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“Thanks for going over there with me,” said Luna as I drove away from Kelly’s house. She gave me a sideways glance. “What did you make of all that?”
I sighed. “Well, she did come right out and admit she was back over at Grace’s house. Kyle had already told me that after film club yesterday.”
Luna said, “So I guess Kyle probably told the police about Kelly. Do you think Kelly’s right? Kyle told the cops to deflect attention from himself?”
“I don’t think he said anything about it. It must have been somebody else. He was adamant he didn’t want to tell the police about Kelly returning to the party.”
“Okay. Although it really sounds like Scott cheated Kyle out of the money he deserved when he bought him out,” said Luna, frowning.
“Does that sound like Scott?”
“It sure does. He was always kind of sly with money that way. I remember back in high school, he had a reputation as a card shark. He’d play poker on the weekends and made a lot of money.”
I said, “But it sounded like Kyle wasn’t even that upset about getting the short end of the stick when Scott bought him out. It sounded like he might have been more upset over the way Scott was paying attention to Felicity.”
“Yeah. But he shouldn’t have been. It was pretty obvious to me that Scott was only doing it to get under Kelly’s skin. Every time he sat down next to Felicity or started a conversation with her, he always glanced over at Kelly to see what her reaction was.”
I said, “But maybe Kyle saw it as a betrayal. Did you remember him always having a crush on Felicity?”
Luna snorted. “Everybody knew that. For ages.”
“Except Felicity?”
“There are none so blind as those who will not see,” quoted Luna loftily.
I hesitated and then asked quietly, “Can I ask you something about Roz?”
Luna glanced over at me. “Sure.”
“Grace mentioned being worried about her drinking. She said something about Roz packing her own alcohol for the party.”
“What?” Luna snorted. “No way. Why would Grace say that?”
I shook my head. “I don’t have any idea. She seemed to believe it, though.”
“Maybe Roz just brought some extra alcohol along to contribute to the party in case Grace got low. Not that it was needed. Anyway, no, Roz didn’t have a drinking problem. Did she drink too much the night Scott died? Definitely. I saw her slug down those two glasses of champagne. But she was just blowing off steam. That definitely wasn’t a normal thing for her.”
I dropped Luna by her house and then headed home so I could do a few things before going to the library. My head was spinning and I needed to focus before work. Once I got home, Fitz came immediately over to love on me as if he could sense I needed comfort. I sat down with him and a cup of Irish breakfast tea on the sofa and softly stroked him for about thirty minutes while he purred loudly. Then I ran a brush through my hair, touched up my makeup, and Fitz and I left for the library.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a busy enough morning to distract me much from my thoughts and it seemed to be quiet in the children’s area, too. I kept busy by shelving books and putting requested books on the hold shelf. I did have one research request that kept me occupied for about forty minutes—a deep dive finding information on a patron’s mother’s medical issue—but still the minutes crept by.
At eleven o’clock, the library door swung open and I was surprised to see Grace Armstrong standing there. Well, surprised and not surprised at the same time. I hadn’t really been expecting her to drop by the library, but it made sense that she’d try to get in contact with Luna or me about Roz’s death. She’d want to find out more information about what happened and she’d have realized we were probably at work.
Wilson, who seemed to always have some sort of radar when it came to library trustees, or apparently donors, immediately popped out of his office. He straightened his already-perfectly-straight tie as he strode over.
“It’s so good to see you,” he said smoothly, holding his hand out to Grace.
She smiled at him and shook his hand.
“Ann and Luna said you received a tour the last time you were here. Would you be interested in hearing some of the ideas I have for using your kind donation?” asked Wilson.
Grace seemed to be an expert at politely bypassing things she didn’t want to do. “You know, that sounds like a great idea, but I’d like to do it another time, if that’s all right with you. I was just dropping by to see if Ann and Luna were available for lunch again.”
