didn’t find it in his uncle’s effects, he reported it as missing.”

“How is this watch relevant?” Anna quizzed. “Do you think it will show when the crime was committed?”

“The watch doesn’t work,” Leo sighed. “Look, we conducted a search of MJ’s apartment.”

“Let me guess,” Julie muttered. “You found this old watch in her room.”

Leo pursed his lips and nodded.

“That doesn’t mean anything.” Anna was thoughtful. “Graham might have given it to her, for any reason. He dropped her home that night, remember?”

“That’s the story MJ is giving us. Apparently, Graham showed her this watch that night. It was exactly like the one her great grandfather had passed down to her grandpa and then her father. It made her cry. Graham gave her the watch and told her to keep it.”

“I can imagine him doing that,” Anna sighed. “Graham was a kind soul.”

Leo opened his mouth and clammed up. Anna thought she must sound very gullible.

“It’s the kind of story we would expect from a convict.”

“So what?” Julie snorted. “You are accusing her of murdering a man just because she has his watch? An old piece of junk that doesn’t even show time?”

Leo drained his glass of water and filled it again.

“The watch is just part of the story, ladies. We did a thorough search of the room above the garage.”

Anna’s heart sped up. She wasn’t going to like what Leo said next.

“We found a gun.” Leo stared back at them, almost daring them to contradict him. “It matches the type used to kill Dr. Hudson.”

“What happens now?” Anna felt her legs wobble.

Leo placed a hand on her arm and steadied her. His eyes were full of regret.

“There is only one outstanding question now. Did MJ do this alone or did she have an accomplice.”

Chapter 21

Anna walked out of the police station, clutching Julie’s hand. Her mind was in turmoil. Was she wrong about MJ?

“What was she doing with a gun?”

Julie twisted her mouth and shook her head.

“Things don’t look good for MJ, Anna.”

The rain had picked up again. Suddenly, all Anna wanted to do was curl up in bed and go to sleep. A long black sedan drove up slowly and stopped next to them. The back window slid down and a familiar face peeped out.

“Hello ladies! Care for a ride?”

Julie took a step back and muttered under her breath.

“Charlie Robinson!” Anna greeted her old friend. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“Why don’t you get out of the rain?”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Julie replied before Anna could say anything. “We came in my car.”

Charlie looked disappointed.

“I wanted to invite you to lunch.”

Charlie Robinson was the owner of the Castle Beach Resort, a luxury destination for the rich and famous. Julie thought he was sweet on Anna. But that wasn’t the reason she gave him a wide berth. Charlie’s ancestors had been smugglers and Julie suspected he still carried on the family business under the guise of running the hotel.

Anna told Julie to pick up Cassie and meet her at the resort. She slid into the back seat with Charlie.

“Everything alright?” Charlie was solicitous as the chauffer headed to the resort. “You look a bit pale.”

Anna poured out the whole story, telling him about her dilemma.

“You’re not sure if this girl who works for you is innocent.” Charlie fiddled with his bow tie and gazed at her kindly. “The evidence might be stacked against her now, Anna. But what does your gut say?”

Anna felt she didn’t really know MJ.

“I’ve known you all my life,” she explained. “That’s why I could never believe you would hurt someone deliberately, regardless of the evidence. Plus MJ has already lied to me once.”

Charlie advised her to take a break.

“The chef has a new summer menu. Why don’t you try it out and let me know what you think?”

Anna thanked him for his generosity.

The manager at the resort greeted her warmly and led her to the covered portion of the terrace. Visibility was low and the bay appeared like a wall of gray in the distance. Julie arrived with Cassie and Mary.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Cassie rubbed her shoulders. “You don’t have to continue working on this. Let the police do their job.”

Charlie recommended the blueberry lemonade, a seasonal specialty. A procession of servers arrived, bearing steaming bowls of clam chowder and a basket of warm crusty bread.

The savory aromas were so compelling that Anna picked up a spoon and began eating. The manager came and took Charlie away for an overseas call.

Salmon was in season and they tried a variety of dishes featuring it. Cassie went for a mixed berry salad with grilled salmon. Julie chose the salmon pasta while Anna and Mary shared cedar plank salmon with all the fixings. Dessert was blueberry and peach crumble with ginger ice cream.

“So what have you decided?” Julie asked, taking a sip of espresso. “You don’t owe that girl anything.”

Mary placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder.

“Are you concerned about Gino?”

“This is Mom’s call,” Cassie flared up. “Gino better not be forcing her.”

Anna held up her hand.

“Relax! He will back me up no matter what I decide.”

Julie wondered how Anna could be so calm. “In a way, this is all his fault. He brought MJ into your life. What was he thinking?”

“Yeah, Mom! I don’t like how Gino has been handling all this. What’s his connection to MJ anyway?”

Anna felt mortified. The girls were right in a way. And the worst part was she didn’t have an answer for them. She had no idea why Gino trusted MJ so much. It was obvious he was partial to her.

“We have never talked about MJ,” she admitted.

Julie was furious.

“I thought you two made up last night. Didn’t he come clean about the girl?”

Anna repeated what she had said before. “I trust Gino. If he has something to say, he will tell me himself.”

“So we haven’t made any progress,” Mary sighed. “MJ and her past are still a mystery.”

“Not really,” Cassie quipped. “We know she was in prison and she keeps guns around the house.”

Anna closed her eyes and went over everything Leo had told them.

“Why did they go and search MJ’s apartment?” she spoke out loud.

“They received an anonymous tip,” Julie replied. “Or was it because someone saw her go out again?”

Cassie thought about MJ’s landlady. She had gone to sleep immediately after MJ came in.

“Who saw MJ go out again?” she asked Anna. “Was it a neighbor?”

“Leo didn’t say.”

“What if someone planted the gun in MJ’s room and then called in the tip?” Cassie challenged.

“You think we’re being led down the garden path.” Julie narrowed her eyes. “But who would want to frame MJ and why?”

“Personal vendetta?” Anna mused.

“She’s an easy target,” Mary added.

“Aunt Mary’s right.” Cassie stirred her coffee absentmindedly. “MJ has a prison record and she was seen getting into the car with Graham that night.”

“Does MJ know any of the other suspects?” Julie countered.

“She knows Angela Hudson,” Cassie nodded. “MJ said Angela was looking for a place to live.”

“So Angela had access to MJ’s apartment?” Anna’s eyebrows shot up. “That means she could have planted the gun.”

Cassie told them about visiting Angela in the run down building.

“Apparently, she found another place.”

The rain had stopped while they ate and the sun peeped out of the clouds for the first time since that morning.

“Storm’s receding,” Julie observed. “Clear weather for the rest of the week.”

The hostess escorted a couple on the terrace. They wanted to sit in the open but the hostess was trying to discourage them.

“The furniture’s wet, Sir. And it might start raining anytime.”

“Don’t you people listen? According to the forecast, there is zero chance of rain after 2 PM.”

Anna saw Cassie sit up and stare at the couple.

“Someone you know?” she mouthed silently.

“Hey Dennis!” Cassie called out cheerily. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Dennis Myers spun around, a frown marring his face for a split second. His face stretched in its usual smile. He walked over to their table and beamed down at them.

“Great minds think alike, I see.” He turned toward the brown haired young woman on his arm. “You’ve met Jessie, of course.”

The woman scratched a spot below her ear and smiled sweetly.

“Why don’t you introduce me properly, Dennis?”

Anna quirked an eyebrow at Cassie but received only a shrug in response.

Dennis cleared his throat. “Meet Jessie Taylor, ladies. Jessie is Uncle Graham’s granddaughter.”

Anna’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

“The same granddaughter who inherits Graham’s estate?” Julie asked brightly. “Congratulations, my dear. Or should I say, condolences? It’s a bit confusing.”

Jessie told her it didn’t matter.

“I never met my grandfather. I’m sorry he’s gone, of course. But I can’t pretend to mourn someone I never knew.”

“You’re a straight shooter,” Anna observed. “That’s quite refreshing.”

Dennis began to excuse himself.

“Wait a minute,” Cassie stopped him. “What are you celebrating?”

“You don’t know?” he feigned surprise. “The police arrested the woman who shot Uncle Graham. The case is closed.”

“Not exactly,” Anna spoke under her breath.

“Isn’t that great news?” Cassie played along with Dennis. “But I’m a bit confused. The last time we met, you said Jessie here was your girlfriend.”

Dennis flashed a mega watt smile but Anna noticed his ears had turned red. She was almost certain he was going to lie.

“Of course I did. I was just protecting Jessie. Uncle Graham would never forgive me if something happened to her.”

“But now that the police caught the culprit, you have nothing to fear,” Cassie spoke for him.

“That’s exactly it,” Dennis nodded vigorously. “Now, if you’ll excuse us …”

The hostess led them to the other end of the terrace and finally convinced them to sit under an awning.

“Time to go, girls.” Julie stretched her arms above her head and took a deep breath. “So what do you say, Anna? Have you come to a decision?”

Anna stared hard in the distance, watching the bay sparkle under the pale sun. She didn’t know if MJ was guilty or not. But she was sure of one thing. Dennis Myers was hiding something.

Chapter 22

Cassie sat at the kitchen counter the next morning, sipping herbal tea. Other than water, it was the only thing she permitted herself during the sixteen hours of fasting.

Meg was poaching eggs at the stove. Anna was engrossed in frosting dozens of cupcakes. She had to pick up the slack in MJ’s absence.

Cassie was worried about Anna. She hadn’t said much since they had come back from the Castle Beach Resort the previous afternoon. Anna had declared she was taking a nap and headed to her room. Meg came home from the library, oblivious to what had happened in her absence.

Gino came around as the sun was setting. Anna pleaded a headache and refused to see him. Cassie admired his tenacity. Gino sat in the living room for over an hour, patiently waiting for Anna.

They had gone for a drive, leaving Cassie and Meg on tenterhooks.

“Are they going to break up, Mom?”

Cassie had faith in Gino. He would make things right. Part of her cursed the day MJ had come in their lives. Anna was finally coming to terms with John’s death and looking forward to the future. She had found a good man in Gino. Cassie believed Gino loved her mother and would make her happy for the rest of her days.

None of them could have foreseen the complication created by MJ.

“Gino will make it right, kid,” she soothed.

They heated up some frozen meat sauce and tossed it with spaghetti for a simple dinner. Anna came back and took her food to her room. She woke early and started baking but she hadn’t said much since the girls came into the kitchen.

Cassie watched her frown as her hand shook and a creamy swirl of icing fell on the countertop.

“Are you going to tell us what Gino said, Mom?”

