by Lynn Cahoon
“I do hope he’s going to at least try to be part of the group. The retreat has been a great learning process for the students if they bond and work with the other writers.” Cat held on to her cup like it was a lifeline. “Anyway, today should be pretty busy, what with our first trip to the library and Shirley coming in this afternoon.”
“I should have her here by one,” Seth said as he came in through the hallway door. “I’ll stop at a drive-in and get lunch for the two of us, but you may want to expect her for most of the meals. I think your uncle is going to be busy this week.”
“Yeah, I got the message last night.” Cat stood to refill her cup and gave Seth a kiss. “How did you sleep?”
“Badly. Chance just didn’t seem like the type of guy to fake his own death and disappear. Why didn’t I ever see him? I would have recognized him, I’m pretty sure.” Seth poured his own coffee.
“You’re saying you never ran into him. Not since you’ve been back from the service?” Cat studied Seth’s face. She could see the pain etched around his eyes for his old friend.
Seth shook his head. “And that’s weird too. Pete said he’d stayed off the grid and out of town except for emergencies, but to not see the guy in over ten years? That’s just odd. I’m going over to visit his dog and see if I recognize him.”
“You are friends with a lot of the local pets,” Cat teased.
“Maybe we should think about taking the old guy in?” Shauna took one look at Cat’s face, then laughed. “Or maybe not. I take it you’re at the pet limit?”
“I just don’t know how he’d deal with so many people around all the time. The insurance agent is already making noises about increasing our umbrella policy in case someone jumps on Snow and gets hurt.” Cat grabbed a muffin and cut it in half.
“If someone gets on my horse without my permission, I’m going to be the one to hurt them.” Shauna stood at the stove cooking bacon. “And that’s a promise.”
“I’ll make a sign for the barn. Something like, YOU CAN VISIT THE ANIMALS, BUT DON’T GET IN THEIR PENS. That way, if we expand at any time, I don’t have to update the sign.” Seth started to write down the task in his notebook. “What? A little too direct?”
“Maybe not direct enough. I’d prefer DON’T RIDE THE HORSE.” Shauna lifted the crispy bacon onto a plate covered with a paper towel. “Who wants eggs and how?”
“I’ll have two over easy.” Seth took a plate out of the cupboard. “I can make my own toast. Do you have anything else going?”
“I’ve got two hash brown casseroles warming in the oven. The smaller one’s for us. I’ll take it out as soon as your eggs are ready.” Shauna took out another pan and put some butter in the bottom.
The three of them worked on getting breakfast done so they would be ready for the writers who would be getting up soon for their first retreat day. Shauna had already set out coffee, juice, and several choices of breakfast treats to hold them over until eight when she put out the main course. Like the hash brown casserole in the oven. Today they would also have scrambled eggs and bacon.
Cat watched the other two as they moved around the kitchen. The retreat had been going for just over a year now and the days had a routine to them. Or they did if someone wasn’t found dead during the first few days. Cat thought back to her first retreat, when the dead guy had been one of her writer guests. Tom Cook had already been a famous and successful author when he’d arrived, and it had been that fame that had put him in the killer’s sights. Now, Seth had lost a friend. Again. It really didn’t seem fair.
The door to the kitchen opened and Brodie walked in. “Sorry to bother you, but the coffee carafe is empty. Could I get a cup from here?”
“Of course.” Shauna hurried over to take the carafe from him. “Let me fill this and I’ll run it back out. But first, I’ll pour you a cup. Do you want a travel mug or a ceramic one?”
Brodie blinked, confusion on his face, but didn’t answer.
Shauna held up the two options and his face relaxed.
He pointed to the travel mug. “That one. My mom always said I was a klutz. I’d hate to spill on your carpet or something.”
“Where are you from, Brodie?” Cat asked as she watched him move from one foot to another.
