Body in the Book Drop

Cat Latimer novella

Lynn Cahoon

Contents

Body in the Book Drop

Foreword

The Cat Latimer Mysteries

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

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The Cat Latimer Mysteries

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Body in the Book Drop

A Cat Latimer Novella

Lynn Cahoon

Foreword

In this Cat Latimer mysteries prequel: Cat must prove her mom isn't a killer -- before the real culprit decides curiosity really does kill the Cat.

The Cat Latimer Mysteries

A Story to Kill

Fatality by Firelight

Of Murder and Men

Slay in Character

Sconed to Death

A Field Guide to Homicide

And coming soon

A Killer Christmas Wish (Fall 2021)

To all my college professors. Thanks for trying to show me the right path, even if I wasn’t able to see through the mist at the time.

Acknowledgments

Big thanks to Megan Kelly of MKBooksEditing for her close eye and insightful questioning. Thanks to members of Cahoon’s Crazy for Cozies group for your help as well in helping get this novella out for readers’ enjoyment.

1

Cat Gibson loved sitting in her mother’s cozy robin’s egg blue kitchen. White curtains framed the window, and under the window stood a four-chair white table. Cat sat in the same chair where she’d done homework for years. Now that she’d rented an apartment closer to the campus, she missed the warm kitchen which always smelled like cookies or bread baking. The view of the mountain range had been her touch base for years. The mountain had been a part of her life for as long as she remembered. A part of her and her ex-boyfriend’s life if she were honest. But no crying over Seth. Not today.

“So, what has you here so early?” Her mother, Loraine Gibson, set a plate of warm from the oven banana bread on the table and refilled Cat’s coffee cup. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about your old mom being alone in the house?”

“No, I just wanted to see you.” Her dad had asked her to stop by more often during the month he was in New Jersey for a business trip. His company was instituting a new computer system that he’d be responsible for but he missed home. She sipped her coffee, hoping her mother didn’t see the lie.

“Whatever. I know how you and your father think.” Mom sat at the table and glanced at her clock. “The library doesn’t open until ten today, so I’ve got some time to chat. How are your studies going?”

“I’ve been doing some creative writing this week. Something my fiction professor is going to hate because it’s all paranormal and young adult. But I’m having a great time writing it. I might have to write a second, more literary project before the end of the semester, but I’m not worried about it now.” Cat took one of the slices and spread some butter over the warm bread. “Writing genre fiction is considered slumming by the college crowd. Yet, everyone who’s reading for pleasure on the quad has a romance or mystery in their hands.”

“You have to find out what makes you happy. Like me. I went to school for accounting, but I love working at the library so much more than when I did people’s taxes. I earn so little. Thank goodness your father makes a good wage so we can eat.” She took a bite of the bread. “I put dried cranberries in it this time. Do you like them?”

Her mother’s gaze took in Cat’s face and hair. Cat self-consciously tucked a loose lock of hair behind one ear. “I always love your banana bread.”

Mom’s banana bread had been one of Seth’s favorites too, a thought that crossed her mind before she could stop it. And it must have shown on her face because her mom reached out and touched her shoulder. “Have you heard from him?”

Tears filled Cat’s eyes even though she’d tried to stop herself from even thinking about him. Having the same boyfriend for so many years was problematic in itself. Seth was everywhere. In the memories of her high school years. Walking to campus from her apartment. Even here, sitting at her mother’s table. They’d spent their free time here. Playing games. Doing homework. Talking about the future. A future that wouldn’t happen now. “No. He hasn’t called. The Army is shipping him from Germany to Washington sometime this month. I guess he’s too busy to check in with an old friend.”

“You two were more than friends.” Her mother stroked her arm, a habit she had when life wasn’t working out for her only daughter.

“Were is the word. I have to admit it, Mom. Our relationship is over.” Cat’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the text. A smile creased her face. Michael Latimer checking in on her. He’d been so understanding when she’d fallen apart during their chat last week. When he’d taken an interest as her mentor last year, his prominence in the Economics’ department had been instrumental in helping her get into the MFA program at Covington College. Now he reached out at least once a week even though his mentor responsibilities were over, just to make sure things were going well with her classes.

She looked up to find her mother watching her. She gripped her coffee mug in both hands. Her lips were tight.

“It’s just a friend,” Cat explained.

“Really? A friend? Male or female?” She picked up the bread, then set it back down. From the look on her face, it was time for a lecture. “Honey, I know you’re an adult and in charge of your own life. I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been seen with one of the professors from Covington lately. You know you can’t get involved with those people. It’s not safe.”