Meg pulled two pieces of bread out of the toaster and generously covered them with avocado mash. She deftly slid a poached egg over each and placed it in front of Anna.

“Don’t we deserve some privacy?” Anna sprinkled hot sauce over her toast and cut into the egg.

Cassie knew Anna was just blowing off steam.

“Gino believes MJ is innocent but he is worried about all the evidence against her.”

“Is that all? Has she ever been violent in the past? Why did she do time in prison?”

Anna shrugged and shook her head.

“It’s not his story to tell. That’s all he’s saying for now. And he wants us all to be careful.”

The kitchen door flung open and Julie burst in, swathed in a spicy citrus scent.

“What are we doing today?” she asked Anna. “I got a lot of work done last night so I’m taking the day off. Put me to work.”

“I need help at the café,” Anna replied.

“What about going to see Angela Hudson?” Cassie asked. “Don’t you want to figure out if she planted the gun at MJ’s apartment?”

Anna told her she couldn’t abandon the café.

“We can go talk to Angela, Mom,” Meg offered. “I could use a break from my research.”

They headed out an hour later.

The sun had decided to smile on Dolphin Bay. Everything looked bright and clean after the rains. The grass was greener and the flowers nodded happily in a light breeze.

“It’s a beautiful day, Mom!” Meg cried happily. “Let’s go to Paradise beach after we meet Angela.”

Cassie got caught up in her daughter’s enthusiasm.

“We can take a picnic.”

The building where Angela Hudson was staying loomed dark and gloomy.

“It’s like the sunlight refuses to reach here,” Meg grumbled.

They picked their way through trash and broken furniture and went up the stairs, trying to ignore the stench.

Cassie knocked on the apartment door and waited for a response. She knocked harder two minutes later and took a few steps back to look around.

“Is this the right unit?” she asked Meg.

“Looks like it.” Meg wouldn’t take her hand off her nose. “Maybe she’s asleep, Mom.”

Cassie started banging on the door with her fists and called out her name. A door opened behind them and a voice called out.

“Haven’t seen her since the big fight.”

“You know Angela?” Cassie whirled around.

“That green eyed old hag?” the woman shrugged. “Hasn’t been here long.”

“Does she sleep in on most days?” Meg asked innocently. “We really need to talk to her.”

The woman, who didn’t give her name, laughed mirthlessly.

“She’s dead to the world most of the time, high on a cocktail of drugs. This whole building is a den for junkies.”

Cassie thought the woman looked sober.

“I’m trying to clean up my act.” She gave another shrug and answered the unspoken questions. “Need to, if I have to see my kids.”

“You mentioned a fight?”

The woman described someone very much like MJ.

“Must be one of her victims. That witch blackmails everyone for a bit of drug money. Anything for the next fix.”

“What were they fighting about?” Cassie prodded. “You must’ve heard something.”

“Wasn’t paying attention.” The woman turned around to go back inside. “Oh yeah! This girl wasn’t taking any crap from the hag though. Warned her to stay away or else.”

“Or else what?” Meg’s eyes were wide with worry.

“Or else it would be the last time she blackmailed anyone.” The woman’s eyes softened. “I’ve heard enough empty threats in my life to know it was one.”

Cassie asked her where she could find the building superintendent.

“Someone who might have an extra key?”

The woman laughed until tears flowed down her eyes.

“You won’t need a lot of force to kick that door down. This whole building is rotten.” Then she took pity on Cassie. “Tell you what … the windows don’t lock either. You can go up the fire escape and pull up the window. Get in that way.”

She went in and slammed the door of her apartment before Cassie could thank her.

“Why do you want to go inside, Mom?” Meg asked. “Angela must have gone out somewhere. It’s not like this woman was watching the door nonstop.”

Cassie told her this was a good opportunity to look around.

“We can find out why she’s blackmailing MJ.”

They made their way down the stairs, holding their breath as long as they could. Cassie stared up at the rickety fire escape and began having second thoughts. Some of the stairs had rust on them and the railing was broken in a few places.

“Why don’t you wait for me here?” she asked Meg. “I’ll be in and out in a jiffy.”

“You’re not going in alone, Mom.” Meg squared her shoulders and followed her.

Cassie held her breath as she gingerly went up the steps. One or two creaked ominously, giving them a big scare. They held on to each other and reached the second floor landing.

“This looks like Angela’s apartment.”

Cassie tapped on the half open window and waited for a minute. She didn’t really expect a response. She began pulling up the window and stopped short at the sight that met her eyes.

“Turn around and go down, Meg.” She tried to keep her voice calm. “No questions, kid. Do it now.”

Meg sensed the gravity in her voice and began going down. Cassie took a deep breath and forced herself to look inside again, just to confirm what she had seen.

“Call an ambulance.” She got off the last step and shuddered, trying to blot out the scene in the room upstairs. “And call the police.”

Meg dialed her phone without asking any questions. Cassie grabbed her daughter’s hand and hung on to her.

“They are on their way, Mom.”

“Call Gino.”

“Already did,” Meg assured her. “He’s on his way. Should we call Grandma?”

“Not yet,” Cassie sighed. “Not yet.”

The news of Angela’s death would spread all over town soon enough. She hoped to give her mother some respite until then.

The ambulance and police arrived five minutes later. Gino was right behind them. He ran up and wrapped his arms around them.

“I’m taking you home, girls.”

Leo stepped out of the police car, followed by Teddy Fowler.

“That will have to wait, Uncle. We need to ask them what happened.”

Cassie asked if they could sit in Gino’s car. She knew the paramedics would be bringing Angela out. She didn’t want Meg to see that.

Teddy nodded and ushered them into the vehicle. He and Leo stood outside, asking questions. Cassie told them what had happened since they arrived at the building.

“I’m sorry, Meg.” Leo was apologetic. “Looks like your MJ has been on a killing spree.”

Chapter 23

Anna stood on the Coastal Walk, staring at the sailboats out in the Bay. Her dress flapped against her knees in the wind. The sun had begun its slow march toward the horizon but she surmised they still had a few hours of daylight left.

It had been an exhausting day. The news of Angela Hudson’s death rocked the whole town. She hadn’t grown up in Dolphin Bay and she didn’t have any local ties other than being Graham Hudson’s daughter. But a murder was a murder. The gossip mill was running overtime and the café had been packed.

Most people had given her covert looks and buzzed like bees, whispering and gesticulating among themselves. A few of them had ventured to ask her questions.

Cassie and Meg had been subdued. Julie tried to keep up the morale. None of them wanted to venture out for lunch so they had ordered sandwiches from the Tipsy Whale. Cassie took Meg home after that.

True to her promise, Julie had stuck with Anna and helped out at the café all day. She had even insisted on driving her home. But Anna wanted to get some fresh air and clear her head. Anna didn’t know what to think any more.

Gino had come by and told her about Angela himself.

“She died of an overdose, of course. But clearly, it wasn’t self administered.”

There had been signs of struggle. They would know more after the autopsy but the prevailing theory was that Angela had been barely conscious when she was attacked.

“She was either drunk or she already had some drugs in her system,” Gino told her.

The additional drugs had proved to be lethal. Angela had made a last ditch effort to ward off her assailant but failed.

“MJ wouldn’t do something like that!” Anna exclaimed. “She bakes scones and pies and takes pleasure in feeding people.”

Gino hadn’t been able to look her in the eye. Anna realized he was shaken to the core.

“She’s a good kid, Anna. But she’s been in situations you and I can’t imagine. Prison changes people, I guess.”

Anna had been dumbfounded.

“You’re saying that now?”

Anna dragged herself to a bench and sat down, tired and weary. Gino wasn’t willing to vouch for MJ anymore. His complete turnaround had shaken her to the core.

She sat on the bench until the sun turned into a fiery orange ball and pink and red ribbons painted a mosaic across the blue sky. Then she struggled to her feet and began walking home.

Cassie and Meg sat in the living room. The TV was on in the background but Anna was sure neither of them was paying attention. Cassie had been true to her word and hadn’t called her even once, letting her have some time to gather her thoughts. But Anna could feel the concern in her eyes.

“We heated up Nana’s lasagna.” Meg took her arm and led her into the dining room. “And Mom made garlic bread.”

“Extra cheesy,” Cassie added.

They talked about the weather as they ate, steering clear of the subject that was topmost in their minds. Meg made banana splits with chocolate gelato that they had left over and the caramel sauce Cassie had made earlier that week.

Anna broke the silence.

“Gino thinks MJ could have done it.”

Cassie and Meg stared at her, their mouths hanging open.

“I do feel betrayed,” Anna admitted before they could say anything. “Who do you think has wronged me more, Gino or MJ?”

“Gino’s only fault is that he trusted her, Mom.”

“Hold on a minute.” Meg plunked her half eaten ice cream on a side table and jumped up. “Are you giving up on MJ that easily, Grandma?”

Anna sighed and looked up at her granddaughter. The mental turmoil MJ was putting them through was far worse than any physical harm.

“Women do commit crimes, Meg. Even cold blooded, premeditated murder.”

Meg had begun pacing the room. She stopped in front of Anna and placed her hand on a hip.

“Angela Hudson was blackmailing several people. Any one of them could have hurt her.”

“And any one of them could have helped her,” Anna stressed. “Including MJ.”

Cassie picked up on Anna’s theory.

“Are you saying Angela was the one who shot Graham?”

“She could have blackmailed MJ into doing it.” Meg stopped mid stride. “And then she made sure the police found out about it and arrested her.”

“You think Angela was the anonymous tipper?” Cassie asked.

They all agreed she could have been.

“What if MJ helped her in some way?” Meg wasn’t giving up. “Angela fired the actual shot but then she planted the gun in MJ’s room.”

“You just gave MJ a strong motive to get revenge on Angela Hudson,” Anna told her.

Anna thought MJ was definitely complicit in Graham’s murder. The girl had always maintained her innocence and pleaded that she was being framed. But the evidence of the gun was irrefutable.

“We need to find out who called in the tip,” she sighed. “Assuming it wasn’t Angela Hudson.”

Cassie and Meg beamed at her.

“So you believe there is at least a one percent chance our girl is innocent?”

Anna told them it was too late and she was turning in.

Back in her room, Anna called Mary and asked her to bake a banana cream pie.

“Already done,” Mary told her smugly. “Rory Cunningham is coming over for breakfast tomorrow morning. He’s going to need that pie after pulling a night shift.”

Anna crossed her fingers and hoped the medical examiner would make things clearer. She just hoped his autopsy would answer more questions than it raised.