“Idaho. It’s a really small town outside Boise. But when I got a full ride to Covington, I accepted right away. Mom said it was because of our last name. She said it made people nervous so they gave us what we asked for.” Brodie took the cup from Shauna. “Look, I don’t think I got off on the right foot with the other guests, so if you want me to leave, I will.”
“Why on earth would we want you to leave?” Cat smiled at the obviously nervous student. “You’re here for the retreat, so just enjoy it. They’ll accept you if you just be yourself.”
He smiled and held up his cup. “From your mouth to God’s ear. Another one of my mom’s favorite sayings.”
He left the kitchen and the three of them looked at one another.
“That was weird.” Cat was the first to break the silence.
“So what is his last name?” Seth asked.
Shauna laughed. “Capone. You don’t think the college thought he was connected, do you?”
“Maybe he is and doesn’t know it. He never said anything about his father.” Cat pondered the question. Dante would know, but she’d promised both Seth and Uncle Pete that she’d stay away from the suspected mobster who had been her husband’s best friend. Lines blurred in Aspen Hills, but even she knew the guy was trouble. The fact he was drop-dead gorgeous as well was beside the point. Especially since she and Seth had just gotten back together.
“Well, at least he’s a little calmed down from yesterday. Maybe the guy has mood swings. What do you think, Shauna?” Seth set his empty plate in the sink.
“Are you asking because you think I have mood swings?” Shauna eyed him from the counter, where she was chopping fruit for the guests. She held up the knife, looking at it, then at Seth. “Seriously?”
“I would never insinuate something like that.” He looked at Cat. “Shauna wasn’t a knife thrower in a circus when you found her, was she?”
“Almost. The place where she bartended didn’t even bother to hire a bouncer for her shifts. She did all the work.” Cat smiled as she scanned her schedule. “Okay, I’m heading upstairs to work, but I’ll take the group to the library, so have everyone meet downstairs at eight forty-five. I don’t want Miss Applebome giving me the evil eye because we’re late.”
“I could take them,” Seth offered. “Miss Applebome likes me because I replaced the roof on her porch last year.”
“Sure, suck up to the one woman in town who thinks I’m a thief.” Cat refilled her coffee cup.
“You did take a book from the library without checking it out.” Shauna pointed out without looking up from her chopping.
“It couldn’t be checked out, or I would have. And besides, that book helped solve Tom Cook’s murder.” Cat held up a hand. “Fine, you’re right. I took a book. But I brought it back. It’s not my fault she has cameras all over the library.”
“And that’s what all the criminals say when confronted with their crimes.” Seth moved to the back door. “Face it, Cat, you were saved by your uncle. Otherwise, you’d be doing hard time.”
Cat put a lid on the cup. “For stealing a college yearbook? Besides, Miss Applebome wouldn’t have pressed charges. This way she gets to make me feel guilty every time I walk into the library. I think it’s her evil plan. To kill with kindness.”
“See you all later. I’m heading to the barn to work on the loft. I’m worried about that roof. Especially if we get a foot or more of snow. I don’t want the horse and cats to have to move into the house with us.” He left through the back door.
“Do you need help with anything before I leave too?” Cat looked at her friend.
Shauna reached up and turned on the stereo. Country music poured out of the speakers. “I’m good. I’ll come upstairs
and get you a few minutes before you have to leave.”
When Cat reached her third-floor office, she booted up her computer and turned on her own stereo. Her writing music was more classical than Shauna’s tastes, but she needed to listen to only instrumentals, otherwise, she’d start singing along to the music. She glanced at her notebook, where she’d kept her timeline and notes on the book she was writing, but instead of opening her latest draft, she went to Google.
Keying in Chance’s name, she added Aspen Hills just to see what would come up on the dead, then alive, and now dead again soldier. And as a habit, Cat leaned down and opened a drawer in her desk, pulling out a new notebook.
Absently she started writing down everything she knew about the man, including the fact he was in Seth’s unit in the army. Then she added everything she’d found online, which wasn’t much. She leaned back in her chair and looked at the notes. Then she returned to the pages and built a timeline.