“Mom, you’ve been telling me that the Covington crowd isn’t our type of people for years. If I get hired there after I finish my graduate program, I’m going to be one of those people.” She turned off the phone. “And why you’d have me be afraid of an economics professor, I don’t know. They’re mostly just eggheads, like me.” And you, she added silently.

“It’s not the same. Covington is special. I hate to say it because I’ll miss you, but you need to look for jobs outside of Aspen Hills. Denver is nice and still close. They have good schools there.” Her mother forced a smile that even Cat could see was false. Her phone rang, and she looked at it and put it down. “It’s Mr. Hines from work. He can wait until I get in. I’m sure the board’s going to tell me they cut my budget again. Seriously, if people didn’t donate their used books to the library, we’d be down to books the library purchased in the 60’s.”

“Sorry you’re having funding issues. But you’re right. I’ll start looking for a placement next year when I’m close to graduating. It might be nice to get out of Colorado for a few years. Besides, Covington might not have a place for me anyway.” Cat decided to change the subject. She wouldn’t win an argument with her mother anyway. “So, work is good?”

“Remember, Denver is close. Work’s fine. We have a homeless man, Charlie, who comes in most days. The kids were a little scared by him at first, but he’s such a kind heart. He’s always opening doors for people, and he reads so widely. I tried to get him to sign up for a library card, but he says he doesn’t want to ruin a book by taking it out with him.” Mom shook her head. “I talked to your uncle about helping him find a place to stay but I guess there’s not a shelter or anything close that has room for him.”

“I’m surprised Uncle Pete has time to help someone. Isn’t he on speed trap duty until the town gets a new stoplight?” Cat liked her uncle, but it had been hard in high school when her uncle was always breaking up the parties she and Seth had attended. Finally, she’d stopped going and their group started hanging out at the creek instead. They sometimes snuck some beer or wine with them, but they mostly sat around a campfire and talked about the future.

And now she’d gone down another Seth story track. She rubbed her face. “I really need to get out of this town for a few years until I don’t see Seth around every corner. Why didn’t you tell me how hard it was going to be when I broke up with my one and only boyfriend?”

“You and Seth were perfect together. I’m still not sure why you broke up. Maybe you should call him and try to fix this.” Mom stood and dumped her coffee. “I’ve loved your father since the day he asked me to dance at Homecoming freshman year. He had just moved to Aspen Hills with his mother from New York and I thought he was the most amazing boy I’d ever seen.”

Cat had heard the story many times and it always made her smile. Her parents’ marriage had been solid for almost thirty years. When her friends had all been complaining about their parents divorcing, Cat knew hers wouldn’t. Her father brought home flowers on Wednesdays just because. And they had a date night weekly. Which teenage Cat had used to her advantage, sneaking out with Seth until her parents had found them at the Gas and Go. They’d had to stop to fill Seth’s truck. After that, date night was never on the same night or announced ahead of time. And Cat had a visitor to entertain on those nights. Her Uncle Pete.

She glanced at the clock and stood. “I need to get going. Have a great day. Do you want to grab dinner at The Diner this week?”

“I’d love to grab dinner. Let’s say tomorrow night?” Her mother moved the dishes to the sink.

“I’m getting my first check from my teaching assistant position on Friday, so I’ll pay. And it’s not coming from my college fund.” Cat felt excited about having her own money, finally.

“Nope, I’ll pay. You need to save that money so you can set up your new apartment when you move to your first real job.” Mom wrapped her arms around Cat. “Have I told you I love you lately?”

“Every time we talk.” Cat hugged her mother and shrugged into her leather jacket. “I’ll come by tomorrow at six and we can walk over.”

“Tell your dad hi when he calls to see if you came over,” her mom called from the kitchen when Cat opened the front door.

The one thing about her mother was she was never wrong. And she never let you forget it, either.

2

As Cat walked away from her mom’s house, she wondered how she could keep her promise and leave Aspen Hills. She loved it here. Growing up in the small Colorado college town two hours south of Denver had been a childhood dream. She’d learned to ski on the nearby Rocky Mountains. She’d visited Pike’s Peak at least once a year, just to drink in the beauty. And she’d attended Covington College, a small liberal arts college where most of the students lived on campus giving it a community feel. A lot of kids came from the east coast, taking advantage of the nearby amazing skiing. Cat had gotten scholarships as a town kid that had cut her costs to almost nothing. She couldn’t even go to the state school for the cost of Covington. As a townie, she didn’t really hang with the out-of-towners. Their Boston accents started to fade by senior year, but it never went away. One more difference between the rich kids and the rest of the world.

Cat thought most of the separation was probably due to the fact local parents had the same fear of the outsiders that her mother had just expressed that morning. Maybe they didn’t like the idea of kids leaving home after college. Or maybe they just didn’t like the college kids.