Her phone chimed with a message from Gino. With a heavy heart, she forced herself to ignore it and snuggled under the duvet.

Anna woke before the sun the next morning and baked two big batches of cherry cupcakes. She had just finished frosting them when Meg came into the kitchen.

They ate a quick breakfast of toast and oatmeal and Meg helped her load the van.

“We can try baking scones today,” she ventured. “But I don’t think they will be as good as MJ’s. No offense, Grandma.”

Anna smiled and pulled up before the police station.

“What are we doing here?” Meg looked bewildered. “Aren’t we going to the café?”

“Try to keep up, dear.” Anna jumped out and pulled out the neatly packed boxes of cupcakes.

Leo Mancini leaned against the front desk, talking to the desk clerk. His face lit up when he spotted Meg.

“Keep him busy,” Anna whispered and nudged her forward.

Anna placed a box of cupcakes on the front counter and went in search of Teddy Fowler. She hoped Meg would keep Leo engaged for a while.

Anna deposited two boxes of cupcakes in the tiny break room and began knocking on doors.

“Cherry cupcakes in the break room,” she sang out.

Teddy Fowler looked up from a stack of papers he was studying and smiled at Anna.

“Only a fool can say no to your cupcakes, Mrs. Butler.”

He got up from his desk and headed toward the treats.

Ten minutes later, Anna met Meg on the steps outside, looking pleased.

“You look like the cat who swallowed the canary, Grandma.”

Anna didn’t say anything until they climbed into the van and drove off. She parked outside the café a few minutes later and pulled her phone out.

Meg took one look at the pictures Anna had taken and dissolved into laughter.

“You’re a sly one.”

Unfortunately, the police files didn’t tell them anything they didn’t already know.

“What were you hoping to find?” Meg asked her.

Anna wasn’t sure. Any little clue would have helped.

“I feel we’re missing something. We’ve been so wrapped up in the drama, we are not thinking logically.”

Meg bit her lip and suggested they recap the events of the past two days.

“MJ and Angela had a fight, okay? Assuming it was MJ the neighbor woman described.”

Anna nodded and told her to continue.

“The police arrested MJ at the café. Then we found Angela dead the next morning. Grandma!”

Meg squealed and they stared at each other.

“MJ was in prison when Angela died. So she couldn’t be guilty of this crime.”

Anna put the van in gear and rushed back to the police station. Leo was walking toward his car.

“Did you forget something?”

“MJ didn’t kill Angela,” Meg panted. “She couldn’t have. She was in jail, Leo. She was locked up when Angela Hudson died.”

Leo shook his head.

“We haven’t established the time of her death. What if she died the previous evening? The neighbor claims Angela and MJ had a big fight. MJ could have gone back and finished the job.”

Anna got into the van without a word. Meg was looking crestfallen.

“Cheer up!” she consoled. “Let’s ask Rory Cunningham what he found in the autopsy.”

Chapter 24

Anna ignored the niggle in her knee and sharp spasm in her lower back and concentrated on whisking butter and sugar. She had been up at five to bake more cupcakes. Now she stood in the kitchen at the café, working on a sheet cake for someone’s office party. MJ had talked her into accepting custom orders to boost revenue. Unfortunately, she was no longer around to lend a hand.

Meg came in, bursting with cheer.

“What’s next, Grandma? The salads are done and arranged in the display case. And I also made the boxes for the hummus and pita chips.”

“Is your Mom here yet?”

Meg shook her head.

“But she sent a message. The recording session got extended. She’ll be here as soon as it’s done.”

Anna’s shoulders slumped. She really craved a steaming hot cup of coffee.

“Why don’t you take a load off? Julie and Mary just came in.”

Anna felt her eyes water. She insisted on finishing the cake first. Twenty minutes later, she finally pulled off her apron and walked out of the kitchen.

The previous day hadn’t brought anything in MJ’s favor. Rory Cunningham didn’t have any information for them when they met him at Mary’s. He held the banana cream pie close to his chest and promised to give her an update when possible. He had called in the evening with less than encouraging news. Angela’s time of death had been determined to fall in an eight hour window. MJ hadn’t been arrested at that time.

Anna greeted some of her regular customers as she made her way to the Firecrackers. Julie’s eyes were puffy and half closed.

“That child better bring my coffee soon,” she greeted Anna.

Anna waved her hand around the café.

“As you can see, we are swamped. Meg and I are doing the best we can. Cassie had to work on her film this morning.”

Mary told her to sit down.

“You look exhausted. Why didn’t you ask me to come lend a hand?”

“We have to get used to this. What if MJ never gets back? I don’t know what I’ll do once the fall semester starts and Meg goes back to college.”

“You’ll hire someone else.” Julie gave a wide yawn.

Cassie swept in and made a beeline for their table.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Mom! But I’m here now.”

Meg brought their coffee, along with a plate of cupcakes. She offered to make a hummus sandwich for Cassie.

Anna gulped her coffee and then fanned her mouth when it burned her tongue.

“You need to relax, Anna.” Mary’s eyes clouded with concern. “Why don’t you note down what you are looking for in a new employee?”

“How about calling one of the cooking schools in the city?” Julie suggested. “They might have a list of alumni who are looking for a new position.”

Anna perked up at the idea.

“Are we giving up on MJ?” Cassie took a dainty bite of the sandwich Meg had just brought her. “I thought you wanted to help her, Mom?”

Anna took a careful sip of her coffee and ignored her daughter.

“You think MJ is guilty.” Julie was deadpan. “When did you come to this conclusion, Anna?”

“She can’t be completely innocent.” Anna exhaled noisily. “The evidence against her is too compelling.”

“When has that ever deterred you, Mom?” Cassie bit into a pickle spear. “Maybe Angela forced her to do something. Why would MJ then kill Angela?”

“Angela got more demanding,” Anna mused. “MJ got tired of doing her bidding.”

“So she killed Angela?” Cassie’s eyes were full of disbelief.

“What if she wanted MJ to kill Graham’s nephew?” Anna didn’t hold back. “Angela would be next in line to inherit once Dennis Myers was dead.”

“But she doesn’t get anything according to the doctor’s will,” Julie pointed out.

“Angela didn’t know that!” Anna cried.

“Graham’s granddaughter gets everything,” Mary spoke up.

“Once again,” Anna said patiently. “Angela didn’t know that. What’s more, according to her, there is no granddaughter. She should know if she had a daughter or not, right?”

Julie rubbed her eyes and groaned.

“This is all too much. I think we’re going around in circles.” She trained her eyes on Cassie. “Anna’s right. We’ve done enough. Let’s hire a new pastry chef for the café and move on.”

Cassie looked disappointed.

“What’s the matter with you people? The old Aunt Julie would urge Mom to think outside the box.”

Anna came to a decision.

“Let’s go talk to that lawyer. Who’s coming with me?”

Julie agreed to tag along.

Richard Lipman was surprised to see them but his greeting was effusive.

“How can I help you?”

Anna told him what she was up to.

“So you are trying to clear your employee of blame?” Lipman narrowed his eyes. “I can recommend a good criminal lawyer.”

“My goal is to find out who shot Graham Hudson,” Anna assured him. “If it was my employee, so be it. But so far, there is no definite proof.”

She asked him about Graham’s granddaughter.

“Jessie Taylor is Graham’s granddaughter.” Lipman sounded unequivocal. “I can confirm that.”

“Can you tell us more about her?” Anna prompted. “Where has she been all this time?”

“We have been trying to locate her for the past year or two.”

“How did Graham never meet her before?”

Lipman told them Graham had been disillusioned in his second marriage. He hadn’t got the companionship he sought and began suspecting his wife of cheating on him.

“Isn’t that what a trophy wife is supposed to do?” Julie smirked. “Squander her husband’s fortune and have an affair?”

Lipman didn’t comment on that.

“Graham began to yearn for his own flesh and blood. He hadn’t heard from Angela in several years. That’s when we began the process of trying to find her.”

“We?” Anna asked. “You mean you and Graham?”

Lipman shook his head. “Me and Dennis. Graham trusted him implicitly.”

Anna urged him to go on. She was eager to know how Angela had reacted when Graham extended an olive branch.

“The investigator we hired used her social security number. He couldn’t get a valid address for her but he discovered she had given birth to a daughter several years ago.”

“And Graham didn’t know that?” Anna gasped.

“He had no idea,” Lipman confirmed. “Graham was ecstatic. The idea of having a grandchild who might be happy to learn about him brought a new spring in his step. He spared no resources in trying to find her.”

“Did he plan to divorce his wife?” Julie piped up. “Or was he just going to ignore her extracurricular activities?”

“My guess is he was thinking about it.” Lipman grew sober. “Graham took her on vacation to some South American country. Maybe he was making a last ditch effort to patch up with her.”

A tragic accident had taken her life. Graham came back a widower and retreated in his shell.

“He felt guilty,” Julie surmised. “Must have blamed himself for taking her there.”

Lipman told them Graham had mourned his wife’s loss. There was no consoling him. The next few months were a dark period in the doctor’s life. Then the investigator struck pay dirt.

“He found the granddaughter,” Anna smiled.

“It was the first bit of good news Graham had received in a while,” Lipman confirmed. “He got a new lease on life.”

Graham had plunged into preparing for his granddaughter’s arrival. He wanted to give her a grand welcome.

Anna told him about the cake he had ordered for her birthday party. Graham had been on cloud nine on Founder’s Day.

“You know the rest.” Lipman gave a tiny shrug. “It was a sad end to a good man’s life.”

Anna thanked him and walked out of his office into the sunlight, wondering what she had learned.

“We’re no closer to solving this puzzle,” she told Julie. “All we had was a good gossip session.”

“Every bit of information helps, I suppose.” Julie was stoic.

She proposed going to the Tipsy Whale for lunch.

Anna called the café to check on Cassie and Meg. They assured her they had everything under control.

“Let’s go,” she nodded at Julie. “The girls will be fine as long as I bring them the day’s special.”

Murphy, the pub owner, waved a greeting and pointed at an empty booth by the window. Lobster rolls were on the menu and Anna ordered two for the table and two to go, knowing they wouldn’t last long.

Sally Davis came to their table just as she opened her mouth to take a bite.

“Agnes changed sides again.”

Anna chewed the excellent roll and listened to Sally’s rant. Apparently, Lara had won over the grouchy old woman by getting her a gift.

“You heard her. Agnes wants us to stop looking for the missing money. It’s barely a fraction of what we collected and we reached our fund raising goal, thanks to Dr. Hudson’s generosity.”

“I’ll do whatever you tell me.” Anna gave a slight shrug and picked up a potato chip.