Once that was done, she started searching for the town near the army base in Germany. Maybe there was something in the news about Chance, or something weird happened around when he supposedly died. She got a listing for a local newspaper, but it didn’t have any online archives. She tucked the notebook in her tote and closed out Google. But instead of writing, she went to her e-mail program and cleaned it out, answering the last of the important missives just before Shauna knocked on her door.
“I’m ready.” Cat shut down her computer and grabbed her notebook. She met Shauna at the door. “I’m going to hang around a bit at the library after I drop off the writers. I have some research to do for this new book.”
“Research on army boot camps?” Shauna guessed as they walked down the stairs.
Cat nodded. It wasn’t much of a lie. She was researching the army, just not for the fictional one she was writing in her book.
Cat was surprised to see Brodie standing with the group at the front door. “Are you coming as well? You probably could give Ms. Applebome’s lecture by now.”
“I want to come. Besides, we’re going to Reno’s for pizza afterward and I can lead everyone back here after lunch.” Brodie beamed as the others nodded.
“Okay then, let’s go.” Cat let Brodie lead the way and she closed the door behind them. Jocelyn stood waiting for her on the porch.
She nodded to Brodie. “He came into the dining room at breakfast and apologized for yesterday. He said he wanted to help and be part of the group. I don’t know what happened, but he seems to be a different guy. So, we haven’t told him we actually know our way around.”
“I like this new Brodie, so don’t tell him.” Cat smiled as they walked through the neighborhood and toward the college. They’d just come up on Dante’s place, but from the deserted look of the house, he must be out of town. When he or any member of his family was here, the driveway was filled with cars and people milling about.
“The houses here are so beautiful. They must have cost a fortune.” Jocelyn glanced at Cat. “What did you get yours for? Do you mind telling me? Or is that a totally rude question?”
“Actually, we got it cheap because it was in horrible shape when my ex and I bought it. The college had used it as a frat house after the president had built a new home. There was a lot of remodeling that needed to be done. I think the college might have given Michael a bit of a deal on it because he was their star economics professor. I probably wouldn’t have been able to put together the retreat without getting the house free and clear after my ex died a couple of years ago. Of course, now I have a remodel loan.”
“Archer and I are looking at buying a house, but the area is just so expensive. We’ve started looking out in the suburbs. We could commute to our jobs easily enough with the mass transit system there.” Jocelyn pointed to Dante’s house. “Of course, it’s not going to be anything like that one. What is that house, five thousand square feet?”
“Probably. I’ve only been inside once. But I don’t think any of the old houses on the street are for sale right now. They go fast when they come up now.”
“Well, at least you have a place where you can live and make a living.” Jocelyn studied Cat as they paused at a corner, waiting for the light to change so they could walk across. “Are you making a living from the author gig? Or is it the writers’ retreat that keeps food on your table?”
Uncomfortable with the question, Cat gave her standard line. “I make a good living from the books. I’m lucky that I get sizable advances to enable me to write. But I have to say, the retreat brings in enough money to keep the house going. A big house has a lot of expenses.”
“Hopefully we’ll be able to talk more about the business side of being an author?” She dropped her voice as they crossed the street. “I haven’t told the others, but my agent called last week with an offer on a series. I’m not really sure if I should take it or hold out or just self-publish. There’s so many things to think about.”
“First off, congrats! That’s amazing. But you are the only one who can make the decision on how you want to be published. I take it you were looking for a traditional deal when you got your agent. Maybe she can help guide you?”
“Maybe, but I want to know my options. Before I jump into something I might regret. I think we’re all smarter if we talk to each other and share the information. Is that naïve? Archer says I’m just asking for trouble if I try to compare offers.” She paused as the library came into view. “That place just takes my breath away.”
“You’re not naïve, you’re smart. And we can talk about this on Wednesday without telling your secret to the rest of the group. Unless you decide to share. It’s totally up to you. Most of my retreats do want to talk about the reality of publishing. Even though sometimes it’s a depressing discussion.”