“Both of us?” I asked. It was already unprecedented that Luna and I had both been away from the library simultaneously for the weekend party, the lunch, and Scott’s funeral. Ordinarily, the library would want to have either the children’s librarian or me available.
A crease of irritation appeared between Wilson’s eyebrows as he looked at me. “Certainly, both of you, if that’s what Grace wants.”
I was trying to adjust to this new, alternate reality as Grace said quickly, “Of course, if it’s not convenient . . .”
“It’s more than convenient. After all, it’s been a very quiet day here at the library. Enjoy your lunch, Ann. Take as long as you need. I’ll let Luna know.” Then, straightening his tie one last, unnecessary time, he hurried off to the children’s section.
Grace chuckled. “Why do I get the feeling that you and Luna don’t usually have lunch together?”
I said dryly, “Because it’s completely unheard of, as you’ve guessed.”
“I seem to be wielding a lot of power here,” said Grace with a smile. “It wasn’t even that big of a donation.”
“It doesn’t take much,” I said. But I was aware of the size of Grace’s donation. If she didn’t think it was a large one, she was even wealthier than I’d thought.
Luna hurried toward us. “Lunch?” she breathlessly asked.
Grace’s face turned solemn. “Yes. And Luna, I’m so sorry about Roz. I wanted to check in with both of you and I figured lunch was the best way to do it. Should we go somewhere different this time?”
Remembering the huge amount of food we’d gotten last time, I nodded. I was also going to try to pay for my own meal this time. “There’s a vegan deli that’s down the street that’s really good, if you’re not familiar with it. And there’s always Quittin’ Time,” I added in a wry voice. I didn’t think Quittin’ Time was probably up Grace’s alley, but the deli might be.
As I’d expected, she immediately latched onto the idea of eating vegan. “It was actually one of my resolutions this year to try to have more veggie days. Let’s try the deli.”
I was a little worried that Luna might confront Grace about the fact she’d told me Roz was packing her own alcohol for the party. Luna read my mind and whispered, “Don’t worry. I won’t say a thing.”
I was glad that (after a few protests), Grace let Luna and me pay for our own food. I never really like to be beholden to people and was starting to get that uncomfortable feeling with Grace. I ordered a veggie burger and a side of sweet potato fries and Luna and Grace both got the portabella wrap with grilled vegetables on the side.
When we were halfway through our meal, Grace turned somber again. “Luna, once again, I’m so sorry about your cousin. Did you find out any information from the police as to what they think happened? Or who they might be looking for? It just seems completely unbelievable that this has happened again.”
Luna said, “I just know that it wasn’t an accident—that Roz was murdered. They didn’t say anything about who they were looking for. I guess most people won’t have much of an alibi since it happened in the middle of the night. We’ll all say we were asleep in our beds.”
Grace nodded. “Ironically, last night was one of the only good nights of sleep I’ve had since Scott died. I’m usually tossing and turning like crazy in my bed every night. Then, when I do sleep, I have these really awful nightmares. But last night I slept like a baby. Then I was getting ready for work when the police came by.”
Luna’s eyes were huge. “The police came by to talk to you? Why?”
“I’m guessing they’re going to talk to everyone who was at my party last weekend. And who can blame them? This isn’t exactly a town with a big crime problem. It’s normal for them to look for a connection.” Grace shook her head. “I can see somebody getting mad enough at Scott to murder him. But Roz? What on earth could anybody have had against Roz?”
We sat quietly for a few moments and I said carefully, “Like you, I have a hard time thinking someone was upset directly at Roz. I’m wondering if maybe Roz saw or heard something the night Scott died and maybe that’s the reason someone came after her.”
“What a terrible world we live in,” said Grace. “Roz didn’t say anything to me about seeing something. Did she say anything to either of you?”
I shook my head and so did Luna.
Grace sighed. “Maybe it’s one of those things where we’ll never know what really happened. That seems like a reasonable guess, though. Believe it or not, it makes me feel a little better. I hated thinking that someone—someone I knew—would do something so senseless.”