“The Garden Committee is split in two,” Sally sighed. “Some of us want you to keep looking into Lara Crawford.”

Chapter 25

Anna went home after lunch. Julie stopped at the café on their way and waited for Meg to come out and collect the sandwiches.

“Mom’s gone out on a secret mission.”

“Alone?” Anna tensed. “Call me as soon as she gets back.”

Julie noticed her anxiety and told her to calm down.

“Two people have died.” Anna’s voice was shrill. “I hope she stays safe.”

Julie offered to stay with Anna for some time but she insisted she was alright.

“Come over later, for dinner. I’ll cook something nice.”

Anna went into her garden and sat in the rose arbor. Their mild yet heady perfume mingled with the sweet scent of basil that flourished along a wall. She decided to make pesto.

An hour later, she stared at the half dozen containers of pesto sitting on the kitchen counter. There was a jar for all her friends and there was plenty of basil left in the garden. The frantic activity finally caught up with her and she decided to take a nap.

Two hours later, she bustled around in the kitchen, cooking an elaborate dinner. The sky was swathed in crimson and peach and a spectacular sunset was in the offing. Cassie and Meg had come in when she was asleep and she was glad they were home safe.

The kitchen door burst open and Julie arrived, clutching a bottle of wine.

“It’s Mystic Hill,” she assured Anna. “I know you don’t drink anything else nowadays.”

“Not true. We always order other brands when we go out so Gino can check out the competition.”

“How is he?” Julie observed her slyly. “Is he coming for dinner?”

Anna turned her back on Julie.

“Gino’s a busy man. He’s trying to line up some new clients before the harvest.”

Julie sniffed at a piece of lettuce and tore it in two.

“I’m not buying that.”

“He doesn’t need an invite.” Anna sighed deeply. “I hope you’re hungry. I made chicken parmesan and spaghetti with pesto.”

Meg breezed in and began setting the table. Anna told her to get some flowers from the garden and arrange them in a vase.

Cassie squealed in delight when she saw the chicken in the skillet.

“Chicken parmesan! Thanks Mom.”

She tossed the salad and pulled the bread out of the oven. Ten minutes later, they started on the delicious meal.

“Pesto’s yum, Grandma.” Meg gave her a thumbs up.

Anna waited patiently until everyone had taken a second helping. Then she couldn’t hold back.

“Where did you go today, Cassie?”

“You first, Mom. Tell us about your meeting with Lipman.”

By the time Anna and Julie took turns telling them about their conversation with the lawyer, it was time for dessert.

Anna brought out the tiramisu and cut generous slices for everyone.

“I met MJ,” Cassie confessed, taking a big bite. “I was very safe at the police station so you didn’t have to worry.”

Anna grumbled about not being kept in the loop. But her curiosity won and she didn’t dwell on it.

“Did you learn anything new?”

“MJ insists she never touched Graham Hudson. She was very emphatic, Mom.”

Anna sensed a but coming. Cassie gave a tiny shrug.

“She admits Angela was blackmailing her.”

“Aha!” Julie slapped her hand on the table. “So she’s ready to reveal the truth now.”

Cassie told them MJ wasn’t very clear about the reason for the blackmail. All she could glean was that Angela held some incriminating picture that showed MJ in a less than stellar light. It was from the time they had spent a couple of nights in some transition house.

“Let’s assume the cause of the blackmail is not relevant,” Anna said. “What did Angela want? More drugs?”

Cassie didn’t answer immediately.

“Angela wanted MJ to get her a gun.”

“What?” Anna and Julie cried at once. “So MJ did own a gun?” Anna asked.

Cassie shook her head.

“Apparently, MJ knows people who have access to guns. Angela just wanted her to procure a weapon.”

“This doesn’t look well for MJ,” Anna muttered.

“Hold on a bit, Anna.” Julie patted her knee and turned toward Cassie. “Why did Angela want a gun though?”

“MJ asked her that,” Cassie replied. “Angela swore she just wanted to threaten Dennis Myers. She hoped he would agree to give her an allowance.”

“Anything to feed her drug habit,” Meg murmured.

Anna was thinking about MJ.

“So did MJ ever talk to anyone about getting hold of this gun?” Anna didn’t hide her worry. “This is important, Cassie. If she did, it’s going to be very hard to prove her innocence.”

“She didn’t, Mom. I don’t think she’s lying about this.”

Anna was trying to work everything out in her head.

“So what? Angela shot Graham and planted the gun in MJ’s apartment?”

“In that case, who killed Angela and why?” Julie countered.

Anna reminded everyone what they had learned about Angela.

“She’s been an addict for many years and was blackmailing a lot of people, right? So we can safely assume she made a lot of enemies.”

“You mean a lot of people had a motive to get Angela out of the way?” Cassie agreed.

Anna nodded eagerly.

“We just need to find out who shot Graham Hudson. Once we prove MJ wasn’t involved in that crime, it will be easier to establish she had no hand in Angela’s death.”

“You mean we should focus on the first death,” Julie nodded. “Haven’t we been doing that all this time?”

Anna suddenly remembered how MJ had landed in jail.

“Did you ever find out who called in that anonymous tip?” she asked Cassie.

“No dice, Mom. I talked to Teddy Fowler and Leo. They don’t know anything about it.”

Anna stood up and began collecting their empty plates. Meg followed her into the kitchen to do the dishes. Anna started a pot of coffee, trying to make sense of the different theories floating around in her head.

“Have you heard from that young man lately?” she asked Meg.

“He’s not going to call from Europe, Grandma. We both agreed it didn’t make sense.”

“Are you two taking a break?” Anna fought a smile. “I saw it on TV. It’s quite common, it seems.”

“Something like that,” Meg shrugged.

Anna tried to hide her relief. She and Cassie both agreed that Meg was too young to get serious about anyone, even Leo.

“Have you decided on your major yet?”

Meg told her she was considering communications and marketing.

“I’m definitely going to minor in history. It’s my way of honoring Grandpa’s memory.”

Anna hugged her close.

“Oh honey! He would never want you to do anything against your will.”

“But I’m not, Grandma.” Meg arranged the coffee mugs on a tray. “Professor Macdonald likes the work I’m doing for him. He let me enroll in his course.”

“That’s wonderful.” Anna’s eyes shone. “I never doubted you would get in.”

Meg’s eyes clouded with doubt. “You don’t think he let me in just because I’m a Butler?”

“He made you work for it,” Anna reminded her. “Didn’t he?”

Meg laughed readily. “I slogged hard to get in.”

They walked into the living room with the coffee.

“What if Angela did shoot Graham?” Anna voiced what she had been thinking. “Since she was looking for a gun, we can assume she had violence on the agenda.”

Julie and Cassie both ruled her out.

“She had been estranged from him for twenty years, give or take,” Julie added. “Why would she decide to kill him now?”

“They weren’t even on talking terms,” Meg joined in. “I think the only reason Angela came here is to gather her inheritance.”

Anna stirred her coffee.

“Where does that leave us?” She bit her lip and gave a shrug. “Graham trusted Dennis Myers and Dennis only gets an allowance. It’s a pittance compared to the value of the estate.”

“And Graham’s granddaughter just arrived on the scene,” Cassie sighed. “What are we missing, Mom?”

“Compared to these people, MJ had absolutely no connection to Graham Hudson,” Julie pointed out.

Anna sat up suddenly.

“Wait a minute.”

She thought back to the Founder’s Day festival. She had been about to introduce MJ to Graham but MJ had greeted him in a familiar way. Graham had returned the greeting.

“I completely forgot about this. MJ and Graham Hudson knew each other, remember?”

Chapter 26

Cassie ran along the Coastal Walk, enjoying the crisp morning air. She had a video call with Bobby later that morning to check on her progress.

Teddy Fowler greeted her at the resort end.

“I’m running an extra loop.”

She ran to the other end of the walk to Paradise Beach and doubled back. Teddy was waiting for her.

“Aren’t you late for work?”

Cassie collapsed on the bench and tried to catch her breath.

“I pulled a double yesterday. The chief told me to take my time this morning. Kids have a cold and they are really cranky.”

“You don’t know how lucky you are.” Cassie leaned back and closed her eyes.

She had missed all the major milestones with Meg. She didn’t know what it was like to have a sick child at home.

Teddy sensed the direction of her thoughts.

“How’s Meg?”

“Taking surfing lessons.” Cassie swelled with pride. “She won’t let us watch. Says she’s not good enough.”

For a change, neither of them mentioned MJ or Graham Hudson. Cassie jogged home, eager to speak to Bobby.

Anna was making pancakes for Meg.

“I poached two eggs for you.”

“Thanks, Mom. Any luck with tracking down Mickey Miranda?”

Anna told her what Meg had discovered about the man.

“I can’t believe he saved five million doing a 9 to 5 job.”

“He could have taken a loan.”

“This sudden influx of wealth is fishy. What if he was the one who wrote those threatening letters?”

“What are you saying, Mom?” Cassie cried. “You think he stole that artifact himself?”

“And used it to find the Blue Hill treasure,” Anna finished.

Cassie thought it sounded a bit fantastic. She barely made it to her room before her phone rang.

“Showtime!” Bobby wagged a finger at her. “This is the moment of truth, sweetie.”

Neither of them was surprised to discover that Cassie hadn’t lost a single pound.

“At least you didn’t gain any weight.” Bobby was stoic. “I know how hard it must be with Anna’s cooking.”

They both agreed Cassie had better muscle tone. Bobby gave her an exercise routine for the next week and promised to check in more often. He wanted her to go visit him in Los Angeles.

“Let’s do a 2 week boot camp right before your screen test.”

Cassie agreed readily. She really wanted the superhero role.

Bobby signed off to meet a client and Cassie took a quick shower. Anna and Meg were eating in the kitchen.

“Poached eggs, grilled mushrooms and steamed spinach.” Anna set a plate before her. “Bobby’s orders.”

Meg cut a big chunk of her chocolate chip pancakes and waved them in front of her face.

“Want a bite, Mom?”

Anna drizzled hot sauce on her avocado toast and giggled at Cassie’s expression.

“She’s just teasing you.”

Cassie wanted to know if Anna had secured an appointment with Lara Crawford.

“Not yet. I think I will have to get creative.”

Cassie remembered something that had been at the back of her mind all night.

“Whatever happened to that nurse who worked for Graham?”

“The one whose boy died?” Meg asked.

Cassie nodded. “What was his name, Mom?”

“Steve Summers,” Anna replied. “Gino asked some of his old buddies in the city to look him up.”