Cat turned down Main Street and headed into The Morning Bean. She was the only one in line even though all the booths were filled. She ordered her mocha to go, deciding not to stay long. Especially since he’d chosen a booth in the back. Her mother’s warnings made her feel guilty about even being here. After paying for her drink, she slipped onto the bench across from him.

“I didn’t think you were going to come.” Michael Latimer looked up from his laptop. His dark hair waved around his ears and his eyes were lady-killer blue. Being over six foot tall and a fitness nut, all the coeds had a crush on the young economics professor. Getting into his classes was extremely hard since he only taught the advanced courses. Economics majors were considered the luckiest girls in the school. “You didn’t text back.”

“I needed coffee but I can’t stay long. I’m teaching at eleven.” She held up the to-go cup. leaned against the booth, letting her gaze scan the room for anyone she thought her mother might know. Finally, she relaxed. “I was at my folks’ place. My mom is by herself for a while and Dad doesn’t want her to be lonely.”

“You’re a good daughter.” He leaned back and studied her. “I take it she’s heard about us.”

Her heart fluttered a bit at the word us. “Well, yeah. She’s heard I’ve been seen with an economics prof. But don’t worry. I told her we were just friends. I can’t believe how gossipy everyone is here at Covington.”

“Friends, okay.” He pushed a set of tickets toward her. “Well, friend, I got these for a concert in Denver in a couple of weeks. I thought you might like to attend with me.”

She picked up one of the tickets. It was a pop singer she loved. “I’d heard she was coming to Denver, but the tickets sold out fast. How did you get these?”

Michael smiled and Cat’s heart did that flutter thing again.

“I have connections. Which is probably what your mother’s worried about.” He laughed at her confused look at the statement. “Sorry, private joke. I just have a friend who is very good at getting what he wants.”

She studied the ticket, then pushed it back across the table. “Look, maybe we need to slow this down. I’m just out of a long relationship, and you, well, you’re my professor.”

“Are you taking economics classes now?” His tone humorous.

“No, but you know what I mean. I don’t want to be just another coed for your memoir.” She sipped her coffee. “Besides, I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m focused on getting this degree and then finding a job.”

“How’s the novel coming?” He changed the subject as he sipped his coffee. He’d been served his drink in a real cup, not paper. And the coffee shop suited him. Like he was in a study or something.

Cat shook her head out of the thoughts she kept falling into. First Seth, now Michael. What was wrong with her? “It’s not a book. It’s just something I’m writing for fun. Professor Henry’s not even going to let me turn it in for a grade. I should set it aside and start working on something more literary before the semester gets away from me.”

“You should do what you want to do and stop worrying about what other people think.” He tucked the tickets into his pocket. “The invitation is still open. I’m driving up the Friday before and staying over through Sunday. I have access to a townhouse near the stadium if you want to come along. And, because we’re friends, you need to know that the townhouse has two bedrooms.”

She nodded, blushing a little at the smile he gave her. “I’ll think about it. Anyway, I need to go.”

“Are you studying in the library tonight? I’ve got some work I need to research so I’ll be on the third floor if you want to work together. I can buy pizza afterwards,” he added, watching as she stood and wrapped the long candy-striped scarf around her neck.

The scarf had been a gift from her mother at Christmas last year. She’d made Seth a matching one. At least she wouldn’t have to knit two scarves this year. “That sounds like a date.”

He chuckled. “That sounds like two colleagues grabbing food after a long day of work. Unless you think working in the library together is a date.”

That was the problem, to her, it was the perfect date. Michael checked all the boxes for a perfect boyfriend. All the things that Seth hadn’t. He didn’t mind sitting next to her while she read because he was reading too. And hanging out in the library, finding pieces of materials that increased their knowledge base, then talking about what they’d found sounded like heaven. She’d been lying when she’d told her mom that Michael was just a friend.

She’d been thinking of him as possible boyfriend material for a few weeks now. She realized he was watching her, waiting for her answer. “Of course, not. I’ve got to go.”

She didn’t wait for his response, just hurried out of the too warm coffee shop and ran right into a man. He steadied her with large, calloused, and dirty hands.

“Whoa there, little lady. Where’s the fire?” He laughed at his own joke.

Cat peered up at him. He was in his sixties if his hair color and wrinkles could be trusted. He smelled a little ripe. She smiled, trying to keep the smell out of her nose. “I’m fine. Sorry I almost ran you over.”

“Charlie don’t care. He’s been bulldozed before.” He nodded and stepped back to his shopping cart. “You have a good day now, you hear.”