Luna said, “I wish it made me feel better. I’m still sort of numb.”
Grace gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m surprised you made it to work today. Is Wilson that bad to work for?”
Luna shook her head. “I’m sure he’d have let me take the day off. But the truth of the matter is that if I’d have stayed home with my mom, I’d have probably ended up thinking about Roz all day and feeling sad. At least at work I’m distracted. I don’t have as much time to just sit around and think. I mean, it could be busier at the library today, but it’s still better than being at home.”
Grace grimaced. “And here I am making you talk about it. Sorry, that was pretty thoughtless of me.”
“No, I don’t mind. It would be weird not to talk about it at all. It would be like I was ignoring Roz or trying to put her out of my head.” She frowned. “Anyway, I want to find out who did this. I mean, it was upsetting when Scott died at your party, Grace. But this was Roz. Did you give the police any direction at all when you talked to them? Who do you think might have done this?” asked Luna.
Grace hesitated and then said cautiously, “Well, I didn’t really tell them anything because I don’t know anything. It’s just me guessing and guessing doesn’t seem really fair. It’s like I’m pointing a finger for no real reason.”
Luna said with a touch of impatience in her voice, “But who are you thinking of when you’re making your guesses? It’s just Ann and me.”
Grace paused again and then reluctantly said, “I mentioned Kyle to them. But I felt bad doing it. I was with both of them a couple of weeks ago at lunch and Kyle blew up at Scott out of the clear blue.”
I asked, “Blew up at him?”
She nodded. “He was ranting like I’ve never heard him do before. Kyle is always so measured with everything he says and does. And Scott hasn’t always been the best friend to Kyle, but Kyle has never said a word against him. And if somebody else says something bad about Scott, Kyle always has stepped in and defended him.”
Luna said, “What kinds of things was Kyle saying?”
Grace gave a short laugh. “I was trying so hard to just disappear that I don’t think I even listened to half of it. But it was what I’d have thought he’d rant about. The fact that Scott wasn’t fair to him when he bought him out. Stuff like that. He really lost it.”
“That must have made for a really uncomfortable lunch,” I said.
Grace shrugged. “Just as soon as it started, it was over. And Kyle seemed completely deflated like there wasn’t an ounce of anger left in him anymore. It just made me wonder if maybe he was capable of lashing out at Scott again. After all, I don’t think what happened to Scott was planned, right? It was just somebody who’d had too much to drink, wasn’t thinking clearly, and got really upset with Scott. And, let’s face it: Scott was in a frame of mind to make people upset.” She shook her head. “Once again, I’m really sorry I put that group of people together. It’s amazing how well we all got on when we were young.” She laughed, a little bitterly. “You won’t believe it, but I used to have the biggest crush on Scott in high school.”
Luna said, “People change though, and not always in good ways. Scott was obviously a different person.”
Conversation switched to lighter topics then as we finished up our lunch and Grace took us back to the library.
Luna headed to the children’s section to get ready for her preschool storytime and I headed for the periodical area, remembering one thing I needed to follow up on.
When I approached Linus, he politely stood up from his armchair, carefully placing a bookmark in the biography he was reading.
I gave him a reassuring smile since he looked just slightly anxious. “Hey there, Linus. Just wanted to let you know that despite the posters and the social media posts and the things we’ve put on online lost-and-found pet forums, there has been no response. Just people asking if the dog was up for adoption.”
He breathed out slightly as if he’d been holding his breath. “She’s a sweet-looking dog,” he said. “I’m not too surprised people are wanting to adopt her. But no one is the owner?”
I shook my head. “And I think we’ve done our due diligence, especially in a town this size. Someone would have known if it was their neighbor’s pet or their friend’s. Have you heard anything from the vet?”
His eyes twinkled. “Apparently, they love her there. They’ve been keeping her with them behind the front desk and she’s been helping to greet the furry patients.”