“And?” Cassie and Meg both asked at the same time.

“He works at a big hospital and has a good record.” Anna sighed. “Steve was on duty the night Graham was shot dead. More than one person can vouch for him.”

“So that’s a dead end, then.” Cassie made a face.

“Unless he put out a hit on the doctor,” Meg suggested half heartedly. “But why would he do that now? Why not when his kid died or last year or next year?”

“Let’s not grasp at straws,” Anna said primly.

“I can’t stop thinking about it.” Cassie complained she had barely slept a wink.

Anna told them to relax.

“Why don’t you two get away? Divert your mind and do something fun. Go shopping at the outlets or go surfing.”

“Mom can’t surf,” Meg reminded her. “But I know what we can do.”

“Don’t you need to help Mom at the café?” Cassie asked.

Anna acknowledged she needed their help that morning. She suggested they leave for lunch and take the rest of the day off.

The café and bookstore kept them busy. Cassie took care of the cash register. Meg ran around serving the customers while Anna frosted cupcakes, assembled salads and tried her hand at making scones.

“Nobody makes them like MJ,” she scowled. “I followed her exact recipe.”

Julie and Mary arrived just before the grandmother clock at the entrance struck ten.

“The Garden Committee is getting antsy,” Mary informed her. “Any idea when you might meet Lara?”

“Her secretary keeps brushing me off.” Anna sounded halfhearted even to herself.

Julie caught on to her.

“Are you avoiding this? The Anna I know would just storm into the mayor’s office and confront Lara.”

“You’re not wrong,” Anna conceded. “I’ve been going over this in my mind.”

She wanted to know how often Lara Crawford took a vacation.

“She travels a lot,” Mary nodded. “But it’s not like she tells us where she goes or why.”

“Agnes mentioned she has a vacation home in the Caribbean. How often does she go there? Once in a year or whenever she wants?”

“What’s your point?” Julie asked, tapping her fingers on the table. “You need to hire some help, Anna.”

Meg brought their coffee and apologized.

“We’re out of cupcakes and cookies. Sorry ladies. Shall I bring the scones Grandma baked?”

Julie and Mary hurriedly declined.

“Let me talk to the other women,” Mary proposed. “I’m sure someone will know when Lara goes to the islands.”

Anna told them she was trying to determine a pattern. She wasn’t very sure what it meant though.

“We can try and make sense of it later,” she told Julie.

“What does Gino think about this?”

Anna ignored the question and told them about the girls taking the day off.

“Why don’t we all go?” she suggested suddenly. “We could use a change.”

Julie thought it would be more prudent if they took turns.

Cassie and Meg headed out some time later.

“Where are we going?” Cassie asked after she merged on the highway.

“Blueberry Falls!” Meg beamed. “To their annual blueberry festival.”

“And that’s happening today?”

Meg had learned about it through some friends. The neighboring town hosted the festival for a week every summer.

“The cobbler is to die for!”

Cassie was relieved they weren’t driving to the city. She turned off the highway ten miles later and followed directions to the festival. Cassie parked her car in a large ground allocated for the purpose. She and Meg set off toward the center of town.

Blueberry Falls was similar to Dolphin Bay. It had a circular Main Street with a garden running through the center. Cassie would never admit the whole town was a bit more polished and elegant than her hometown.

Meg squealed with excitement when they spotted the marquees. A Ferris wheel was doing brisk business. Cassie spotted a gypsy’s tent where you could have your fortune told. A woman sold tie dyed clothes and a whole pig revolved on a roasting spit. Two big marquees were entirely devoted to food stalls.

“There’s the cobbler,” Meg pointed.

“How about some real food first?” Cassie pointed at a man selling funnel cakes and grinned.

They agreed to eat before browsing through all the stalls. Cassie told Meg to grab a table for them while she bought the food. A few minutes later, she looked around for Meg, clutching a tray loaded with pulled pork sandwiches, funnel cakes, corn dogs, fried pickles and jalapeno poppers.

“I hope you’re hungry, kid.”

Meg told her to sit down, her manner furtive.

“Don’t turn around,” she whispered, causing Cassie to whip her head around her. “Mom! I said don’t look back.”

Cassie picked up a corn dog and dunked it in the small tub of ketchup.

“What’s up? Spotted someone handsome?”

Meg leaned closer.

“There’s a scary man over there, with long hair and tattoos all over his arm. I think he looks like that biker who ran us off the road.”

“Don’t be silly,” Cassie dismissed and took a bite. “All bikers look like that. It’s like they have a dress code or something.”

Meg wasn’t ready to give up.

“Mom, that face is burnt into my memory. I think it’s the same guy.”

Cassie dropped her bag on the ground and bent to pick it up. She turned around to humor Meg and got the shock of her life.

“He does look familiar, Meg.” She rapidly ate a couple of jalapeno poppers, urging Meg to try some. “But that’s not all. That woman with him is none other than Jessie Taylor.”

“Graham’s granddaughter?” Meg’s mouth dropped open.

“The one and only.”

“But how do they know each other?”

“That, my dear, is a very good question.” Cassie tried the pork. “We can think about it while we savor this excellent meal.”

“You don’t think Jessie hired that biker dude to shoot Graham? But he was so eager to meet her.”

Cassie pointed a fork at Meg and gave her an ultimatum.

“We are not leaving without trying the cobbler.”

Chapter 27

The day started out with a drizzle. Anna sat in bed, watching the rain through her window. She felt like she was juggling too many balls in the air.

Meg peeped in to see if she was awake.

“Cheese omelet for breakfast?”

Anna yawned deeply and gave a tiny shrug.

“What’s the matter, Grandma?” Meg came in and sat near her feet. “I was going to surprise you while we ate but I think you need something to cheer you up.”

“Can you get to the point?” Anna sighed. “I don’t have the energy for any more riddles.”

“We’re going on a road trip.” Meg was excited. “You’re going to like this one.”

Anna wasn’t in the mood to go shopping. Meg promised they wouldn’t enter a single store. She refused to say anything beyond that.

Cassie looked surprised when Meg asked to borrow the Mercedes.

“I can’t go with you today.”

Meg told her that wouldn’t be a problem.

They set off after breakfast. Anna finally broke the silence when they crossed the exit to Blueberry Falls and drove further north.

“Are we going to the city?”

Meg giggled but said nothing and Anna decided to humor her. They turned off the highway half an hour later and Meg followed signs to the local library in another town.

The library was located at the end of a winding drive bordered with towering pines. Meg scrambled out of the car and told Anna to hurry.

“We can look around later.”

A big sign at the entrance welcomed the speaker and an arrow pointed them in the right direction. The talk had just begun when they sneaked into a dark room and took their seats.

Mickey Miranda was a seasoned orator. He kept the audience entertained with various anecdotes, making sure they still learned something. Anna found herself nodding and smiling even though her mind was busy thinking ahead.

The talk ended forty minutes later. The library had arranged coffee and some local volunteers had brought cookies. Mickey Miranda wasn’t stingy with his time. Anna and Meg waited patiently, letting him work his way through most of the assembled people. Anna nudged Meg forward after some time. Mickey greeted them with a wide smile.

“I saw you doze off, young lady,” he boomed.

“You’re kidding! I listened to every word.” Anna smiled coyly. “John was right about you.”

Mickey Miranda had known John Butler. He asked Anna why she had travelled a hundred odd miles to listen to a boring lecture on carbon dating.

“This is my granddaughter Meg. She’s trying to decide her major. I thought an introduction to archaeology wouldn’t go amiss.”

“Does she have the bug?” Mickey’s eyes twinkled. “I really admired your husband for his perseverance.”

Anna thought he sounded sincere.

“You know about Blue Hill?”

“I was secretly rooting for John, Mrs. Butler. A treasure like that would have been the greatest find of the 21st century.”

“You think my grandpa was on the right track?” Meg’s eyes were full of wonder.

He told them John had been very close.

“I don’t know how much he shared with you,” he told Anna. “We were in the process of testing something his team found. Initial reports were highly promising.”

“Did you ever finish testing it?” Anna asked him point blank.

Mickey’s eyes darkened. His face flooded with embarrassment.

“Sadly, no. That little artifact they found was stolen from the lab.”

Anna let out a gasp, unable to hide her shock. She told him about the little reunion she had recently had for John’s students.

“None of them know what happened because they never heard back from you.”

Mickey stared at the floor for a minute, his mouth set in a pout.

“I worked at that lab for twenty five years. We never lost a pin. Not on my watch. It was a low spot in my career, to be honest.”

“So you kept quiet about the theft?” Meg’s mouth twisted in a grimace.

Mickey lifted a shoulder in a shrug.

“John had recently passed. Nobody followed up with us for a while. One of the students involved got in touch with us later but I fended him off with some excuses. Then they stopped asking.”

The lab took advantage of the situation and ordered everyone involved to forget about it. Mickey had left his job soon after.

“I always wondered about it.”

“The timing was a bit convenient, don’t you think?” Anna confronted him. “You won the lottery around the same time John’s artifact was stolen.”

Mickey threw back his head and laughed. His sapphire eyes twinkled with mirth as he took in Meg and Anna’s astonished faces.

“Is that what they are calling it? I admit I got lucky, Mrs. Butler. But it’s not what you think.”

Mickey Miranda had found love.

“Never expected it, not at my age, but she came and swept me off my feet.”

Mickey’s wife was a blue blooded easterner worth billions. She had come to San Francisco for an art exhibition, in pursuit of a Turner she had wanted for a long time. It was love at first sight for the both of them. Mickey confided the painting now hung in their bedroom, a sweet reminder of how they had met.

“We’ve taken up a lot of your time,” Anna told him. “You have an open invitation to my café if you ever come south to Dolphin Bay. Cupcakes are on me.”

“You run Anna’s Café?” Mickey surprised her. “One of my friends at DBU can’t stop singing your praises.”

Anna blushed readily. Meg was quiet as they said goodbye and walked out to their car.

“What now, Grandma?”

“I’m going to ask Gino to double check what he told us.”

“You mean you didn’t believe a word he said?” Meg was incredulous.

“He did sound sincere. But it’s always better to get the same information from multiple sources.”

Anna processed what she had learned while Meg typed a message to Cassie. Mickey had echoed what the woman at the lab told them about the security arrangements. Sneaking something out of the premises was almost impossible but someone had managed it. Clearly, it had been an inside job.

Anna knew what she had to do next. She needed a list of people who had worked at the lab when the artifact was stolen.

“Thanks for bringing me here, Meg.”

