A soft breeze blew through the backyard as Harper set up the furniture on the deck for the book club meeting that would start in half an hour. She had a spice cake ready for dessert in the kitchen. Both the food table and the bar cart were ready for the contributions the other ladies would bring. Everything was set.
Tonight, they would finish the last few chapters in the book and pick a new book for next month. Of course, that would be after they talked about the murder. It was all over the island that Rosie killed Lucas, and that Lucas and Adam committed all sorts of crimes.
The group text had blown up last night after Rosie was arrested, but Harper put them all off until she could explain in person tonight. It was just too much to put into a text and she was hoping Marc would call to let her know what happened after Rosie’s arrest.
A knock on the door drew her out of her musing and she went to answer it. The ladies never knocked.
Opening the door, she found a six-foot-four Viking on her porch.
“I was just thinking about you,” she said, smiling at him.
“Good thoughts, I hope,” he said.
“Wondering if you would tell me what happened with Rosie, actually. Do you want to come inside?”
“You’re not busy with the book club yet?” he asked, following her inside.
“They should be here soon.”
He nodded and said, “Actually, I did want to let you know what happened since you were instrumental in helping catch the killer.”
“A simple thank you will do,” she joked.
He smiled slightly. “Did Rosie tell you why she killed Lucas?”
“Yeah. She wanted to ruin him, tried to blackmail him and when it didn’t work…well, that part is a bit hazy. She said she didn’t mean to kill him.”
“She told us that, too. She’s also the one that prevented those illicit photos from being put in the library. We found them all in a box at her house.”
Harper nodded.
“The court will decide what her punishment is, but she’s cooperating with us if that’s any comfort,” Marc said.
“I didn’t want it to be her, you know? I felt bad for her because of what Lucas did to her.”
“Even good people can do bad things sometimes.”
“I know, but I really thought Adam was the killer.”
Marc nodded. “Adam has many crimes, but he’s not a killer.”
“Was he the source for that article about the library?” she asked.
“Adam and Lucas both put that together and wrote it under an anonymous name.”
“Sneaky.”
“The plan was to force the library to shut down so they could grab the building and land for the casino.”
Harper nodded. At least she had been right about that.
“What happens now?” she asked.
“The court will decide what to do with Rosie and Adam. It’s up to the judicial system now.”
“And Sybil?”
“There’s only circumstantial proof of her involvement and she’s denying it, but the USB drive helps. The district attorney might make a deal with her to let her walk free if she rolls on Adam,” he said.
“I guess that’s good enough.”
“It has to be. We’ve done our part. The rest is up to the court.”
She nodded. “Thanks for telling me.”
“Sure. Also, the street light at the library should work from now on.”
“The flickering one?”
“I put a call in. Someone should be fixing it tonight.”
“Oh, that…Thanks,” she said, glancing up at him to find him studying her carefully.
“You’ll never guess what I brought today…Oh! Detective! Fancy seeing you here. In Harper’s house. Alone,” Bernie said, batting her eyelashes at them as she walked in the front door and stopped to stare at them.
Marc coughed. “I, uh, I should go. You have the book club.”
“Right, yes. Of course. I’ll walk you out. Bernie, take the food out to the deck. You know the drill,” Harper said, ushering Bernie to the French doors before she walked to the front door with Marc. “Thanks for letting me know what happened.”
“I figured if I didn’t you’d be coming to the station every day to pry it out of me,” he teased.
“Maybe a little.”
His eyes took on an appreciative gleam as he gazed down at her. “You never give up, do you?”
“Not with things that really matter. I love a good mystery and I couldn’t help but try to figure it out.”
“I’m the detective, remember?” he asked playfully, crossing his arms over his chest.
Harper rolled her eyes. “Are you going to go all he-man, Viking on me now?”
“Actually, Vikings were proud of their women and regarded them as equals, especially in battle,” he said, smiling down at her slightly.
“Huh. Maybe you should do that,” she said, smiling back.
“Maybe I will.”
“You should also deputize me for being such an asset to your investigation.”
“Now you’re pushing it,” he said, smiling for real now.
“It was worth a shot,” she said, grinning.
“Why aren’t we going in?” Kat asked quietly and Harper turned to find the rest of the book club members huddled together on the sidewalk, staring up at her and Marc on the porch.
Marc coughed again and said, “Hello, ladies. Harper, I’ll see you around.”
“Right. See you,” she said, watching as he strode down the steps while the other ladies parted like the Red Sea to let him pass before they turned and glued their gazes on her like heat-seeking missiles.
“What was that about?” Libby asked, pushing forward and leading the inquisition.
“Young love!” Bernie yelled from inside the front door.
“Were you listening?” Harper asked.
“What kind of self-respecting elder would I be if I didn’t eavesdrop a little?” Bernie asked.
“Oh, there’s a story to tell!” Sasha cheered.
“There’s really not,” Harper insisted.
“Yes, there is,” Bernie contradicted. “And I’m going to tell it. Everyone, to the deck. We have a juicy love story to discuss.”
Harper stood back as the other ladies marched through her cottage to the deck and set the food down. Looking across the street, she saw Marc standing on his own porch waving at her. Great, he’d probably heard that. Now she’d never be able to look him in the eye again.
“Harper, the food will go cold if you stay out there making cow eyes at that Viking!” Bernie yelled, loud enough for the whole street to hear.
Harper sighed, wondering if a sinkhole could open up and swallow her whole. Giving Marc one last glance, she saw the smirk on his face before she whirled around and slammed the door closed behind her.
They may not have a real-life murder to discuss, but she would keep the focus on the book they picked for the month—after they finished teasing her, that is. It was hard to live on a small island with such nosy friends, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now that the library was safe and the murder was solved, maybe life on Marilee Island could get back to normal. Harper sighed, knowing there wasn’t much hope for normalcy with the crowd waiting for her on the deck. But she wouldn’t have it any other way. This was her home and they were her family. And now, it was time for the book club.