“Did you hear about Lucas?”
Everyone whispered that question all day long. People coming in and out of the library whispered it in hushed tones between the bookshelves. They asked her about it and all she could say was that it was true.
By early afternoon she needed a pick-me-up. Harper went next door to Bouncing Beans for coffee. Roasting coffee beans assailed her senses as soon as she set foot into the bustling chic café. Libby had outdone herself when she designed the interior to make it cozy yet quaint with a beach vibe. The outdoor seating area was packed full of tourists but the inside was empty during a quick break in customers.
“I’m assuming you’ve heard by now,” Harper said as she sidled up to the counter where Libby was setting out fresh pastries.
“About Lucas? Yeah. I want to say it’s a sad thing, but Lucas was awful so I’m having a hard time feeling sorry for him,” Libby said.
“I know how you feel, but maybe keep it to yourself. The new detective is on the case and he’s…not quite what we’re used to.”
Libby’s brown eyes brightened as she asked, “Did you meet him? The Viking?”
“I did. Thanks to all of you, I actually called him that,” Harper said, smiling slightly at the memory of the confused look on his face earlier.
“You didn’t!”
“It just came out.”
Libby shook her head and then said, “You found Lucas, didn’t you? How are you holding up?”
“I thought he was just another drunk tourist sleeping off a few too many drinks. Seeing him like that…It was pretty awful.”
“I can’t believe he was murdered. I mean, I can believe it considering the kind of person he was, but things like that don’t normally happen on the island,” Libby said, frowning.
She had a point. The island was generally peaceful and safe, but the greater influx of tourists over the years changed the island. Lately, it seemed like more and more crime was drifting over from the mainland of California.
“Did the police talk to you at all?” Harper asked.
“Not yet. John dropped by for a few minutes to let me know they’d need to talk. Why?”
Harper winced. “I may have mentioned how Lucas wanted to buy the whole block.”
“Are we suspects now?”
“I don’t think so. John knows us, so I’m sure we’re fine. But that new detective might be a bit suspicious.”
“Who do you think did it?” Libby asked, leaning on the counter to lower her voice.
“I don’t know. Lucas had a lot of enemies, so it could be anyone.”
“Exactly. But it’s odd that he was killed right outside the library. What was he doing there?” Harper wondered.
“I hadn’t considered that,” Libby said and then her eyes brightened. “Hey, what if we investigate it?”
“We’re not the police.”
Libby shook her head and smiled. “I mean, at the book club. We’re reading a murder mystery book this month, so it’ll be like practical application.”
Harper thought about that and slowly nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. I wonder if the others will be on board with that.”
“Ladies, mind if we join you?” John asked as he and Marc walked into the café.
“John! Of course, as long as you buy some coffee and contribute to a local business,” Libby said, winking at him.
“For your coffee? Twist my arm,” he joked.
“Right. Give me a minute to make Harper’s coffee and then I’m all yours.”
Libby winked at John one last time before she whirled away to make a latte for Harper. After so many years, Libby knew most everyone’s orders by heart—including Harper’s.
“Are you friends with everyone around here?” Marc asked her while John greeted a few other locals.
“It’s a small island. It’s hard not to be friends with everyone,” Harper said.
“Everyone but Lucas.”
Harper studied him for a moment and then said, “You didn’t meet him, so I’ll give you a pass on the suspicion you just threw my way.”
“Just doing my job.”
“Speaking of work, I’d better get back to mine. Have a good day, Detective,” she said sharply.
“And you, Ms. Lansbury.”
“Here, Harper. Coffee to go. I’ll see you later!” Libby said, smiling before she turned back to John.
Waving, Harper turned away from Marc and almost ran smack into Rosie Tobin, the former secretary for Lucas, on her way out the door. She was around Harper’s age and height, with a slim build, long dark hair, and brown eyes.
“Oh, sorry, Harper,” Rosie said with a bright grin as she stepped back.
“No worries. Let’s just blame my clumsiness,” Harper said.
Then Rosie’s smile dropped. “I heard about what happened. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. A little unsettled, but fine. Are you okay? I know you used to work for him.”
“That was a while ago. I haven’t worked for him in a couple of months. It’s weird, you know? Now that I’m moving to the mainland I don’t know why I was so worked up over being fired by Lucas. It was a blessing in disguise.”
“That’s right! I forgot you were moving to Los Angeles.”
“In just a few weeks. It’s a big move but I’m looking forward to the change and my new job seems pretty good.”
“Good for you. If you want any recommendations on things to do or places to see, let me know.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
Harper wanted so badly to ask Rosie questions. If anyone knew more about Lucas, it would be his former secretary. But with Detective Andersen within earshot—and giving her glances every handful of seconds—Harper knew she better not stick around for long.
“Rosie, did you drop an earring somewhere?” Harper asked, just noticing that Rosie only had one earring.
Rosie’s hand reached up to her naked earlobe and she gasped. “I didn’t even realize. It must have fallen out somewhere. These ones have a tendency to do that, usually in my purse for some reason.”
Harper looked down at the floor, wondering if it fell off when they ran into each other. The one earring she wore was a tassel earring, with the tassel a deep blue color that hung down from a diamond gemstone. Taking a look at the one in Rosie’s ear, she realized it was one of those hooks that didn’t come with a back to stop it from slipping out. She couldn’t see it anywhere on the floor around them and an influx of new customers made Harper realize she needed to get back to the library.
“If I find your earring somewhere, I’ll let you know,” Harper said, waving at Rosie as she left and scurried back to the library.
The library was just as she’d left it—a safe haven of calm and quiet that blocked the outside hubbub. Even as she got back to work, Harper couldn’t put the questions of the murder aside. Why was Lucas murdered and why was he murdered right outside the library? Try as she might, Harper couldn’t answer either question.
Maybe Libby had a point. The book club was reading a mystery book this month, so maybe they could stretch their investigative skills to the real world—but keep it completely out of the way of the local police. They were just a book club. It’s not like they would actually solve the crime. All they would do was a little reading up on murder and see if it could be applied to their current situation.
Once she was back in the library, Harper thought about it. The book club would meet again in a few days. They would talk about the murder anyway. What was a little speculating on the side?