“You’re carrying too much on your shoulders, Grandma. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Anna hugged her tight and planted a kiss on her head. She wished John were alive to see what a fine young woman Meg had turned out to be.

Chapter 28

Anna sat in the kitchen with Cassie and Meg, having breakfast. She had been up hours ago and had already finished baking a few batches of cupcakes.

They had all turned in early the previous night and Anna was feeling well rested after a long time.

“Why did Aunt Mary call this morning?” Cassie asked.

Anna told her Mary had been busy. She had spread the word around the Garden Committee ladies, trying to find out where Lara Crawford took her vacations.

“Turns out Lara does go to the Caribbean twice every year.” Anna dashed hot sauce on her avocado toast. “She’s been doing that forever. More than one of the women confirmed it.”

“Didn’t someone say she has a vacation home there??” Meg munched her toast.

“Yeah, Mom.” Cassie glanced at her watch and tried to curb her hunger. She still had a couple of hours to go before her fast ended. “Why do you think it’s suspicious? I know some people in Hollywood who have homes scattered across the world. They go there any chance they get.”

“I think Lara might be moonlighting.” Anna gave a tiny shrug. “Don’t say it sounds farfetched. Remember how all this started? The ladies thought she was siphoning money. What better place to park it than in an offshore account?”

Meg laughed uproariously.

“Grandma! Have you been watching those heist movies?”

“Think about it,” Anna insisted. “She has a valid reason to go to the islands whenever she wants. And she has way more money than she earns from the mayor’s salary.”

Cassie pointed out that the Crawfords had always been wealthy.

“What does Gino say about this?”

Anna confessed she hadn’t discussed it with him.

“Are you still mad at him?” Cassie raised her eyebrows. “I thought you had made up.”

“What you have is too special,” Meg added. “Gino would never put us in danger, Grandma.”

Anna didn’t respond for a minute.

“He still hasn’t told me about MJ’s past. Keeps saying it’s not his story to tell.”

“Why don’t you confront MJ?” Cassie suggested.

Anna expected the girl to come to her. “Maybe she will, when she gets out of prison.”

Meg and Cassie brought up the blueberry festival.

“How about going to meet Dennis Myers, Mom? We can ask him about Jessie Taylor.”

Anna wasn’t sure he would be very forthcoming. He hadn’t seemed concerned about what happened to his uncle.

“No prior notice though,” she warned. “Let’s not give him a chance to cook up a story.”

Cassie had a workout session with Bobby that morning. Anna and Meg loaded the van and drove to the café. People had already lined up outside.

“Here you go, Ian.” Anna handed over a cappuccino and two cupcakes to the local newspaper editor. “Have your contacts come up with anything new?”

Ian shook his head. He was depending on her to solve the case.

“We are doing a human interest story on Graham Hudson. Hopefully, his descendants will keep the trust going.”

“Did Dennis Myers say otherwise?” Anna’s eyebrows shot up.

“I don’t think it’s up to him. He’s just a hired lackey now, remember?”

Anna and Meg stayed busy serving the customers. Cassie arrived as promised, followed by the Firecrackers. Meg brought coffee while Anna explained what they were planning to do.

Julie offered to stay back and help Meg. Anna and Cassie set off to meet Graham’s nephew.

Mrs. Jones answered the door and looked astonished to see them. But she surprised Anna by offering a hint of a smile.

“Does he know you’re coming?”

Anna and Cassie followed her down the hall into a home office. Dennis Myers looked up from his desk and frowned for a split second. His face stretched into a smile right away.

“This is a surprise.”

He dispatched the housekeeper to get coffee.

“You might have heard,” Anna began. “My granddaughter was given up for adoption at birth. I had never imagined we would meet her again.”

Dennis crossed his legs and looked distracted.

“Mom’s thinking of starting a website,” Cassie explained. “We want to help foster kids reunite with their birth parents. We are here for advice.”

“I don’t know how I can help.”

“You found Jessie.” Anna waved her arms expansively. “You made Graham very happy in his last days.”

“Mr. Lipman told us you had hired a private investigator to track down Angela and her child.” Cassie wondered where Jessie Taylor was that morning.

Mrs. Jones came in carrying a tray of coffee. She pointed at a plate of cookies and urged Anna to try them.

“I would like your expert opinion.”

Anna tasted the crumbly cookie and didn’t mention it was too salty.

“These are lovely.”

“My uncle spent most of his life helping others.” Dennis picked up his cup. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t very happy in his personal life.”

Anna asked if he was referring to Graham’s dead wife.

“Uncle Graham tried to love Paula but they were just too different. Personally, I think she married him for his money.”

“She was a gold digger?” Cassie asked.

“Uncle never said that. He was too nice.” Dennis ignored the cookies. “But they weren’t happy. That trip to South America was a last ditch effort.”

“But Paula died,” Cassie said gently.

Dennis gave a deep sigh.

“Uncle grew more depressed. That’s when I thought of trying to track down my cousin. One thing led to another and the investigator brought the best news possible.”

“Why did Angela say she didn’t have a daughter?” Anna pretended to be casual.

“Angela was always a junkie. Jessie’s adoptive parents knew her mother was a drug addict. They didn’t want her influence on their child. So they told her that the girl got sick and died.”

“Is that legal?” Cassie was alarmed.

Dennis gave a shrug.

“I guess not. But who was complaining? All Angela wanted from those people was money for her next fix. She never cared about her child.”

Anna forced herself to take another sip of coffee and wondered if she could give Mrs. Jones a few tips.

“Where did you find Jessie?” she asked Dennis. “Was she in California? Or did she have to move from one foster home to another like our Meg?”

Dennis scratched his head and told them he wasn’t sure.

“What is the name of this investigator you hired?” Anna asked. “He could be a very good resource for our website. People can hire him if they want.”

“Maybe you can give him a testimonial?” Cassie suggested.

Dennis shuffled some papers on his desk and pretended he was busy.

“I don’t remember. Lipman handled everything, you see.”

Anna sensed Dennis had clammed up. She didn’t expect him to volunteer any more information.

“Can you excuse me?” Dennis flashed one of his charming smiles. “I have a business call in twenty minutes.”

Anna thanked him and told him to come to the café any time.

“Bring Jessie along with you. It will be lovely to get to know her.”

Cassie followed her out of the room. Dennis shut the door behind them. Mrs. Jones was nowhere to be seen.

Anna took her time walking to the front door. She had really hoped to run into Jessie Taylor. Her wish was granted when the front door flew open and a petite young woman teetered in on four inch high heels.

She greeted them effusively. “You must be Anna. Dennis told me how kind you are.” She thanked her for trying to figure out who had shot Graham Hudson. “I wish I had gotten here sooner. I was so looking forward to meeting him.”

Anna told her about the big birthday bash Graham had been planning for her.

“You made him very happy in his last few days.”

Jessie’s amber eyes grew moist and Anna patted her arm. “It’s a miracle that investigator found you, Jessie. There are hundreds of adopted kids out there, trying to get in touch with their birth parents.”

Jessie admitted her wildest dream had come true when the investigator came looking for her.

“Did you grow up in California?” Cassie asked curiously. “My own daughter was in the Midwest.”

Jessie mentioned a town near the state border, north of Dolphin Bay. She had spent most of her life there, little knowing her actual family lived just a couple of hours away. Her job had taken her to the east coast and she had ended up in Florida.

“At least you’re here now,” Anna soothed. “Graham’s own flesh and blood can handle the Hudson Trust.”

Jessie thanked them and urged them to keep in touch.

“So you lived in a small town just like this one, huh?” Cassie turned around from the door. “Is that where you met your biker friend?”

“Oh yeah.” Jessie looked startled. “Sure.”

“Did you see that?” Cassie hissed after they climbed into the car.

Anna admitted Jessie’s reaction had been suspicious.

“If this is the same biker who punched Graham, what was she doing with him?”

Chapter 29

Anna buzzed with excitement as she entered the China Garden restaurant. Jessie Taylor had set off some alarms in her head. All she could tell was something wasn’t right about her.

Gino sat on the private patio with Julie and Mary. Anna hadn’t expected to see him there.

“I called him.” Julie gave Anna a meaningful look, one that told her to be nice. “I could sense you girls found something.”

Cassie picked up a menu and glanced at it halfheartedly.

“Mom thinks we’re getting close. It’s just a hunch.”

“We did get Jessie to admit she knew that biker,” Anna reminded her. “That’s something.”

“Your mother has good instincts,” Gino spoke up. “I’ve often nabbed criminals based on a strong hunch.”

Julie had ordered for all of them. The food arrived and Anna dug into her favorite orange chicken. Cassie tackled her chicken soup and steamed vegetables with gusto.

“The Garden Committee meets tonight,” Mary informed them. “We are voting about Lara Crawford. You know Agnes is in favor of dropping the investigation into the Founder’s Day funds.”

“So you just have a few hours to get some solid evidence,” Julie nagged Anna. “Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers.”

“I had a crazy thought,” Anna confessed.

Gino hadn’t been aware of her progress. He wanted to know what she had done for the Garden Committee. Anna brought him up to speed.

“Wait a minute … so Lara Crawford goes to the Caribbean on a fixed schedule. And how long has she been doing this?”

“Several years,” Julie informed him. “Fishy, isn’t it?”

Anna voiced her wild guess.

“Do you think she has an offshore account?”

“It’s not farfetched, Anna.” Gino paused before taking a bite. “The Crawfords could have opened it several decades ago.”

“You mean her father or her grandfather did it?” Julie asked.

Gino told them it could have been a way of distributing their assets.

“So she’s not hiding it, you mean.” Anna was disappointed.

“Could be either,” Gino explained. “Why don’t you and I go talk to her?”

Julie laughed wholeheartedly.

“Let’s see how she reacts to a little intimidation.”

Anna brought up MJ.

“Has anyone talked to Leo or Teddy Fowler today?”

“Time’s running out for her, Anna.” Gino sighed deeply. “The police are gathering evidence against her and pretty soon they will have enough to pin the crime on her.”

“You know something I don’t.” Anna narrowed her eyes. “MJ may not have shot Graham Hudson or hurt Angela, but she’s involved in all this somehow. Isn’t she?”

“She’s had a hard life. People in her situation don’t always have a choice, Anna.”

“You mean she had to do something bad to protect herself,” Cassie said softly. “I thought that just happened in the movies.”

Gino didn’t respond. He wanted to know if they had learned anything new from Dennis Myers.

Anna talked about their visit to the Hudson house. Julie asked her more questions about their run in with Jessie.

“So she admitted she knew the biker. But are we sure this is the same guy who tried to run us down?”

They looked at Cassie for confirmation.