“Then it’s a good thing Shauna bakes us all those amazing treats so we can drown our sorrows in chocolate and sugar.” She paused at the bottom of the stairs. “Thanks for talking with me. I’d love to chat more just the two of us if you have some time this week.”
“I’ll make time.” Cat grabbed the railing. “But for now, I need to get you inside for your Library 101 session. Your instructor doesn’t like being kept waiting.”
As Cat had predicted, Miss Applebome stood at the door to the library conference room watching as the group came into the lobby area. She waved the writers over and sniffed at Brodie. “I believe you could skip the class if you wanted to, Mr. Capone. But with your lack of study skills, it might do you some good to have a refresher.”
Man, Miss Applebome really didn’t like Brodie. Even more, Cat thought, than she disliked Cat.
Brodie smiled as he walked into the room. “I’ve been looking forward to getting a refresher. I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of things about the library that I don’t know.”
As the rest filed into the room, Miss Applebome crooked a finger at Cat. Surprised, Cat moved closer to the older woman. “What’s going on?”
“I wanted to let you know I’m sorry about Seth’s friend, Chance. He would come into the library often, especially at night to research. He was obsessed with military strategy books.” Miss Applebome looked into the room where the writers sat. “I can’t believe anyone would want to hurt such a gentle soul.”
Chapter 6
Knowing that Chance had been seen in the library researching before he died, Cat wondered how she could figure out what precisely he’d been studying. Miss Applebome had closed the subject and the door on her when she went into the classroom to give the writers a library tutorial. But, she’d given her an idea. Miss Applebome had referred to Chance as Seth’s friend. The only time he’d probably used the library before enlisting was during high school. All the local kids got full access to Covington’s library starting their freshman year. If he had been researching lately, he could have still used that access card. Cat crossed to where a bored student stood checking in books.
“Good morning. I was wondering if Chance McAllister had any books on reserve.” Cat glan
ced at her watch, trying to imply a sense of urgency to her question.
“Let me look.” The student flipped back her long, straight blond hair and keyed into the computer. “Do you know his ID card number?”
“No, sorry. I didn’t get that from him. Can you just look up by name?”
The girl shrugged. “Sure. Hold on a minute.” She went back to the screen. “Yeah, he has four on hold. None of them have become available yet.”
“Can you print me off a list of those books and the ones he’s checked out in the last six months, no, make that the last year.” Cat tried looking as bored as the other girl appeared. “I’m helping him document his thesis.”
“If you don’t do it while you’re researching, it can be a beast to complete the listing afterward. I don’t envy you.” The girl hit a key and pages started coming out of the printer. “Especially this guy. I hope he’s paying a bunch of money, since there are pages of books.”
“Thanks. I’m probably getting way less than he should be paying.” Add in the fact the guy was dead and couldn’t pay anything, Cat figured the lie wasn’t that much of a stretch. She took the pages from the girl and went to sit at a table away from the registration desk. Glancing through the books, it looked like Chance was doing a study of early Colorado history and gold mining techniques. Cat knew there were still some gold miners who lived by themselves in the mountains. Had this guy been one of them? Maybe that was what had gotten him killed. He’d found a little bit of gold in a creek and hadn’t been as secret about it as he should have? But then again, whom would he have talked to? She put the book lists into her notebook, then went over to the computer to start looking up newspapers that might have online archives from around that time. Two hours later, she was out of ideas and hadn’t found even a mention of Chance McAllister except for his high school football stats.
She tucked her notebook into her tote and left the library. The bright sun had warmed the day so she took her puffer jacket off and stuffed that into the tote as well. Heading home, she decided to stop at the Written Word, Tammy Jones’s bookstore on Main Street. The bell rang above the door as she walked into a smell of paper and coffee. No one was at the checkout desk, so she moved through the displays to the back of the store, where Tammy had an office.