“I think you can go ahead and let the vet know she’s welcome to do the vaccinations and to fix her,” I said. I hesitated and asked gently, “Did you have any ideas for a good home for her?”
He glanced away and then back at me. “Actually, I thought I might consider adopting her myself.”
I smiled encouragingly at him. “Luna mentioned that you seemed to have a great connection with the dog.”
He smiled tentatively back. “She reminds me very much of a favorite pet I had when I was ten years old. I loved that dog. After school, I spent all my time with her, running through the woods, playing in the creek. I’d build forts and dam up the creek to make swimming holes. It was great fun.”
I wondered again about Linus and his seemingly solitary life—it appeared he’d also been something of a loner when he was a child, too. But he’d had such a good relationship with his wife, apparently. Maybe she’d been an introvert, also.
I said, “That sounds like a great plan. Let me know how she does at the vet. Did you think of a name for her?”
“Do you think it would be odd to name her after my childhood dog?” he asked hesitantly.
“I think it would be a wonderful tribute,” I said.
“Then I’ll call her Ivy,” he said with a smile. He grew solemn for a minute. “Luna told me about the death at the house party. And about her cousin.”
Luna’s way of feeling better about things was definitely talk therapy. I tended to clam up and keep my worries to myself. I knew Luna’s way was probably a lot healthier. I nodded. “Their deaths were real tragedies.”
Linus cleared his throat and said softly, “I don’t think it was the first time they’ve encountered tragedy, either.”
“It’s not? I’m sorry—I didn’t know you knew them.”
Linus shook his head. “I didn’t. And, of course, I wasn’t living here when it happened. But I overheard Roz speaking with Luna about something that happened when Roz and her friends were teenagers.” He blushed a little. “Roz’s voice carried a bit.”
This was true. And Luna wasn’t exactly quiet, either.
“Did Roz say what the tragedy was?” I asked.
“No, only that someone had died. This was before you and Luna went on the weekend—I guess they were talking about the people who were going. I only remember because Roz got very serious . . . actually, she seemed to choke up.” He paused, and then briskly added, “I should let you get back to work. Hope things start looking up for you, Ann.”
The library remained quiet the rest of the day, but I was glad because it gave me the opportunity to catch up on a lot of things I hadn’t had a chance to work on. I spent some time looking up how other libraries held volunteer appreciation days and jotted down their tips. Then I constructed a loose agenda for the day . . . a date I still needed to pass by Wilson. I decided to go ahead and see if I could get approval from him for everything I’d put together.
Wilson looked up and smiled distractedly as I tapped on his office door.
“How did lunch go, Ann?” He pushed aside a pile of papers on his desk and leaned forward, suddenly regaining focus.
“It was good,” I said cautiously. I wasn’t sure what Wilson expected me to do during these lunches. I thought it might be good enough to be a good representative of the library, but I was starting to wonder if he thought I should be singing the library’s praises or trying to ask for a recurring gift or something of that nature.
A moment later, it seemed his thoughts were going in that direction when he said, “Did Grace say anything about the library or how she might want to be involved in it in the future? Do you think she might be interested in a position on the board of trustees?”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry Wilson, but it wasn’t that kind of lunch. In fact, I should have mentioned this to you this morning, but I got caught up with a bunch of things in my inbox. Luna’s cousin, a friend of Grace’s, died early this morning. I think Grace wanted to talk about it with us over lunch and that’s why she invited us out.”
Wilson’s face reflected momentary disappointment before he said, “Of course. I’m sorry to hear about Luna’s cousin.” He frowned. “I’m surprised she came in today.”
“I was too, but she said it would make for a good distraction for her. She and her mother were very upset this morning.”
Wilson’s frown deepened. “Her mother, yes. Mona. She was kind to make us all Rice Krispy treats the other day.”
I said with a slightly pointed edge in my voice, “I believe she got the idea because you’d mentioned you liked them. She made them mostly for you.”