“Meg and I noticed the clothes and the tattoos but we didn’t really see his face.”

“What if we take this biker out of the equation?” Mary asked.

Anna told them Dennis Myers had been very evasive.

“I’m not sure I trust him, girls. He couldn’t give us any details about how he tracked down Jessie.”

Julie pushed her plate away and leaned forward meaningfully.

“You think Dennis Myers brought in an impostor? There, I said it.”

Anna squirmed in her seat and gave a tiny shrug.

“Or the lawyer did.”

“Lipman?” Gino stood up. “Let’s go see him now.”

Anna told him to summon his police chief persona to make the lawyer talk.

“I can’t use any intimidation,” he protested. “It’s against the law.”

“Just look tough.” Anna patted his arm. “He’ll sing like a canary.”

The group split up and Anna drove to the lawyer’s office with Gino. Richard Lipman looked surprised to see them.

“Dare I hope you have come to hire me for my services?” he joked.

“That depends,” Anna replied sternly. “Do they include supplying fake heirs to rich old people?”

Gino folded his arms and glared at him.

“How much is Dennis Myers paying you, Lipman?”

“For what?” the lawyer looked bewildered. “Graham paid me a generous retainer two years ago. It’s been enough to cover all my fees.”

Anna felt deflated. Suddenly, she wasn’t sure Lipman was lying.

Gino asked him to explain how he had located Jessie Taylor. Lipman didn’t hesitate. He provided all the details they needed, including the name and contact information of the private investigator he had hired.

“Here are the invoices he charged us and the payments we made. It was all above board. I made sure of it.”

Gino reminded him how Angela had insisted she didn’t have a daughter.

“I’m bound by a code of ethics.” Lipman was emphatic. “Angela did give birth to a daughter. That much is certain.”

He rifled through the file he had given Gino and pulled out a copy of a birth certificate. Angela had been arrested when the child was a few months old.

“And your private investigator made sure that Jessie Taylor is this same child?” Gino asked.

Lipman bobbed his head. They had verified every detail possible.

“Of course, the paper trail was just a formality. Graham always intended to get a DNA test when the girl got here. It was just plain common sense.”

Anna’s eyes met Gino’s. There would be no test now since Graham was dead and so was Angela.

They thanked the lawyer for his cooperation and walked out into a stiff breeze. The sky had turned gray while they were inside. Anna’s skirt flapped against her knees and her hair blew into her eyes.

Gino shielded her with his body and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Let me drop you to the police station.”

Fat drops of rain began to fall and Anna’s protests died on her lips.

She dreaded the visit but she straightened her back and hoped her faith in the poor girl wasn’t misplaced.

“This is her last chance to come clean.”

Gino told her he was going to check out the private investigator Lipman had hired.

An hour passed before Anna was allowed to meet MJ. Leo ushered her into a small interrogation room and promised her he would wait outside. She told him she had nothing to fear. Then she hoped she was right.

MJ looked gaunt and terrified. Anna noticed the dark circles under her eyes and hoped their ordeal would be over soon. She squared her shoulders and forced herself to remain calm.

“I know you’re hiding something from me, child. I can see it in your eyes.”

MJ’s eyes filled up.

“I didn’t shoot Dr. Hudson. Why would I when he was so nice to me?”

Anna’s eyes darted up.

“You met him before Founder’s Day, didn’t you? But you tried to hide it.”

MJ broke down completely.

“You remember when I had the flu? You told me I needed to see a doctor.”

Anna had literally pushed her out of the café, forcing her to go home and rest.

“Did Graham treat you? But I thought he was retired.”

MJ told her about a secret clinic Graham Hudson ran in an old barn on his property. It was for people who didn’t have medical insurance.

“He didn’t care if the patients were poor or even ex convicts like me. He just wanted to help us. People paid whatever they could afford. Many times it was nothing. He just had one rule.”

Anna could easily guess what it was.

“You’ll feel better now.” She smiled. “Gino and I might have a lead. Don’t lose hope, dear.”

“Wait!” MJ cried behind her back. “There’s more.”

Anna dreaded what she would hear next.

“There’s this guy … I met him at a support group meeting in the city a few months ago. We got coffee a couple of times and he took me to dinner.”

MJ had noticed he had a short fuse and tended to react with his fists. So she had stopped seeing him.

“Imagine my surprise when I ran into him here. He asked if I would have dinner with him again.”

MJ had taken him to the Yellow Tulip diner, hoping to avoid a scene.

“It was just after I had the flu and I was feeling grateful. I told him about the secret clinic. Corey was very interested.”

“Corey?” Anna’s voice was hoarse. “Corey Peterson? Does he drive a bike?”

“How do you know him? He’s a member of the Blazing Beavers, a notorious motorcycle gang north of the border.”

Another reason MJ had given him the cut direct.

“Did you have any idea Corey Peterson punched Dr. Hudson?” Anna sighed.

Chapter 30

Anna set a stack of chocolate chip pancakes before Meg the next morning.

“MJ knew the police would find out she met that biker, Grandma.”

Gino had said the same thing. She had barely processed MJ’s connection with Corey Peterson when she came out of the little interview room. Gino had taken her hand and almost dragged her outside.

“MJ lied!” he looked disappointed. “She was seen at the Yellow Tulip with the man who ran you down.”

“Almost ran us down,” Anna corrected him. “And she just told me about him.”

Gino listened with increasing fury as Anna told him how MJ knew Corey Peterson before she came to Dolphin Bay.

“The police are bringing him in for questioning again. We won’t be able to save MJ if he points the finger at her.”

“But why would he?” Anna frowned, trying to connect the dots.

They hoped the police would be thorough. Gino dropped her home and headed off to a meeting with his estate manager. Anna had taken a nap and taken her frustration out on a ball of dough. They had calzones for dinner and stayed in, watching an old movie.

Anna stared at her avocado toast, a bottle of hot sauce clutched in her hand. Meg stood up to get more pancakes.

“I envy your metabolism.” Cassie walked into the kitchen and began collecting fruits and vegetables for her smoothie. “I couldn’t eat like that when I was your age.”

Julie called, asking for an update. Anna told her she wasn’t holding her breath. Chances were, they would never find out what happened to Graham.

Anna and Meg loaded the van with the cupcakes she had baked that morning and set off for the café. Cassie promised to join them later.

The café was bustling with the morning crowd. Anna’s mouth dropped open as she spied the people streaming in and out.

“What’s going on here, Meg?”

A delicious, buttery aroma of warm scones fresh out of the oven greeted them inside. MJ came out of the kitchen, holding a tray of muffins.

Anna took her by the arm and dragged her back inside, Meg at her heels.

“What are you doing here?” she sputtered.

Meg just flew into the girl’s arms and hugged her tight.

“They let you go!” she crowed, her eyes shining with joy. “Does this mean you’re in the clear?”

Anna simmered down and smiled. She held her arms out to the girl.

MJ’s eyes filled up and she thanked them for standing by her.

“The police got a hot lead yesterday.” She was just happy to be free again.

Anna called Gino, only to find he had to be out of town.

“I set the ball rolling, Anna. Actually, we did. Now we have to sit back and let the police do their job.”

The day passed slowly. Meg tried to glean something from Leo and Cassie called Teddy Fowler. But neither of them divulged any information.

“Leo said it could take months.”

Julie and Mary arrived for coffee and exclaimed over MJ.

“Let’s go see the mayor, Anna,” Julie coaxed. “No time like the present.”

The rest of the morning passed in a blur. They met at the Yellow Tulip diner for lunch. Anna opted for a bowl of soup, reminding everyone they were having dinner at Mystic Hill.

“It’s sort of a celebration for MJ.”

The sun had begun its march toward the horizon when the Butlers drove to Gino’s vineyard that evening. The girls were talking about taking a small trip somewhere before summer was over.

“I’ve never been to Seattle,” Meg offered. “Or we could take a train ride across Canada.”

Anna promised them they would have fun the rest of the summer.

Gino greeted them with a hearty laugh and a hug. He put an arm around Anna and led them out on the patio, bordered by lemon and orange trees laden with fruit. A large table covered in a red checkered tablecloth was loaded with a variety of dishes. Julie and Mary were already there with MJ.

Leo poured wine for them and made sure they chose some appetizers from the big spread. Anna took in the twinkle in his eye and demanded to know what was going on.

“You tell them, Uncle.”

Gino leaned back in his chair and smiled in his mustache.

“You can rest easy now, MJ. The police arrested Graham Hudson’s killers.”

Anna almost dropped her wine glass.

“Say that again!”

She would never have guessed the story that unfolded.

Gino told them that the basis of good police work was double checking everything. Angela Hudson had maintained her daughter was dead. Dennis Myers told them Jessie’s adoptive parents had falsely declared her dead so Angela wouldn’t bother them.

“I called in a favor and asked one of my contacts to go visit them. And what do you know? Angela’s daughter died when she was six.”

“So who is Jessie Taylor?” Julie burst out. “Obviously not Angela’s daughter.”

“She got the name right,” Gino sighed. “Although that was by design, of course.”

Anna admitted she had always wanted to believe Angela.

“She didn’t have any motive to say the girl was dead. And I don’t care if she was drugged or sober, no mother would say her child was gone if there was even a tiny chance she was alive.”

Cassie told them all to be quiet and urged Gino to continue his story.

Several things had happened at once.

“While my buddy was checking up on Angela’s daughter, the police brought in Corey Peterson for questioning.”

Graham’s trophy wife Paula was Corey’s sister.

“We know he blamed Graham for his sister’s death,” Anna dismissed. “But it was an accident.”

Corey knew Paula wasn’t happy in her marriage. He was in prison when the Hudsons took the trip to South America.

“He never stopped mourning his sister. Then he ran into MJ and heard her sing Graham’s praises.”

Corey had stuck around and picked a fight with Graham. Punching the old man was just his way of letting off steam. It wasn’t going to bring his sister back.

“I might have done the same,” Cassie reasoned. “At least in my head.”

MJ wanted to know why the police had let her go.

“Corey admitted he ran into you by chance,” Leo told her. “And the investigation took a different turn when Uncle told us Jessie was an impostor.”

Meg picked up another crab puff and cleared her throat to get attention.

“Corey must have known Jessie. We saw them at the blueberry festival, remember?”

Gino glanced at Leo.

“He knows her well. Jessie is Corey Peterson’s sister.”

“So he had two sisters?” Anna nodded.

Gino didn’t answer immediately. Leo took up the story.

“Actually, he only had one.”

There was a stunned silence. Julie was the first to speak up.

“You’re not making any sense, young man.”

“Jessie Taylor is none other than Paula Hudson,” Leo replied.

Everyone started talking at once. Gino banged on the table and told them to be patient.

“It was a devious plan, almost fool proof. And it might have worked too.”

Paula Peterson grew up in a small town on the Oregon border. She had always longed for a life of luxury. She played her cards right and managed to snag a wealthy older man.

“Did she ever love Graham?” Meg seemed disillusioned.

“She might have, in the beginning,” Gino shrugged. “Graham was a busy doctor who had no time for her. But he showered her with expensive gifts and fancy vacations. They had a glitzy social life and Paula basked in the attention she received. But the novelty wore off after a while. Then Graham took early retirement and moved to Dolphin Bay. Paula’s whole lifestyle collapsed.”

“She must’ve been bored out of her life,” Cassie nodded.

Paula had met Dennis in the city. He was closer to her in age and they were on friendly terms. Then he lost his job and came to stay with his uncle. Graham offered him a job to keep him busy.

“And the inevitable happened,” Anna guessed. “Paula and Dennis had an affair.”

“They fell in love,” Leo corrected. “The happily ever after kind, but there was a problem. Neither of them had any money and thanks to Graham, they had become used to a lavish standard of living.”

“That’s when they signed Graham Hudson’s death warrant,” Gino sighed.

Anna listened with disgust as Leo continued the story.

Dennis Myers had come across his cousin Angela a few times over the years. He knew she had given birth to a daughter and also knew the child had been given for adoption and later died. Dennis took advantage of the fact that Graham was completely estranged from Angela. He told his uncle there was a child and painted a rosy future where Graham was united with her.

Forced retirement and an unhappy marriage had caused Graham to sink into a slight depression. He embraced the idea of connecting with his own flesh and blood. Meanwhile, Paula talked him into changing his will.

“That’s how he left everything to the granddaughter he had never met.” Anna couldn’t hide her shock.

“Let me guess,” Julie smirked. “Paula suggested they go on this trip to South America.”

Gino nodded. Once Graham changed his will, Paula put the next step of the plan into action. She faked her own death in an accident. Long story short, she got some plastic surgery to change her face and also got hold of a new identity in the name of Jessie Taylor. Then she came back here, ready to be discovered by the private investigator Lipman hired.

“Did Corey know all this?” MJ asked.

She looked as stunned as the rest of them.

“They thought he was a loose cannon so he wasn’t taken into confidence. The poor man grieved for his sister all these years.”

Leo told them Jessie hadn’t contacted her brother until Graham died.

Anna wanted to know who had actually shot Graham.

“It was Jessie,” Gino replied. “Jessie or Paula, whatever you want to call her. She flagged him down on that isolated road, acting distressed. Graham pulled up on the side of the road and lowered his window, always ready to help. Paula shot him and walked into the woods where she’d hidden her car.”

“And Angela?” MJ looked dazed.

“Angela posed a real threat,” Leo exclaimed. “A simple blood test could establish Jessie wasn’t her daughter. So she had to go.”

A drug overdose had been enough to get her out of the way.

Leo fired up the grill and Gino went into the house. The setting sun had painted the sky a pale peach when he came out, holding a platter of burger patties. Anna gazed at the rows of vines stretching down the hill, freshly pruned to ensure a good crop in the fall. A gentle tap on her shoulder made her turn around. MJ stood behind her chair, her face grave. Anna read a mixture of anticipation and despair in her eyes.

“Do you have a minute?”

Anna stood up and nodded toward a path that ran through the vines. She placed a reassuring hand on the young girl’s back.

“Shall we take a little walk?”

Epilogue

It was the perfect day for a picnic. The sun shone overhead, bright but not too hot. Frothy waves crashed against the shore. A cool breeze blew around them, loaded with the heady scent of wildflowers and salt water, a fragrance that could never be found in the most expensive perfume bottles.

Anna sipped her wine and watched Meg ride the waves in the distance, her face alight with joy. After a busy and eventful week, life was finally returning to normal and she looked forward to enjoying a lazy summer, or what was left of it.

“We should do this more often,” Julie sighed and slid lower in her beach chair. “Paradise Beach is Dolphin Bay’s best kept secret.”

“We had a lot of picnics here when the kids were little,” Mary reminded them. “Cassie loved building sand castles.”

“She still does.” Anna smiled indulgently, watching her daughter build a veritable fortress in the sand, accompanied by Gino.

Julie asked her to pass the snack mix. It was a spicy, salty, sweet mixture of caramel corn, pretzels and roasted spiced nuts and was MJ’s creation. Anna had invited her to the picnic but MJ had preferred to stay back at the café.

“I’ve already missed a lot of work, Anna.”

“So MJ’s sticking around?” Julie munched on a handful of the snack mix.

Anna nodded silently. MJ had confided in her a few days ago. Anna still shuddered when she thought of the hardship the girl had faced before she came to Dolphin Bay. Now she understood why Gino had been reticent about MJ’s past. The truth sometimes defied belief.

“Did she really go to prison?” Julie wasn’t giving up that easily.

“She was innocent.”

“Don’t they all say that?”

Anna had thought the same. But MJ’s story was the stuff of nightmares. She had just turned eighteen when she was convicted for murder. The evidence against her was circumstantial but she had drawn the short straw with a judge and prosecutor intent on putting a record number of people behind bars. MJ spent thirteen years in a maximum security prison until her luck changed. New DNA evidence had come to light in another case, completely exonerating her. She had been released and the courts offered her some meager compensation for her trouble.

MJ had lost her parents while she was behind bars. An elderly aunt advised her to channel her anger into something constructive and enrolled her into cooking school.

“It’s true in her case. The system takes time to update so the police latched on to her.”

Julie backed down and turned to Mary.

“What’s the latest with the Garden Committee?”

Mary told them Lara Crawford wasn’t going anywhere. The missing money had miraculously reappeared and Agnes had convinced the ladies it had just been a minor error in the accounts.

“I didn’t say a word, Anna, like I promised.”

Anna had finally confronted Lara Crawford in her den. She accused her of embezzling money from the town accounts and spiriting it away to the Caribbean in an offshore account. Lara had laughed in her face.

“You think I need your measly Founder’s Day money? The Crawfords built this town, in case you’ve forgotten.”

Anna stood her ground and warned her to return the money. Lara finally admitted there had been a mistake and offered her a deal. She would stop bad mouthing the Butlers and make sure the missing funds were returned. Anna had to promise to keep her secret.

“And you’re giving up, just like that!” Julie didn’t hide her disgust.

“Who says I am?” Anna smiled. “Gino dropped some hints in the right ears. Turns out Lara Crawford has been laundering money for years. We are talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. This missing Founder’s Day money was a genuine error but it might help the authorities nab her.”

Anna warned them not to breathe a word to anyone. They wanted Lara to believe she had got away with it.

“We need a new mayor.” Mary glanced at Anna. “Sally Davis is going to talk to you.”

“Me?” Anna was surprised. “I’m already too busy with the café.”

“Meg and Cassie will fly the coop soon. MJ has the café under control. How are you going to fill your time?”

“Don’t forget Gino,” Julie winked, earning her a jab in the arm. “She needs to pay attention to her man.”

Anna felt her cheeks flame. Her feelings for Gino Mancini had grown deeper over the years. She had finally realized he deserved more from her.

“I agree, Julie. I don’t know what’s holding me back.”

“John!” Mary and Julie chorused.

“He always wanted me to be happy.” Anna gazed at the endless ocean stretching before her. “I think I’m ready to move forward.”

Mary patted her arm, knowing Anna had come a long way.

“What’s the next step?” Julie’s eyes clouded with concern. “You realize you may never find out who killed John.”

“And Gino promised he would help me find closure,” Anna sighed.

She looked up to see the object of her affection sauntering toward her, a broad smile lighting up his face.

“Are you ladies gossiping about me?”

Cassie collapsed on a beach towel and stretched languorously.

“I’m starving! Can we start grilling now?”

Leo and Meg walked up, holding their surf boards. Suddenly, there was a flurry of activity as everyone wanted to eat.

Gino fired up a grill with Leo’s help and Anna handed him a box of marinated chicken. Meg began opening various containers and set them out on the gingham blanket Anna unfurled. MJ had set them up for a feast. There was pasta salad with marinated feta and olives, fruit and cheese skewers, ham and turkey rollups and guacamole with homemade chips.

The adobo marinated chicken was ready soon and Anna offered tortillas and salsa to anyone who wanted to roll it into a burrito.

“What’s for dessert?” Cassie picked up a drumstick and bit into it. “Bobby said I can eat whatever I want today.”

Cassie had won the first round of her screen test after a rigorous boot camp with Bobby. She had a month to prepare for the second round. Bobby had insisted she take her training seriously and work with him in person.

“When are you leaving?” Leo asked her.

Meg couldn’t wait for the fall semester. She had managed to secure a place in a highly coveted course and was eagerly looking forward to dipping her toes into history. She was also trying to convince Mickey Miranda to come and teach an archaeology course at DBU.

Gino balanced two loaded plates in his hand and settled in the sand next to Anna.

“That’s quite a castle you built there.”

“Do you want a tour?”

Anna looked into Gino’s warm, amber eyes and felt a familiar tug. She didn’t like keeping secrets from him. Two days ago, she had found a brief note on the stone bench in her garden, tucked under a pot. It warned her to stop looking for the stolen artifact.

Anna summoned her most coquettish smile.

“We never took that trip to Big Sur.”

Gino fed her a grape and twirled his mustache.

“How about next week?”

***

Are you ready for the grand finale of the Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery Series?

When mayor Lara Crawford comes to a violent end, Anna is not the only suspect. The Firecrackers face their biggest challenge so far. Many questions will be answered like who killed John and what happened to the Blue Hill treasure.

Get your copy of Pumpkin Ginger Bedlam here → https://amazon.com/dp/B09JYHGS8P

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Acknowledgements

Every book is a fresh entity. As an author, I enjoy crafting a new mystery for you, one that offers a genuine puzzle that will keep you guessing. Very often, I manage to confound myself while doing that. I hope you enjoy all the twists, turns and dead ends you came across while reading Cherry Lime Havoc.

A sparring partner is essential when coming up with something this complicated and I am blessed with a sibling who questions every plot point and calls me out if a solution is too easy. I believe this team effort makes my books more enjoyable.

Many thanks to all the beta readers and reviewers for checking the book out before it is released. And a big thank you to my readers for all the support and encouragement and for giving my books a chance.

I truly appreciate you.

Books by Leena Clover

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