Wilson suddenly seemed flustered, pulling the piles of paperwork closer to him as if needing to run interference between himself and my words. “Yes, well. That was especially nice, then.” He hesitated and then asked, “Did she do that for any specific reason? That you know of, anyway? I haven’t been sure about how to behave around her. After all, she’s the mother of an employee of mine.”
I said simply, “She made them because she likes you. She hoped you’d enjoy them.”
Wilson nodded slowly. “I should do something in return, then. Especially since she’s going through this rough time with the death of her niece.” He considered this. “Perhaps a card.”
I was able not to wince. I was hoping he’d say he should ask her out for coffee sometime. But I reminded myself that this was Wilson. He was nothing if not cautious. Maybe a card was a good starting place.
“Maybe so,” I said. I frowned. “Actually, I just realized that Luna left her mom at home today. Sometimes it’s better for Mona if she spends time at the library instead.”
Wilson folded his arms together. “Why would she have left her at home? Especially on a bad day like this?”
“Well, I was over there very early this morning when everything happened. Mona was upset and wasn’t ready to go anywhere at the time. But it’s after lunch. Maybe she’d like to come over here now.”
Wilson pulled up the library schedule on his computer. “But Luna has a storytime this afternoon.”
I quickly added, “And I’m the only person covering the circulation desk. We have a couple of folks absent today or not scheduled.”
Wilson looked uncomfortable, a slight ruddy color rising from his shirt collar. “I suppose I could offer to run over and pick Mona up.”
I hid a smile at his discomfort. “It isn’t a very long drive. I don’t think it would be too awkward. And I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”
He gave a brisk nod as if it were decided and before he could talk himself out of it, he picked up the phone. “The number?”
I gave it to him and he punched it in, clearing his throat. “Ms. Macon? This is . . . yes, hello. We were all very sorry to hear about your niece today. Such a terrible thing.” He paused, listening. “I know you frequently like spending time at the library and aren’t able to drive. Luna and Ann are tied up this afternoon, but I wondered if I might pick you up and bring you here, myself.” He quickly added, “Only if that would provide a good distraction for you, of course.”
Apparently, Mona accepted with alacrity because Wilson was now saying, “Good. Yes. I can be there in about fifteen minutes.”
He put the receiver down, small beads of perspiration dotting his forehead. “Well. I suppose I should go ahead and head over there then.”
Wilson had knocked me off-track by talking about the lunch with Grace and I hadn’t even had a chance to speak with him about the volunteer luncheon arrangements. I hastily said, “It won’t take you fifteen minutes to get there. Could I go over something with you really quick and see what you think?”
He suddenly turned his full attention back to me. “Ah, yes. Very good. I was going to ask you about that.”
“I think I have a fairly good plan of how we should approach it.”
Wilson frowned. “The Fitz Picks?”
I stared at him blankly. “Sorry?”
“You know—the pictures of Fitz and book displays. Fitz’s Faves. Something catchy like that. But it’s not the kind of thing you need to get approval on, you know.” Wilson was now stacking his papers and getting his car keys out of his desk drawer.
“We’re speaking at cross purposes, Wilson. I meant the volunteer appreciation luncheon.”
He blinked at me. “Oh. That.”
“Yes, that. I’d somehow gotten the impression the luncheon was something of a priority for the library.”
He made a face. “Yes, I suppose so. Yes, of course it is. In my head, though, I wanted to move forward fairly quickly with the Fitz project. I think pictures of the cat with his favorite children’s books, favorite new releases, favorite thrillers, etc. would make excellent posts on social media. They might even spark discussion and engagement. We could ask our audience who’s read all the books in the photo. Or ask what books Fitz needs to read next.”
I gave him a tight smile. “I’ll get right on that.”
“Good. And I do want to speak with you about the volunteer luncheon, naturally. Maybe sometime next week?” He was already walking toward the door, then frowned at seeing his reflection in his office window. He smoothed down his already well-behaved hair.
“Perfect.”
He said as he opened his office door. “At least you have a quiet afternoon to get cracking on it.”