He was halfway down the block before Cat thought about giving him money. This had to be the same person her mom had been talking about. Cat didn’t often see the homeless, not in Aspen Hills. The police chief had a policy of bundling anyone up that didn’t have a permanent address or room at the inn and having one of the deputies dump them outside city limits. Her uncle’s solution was to hide the guy from the police chief until he could find a shelter with a free bed. And hanging out at the library with her mother was a great place for people to hide in plain sight.

A text beeped on her phone and she pulled it out, taking off her mitten so she could access the message. She sighed as she read the message. Her class had been cancelled due to a broken pipe in the lecture building. She considered going back to the coffee shop and Michael. But then she’d look like she’d lied, and really was looking for a relationship. This being friends with the opposite sex was filled with landmines. No, better to go back to her apartment, do laundry, and work on the book.

She smiled at the thought of writing a novel. Maybe that was what this would turn into. If she gave it some time to grow. She hurried back to the apartment and to her work.

It was about five when she broke for food. She glanced out at the darkness outside her window. She was on the third floor and could see the lights of the campus from the sliding glass door that led to her tiny balcony. Right now, it was just a large, cold window, but on summer nights, the doors could stay open, and she could sit out on the balcony in her one chair and read. It was heaven. Especially after living at home all her life.

She took a frozen piece of lasagna from the servings her mom had packaged for her. She put it in the oven to warm and made a quick bagged salad to go with it. As she did, she dialed her dad’s number. He’d be off work by now and sitting in his hotel room, bored. “Hey, Dad, how was your day?”

“Mine was good, but it sounds like your mom had a hard day. Why don’t you give her a call after we hang up? I bet she’d love to hear from you.” Her dad started telling her about the new computer system and the new bells and whistles. She half listened as she poured herself a glass of wine to go with her dinner.

By the time the call ended, her dinner was ready. She sat in the living room, away from the dining room and her laptop. She needed a break from the fantasy world she was creating. How did real authors do it? She’d get so lost in the story she’d forget to eat. And then other times, she would be writing away and hit a brick wall, not knowing where to go next. Today had been an easy writing day. Cat liked the story and her characters. And if this was only for her own enjoyment, at least she was entertaining herself. She put the phone on the coffee table as a reminder to call her mom right after she finished dinner.

Except when she woke up the next morning, her phone sat dead on the coffee table next to her half-eaten dinner. The salad was gone as was the wine, but she’d only gotten through some of the pasta when she’d kicked her shoes off and laid down for just a second to watch the home improvement channel.

Stretching the night away, she turned the television off using the show guide as her clock. Time to get showered and dressed for class. Cat needed to be awake enough to teach in a little over an hour.

Heading down the stairs to the sidewalk to make her way to the campus, she remembered her promise to her father. She texted her mom, hoping she’d catch her before she headed to the library. Sorry I missed you last night. Still on for dinner?

The response came quickly and eased Cat’s guilt for not calling. Of course, dear. See you at five at The Diner.

Whatever had been bothering her must have seemed less of a problem after a good night’s sleep. Sleep reset the world. At least it did for Cat. She hurried down the street and hoped she’d have time to stop at the coffee cart inside the English building before class.

Coming in the building, she saw Michael sitting on a bench in the lobby, watching for her. Two cups of coffee sat next to him. She crossed the marble floor and met him. Standing, he handed her a cup. “Thanks.”

“You didn’t come to the library last night,” he said as he watched her. “I missed you.”

She smiled as she checked her watch. She had a few minutes before she needed to get upstairs to class. “I worked on the novel and then talked to my dad for a bit. I guess I was really tired because I fell asleep on the couch.”

“Okay, now I know I’m in the friend zone because you just chose sleep over being with me.” He glanced at his Rolex. “I’ve got a class. Are you busy tonight?”

“Dinner with my mom.” She walked with him toward the stairs. “Sorry.”

“You’re killing me, Catherine.” He headed to the door and before he left the building, gave her a quick wink.

Stephanie Andrews, another TA in the English department, stood beside her. “He’s not giving up.”

“Well, he needs to learn to live with disappointment then, because I’m not dating for a while. It’s too soon after Seth. I see him everywhere around town.” She headed upstairs with Stephanie. “Except here on campus. It’s the only place I don’t have memories of him and me.”

“This guy really did a number on you, huh?” Stephanie wasn’t from Aspen Hills and hadn’t gone to Covington for her undergrad. Which was one of the reasons Cat liked hanging with her so much.

“Actually, Seth was amazing. Which makes him all the harder to get over.” Cat nodded to the door where she had to go. “Do you want to grab lunch together and talk about our project?”

“Sounds good. I’ll meet you at the cafeteria. I’ll be over in the corner by the windows. I’ve got office hours until noon. See you there?”

“Perfect.” She needed to work on her fiction project to show Professor Henry on Friday at class. She couldn’t tell him she’d been writing a witchcraft academy story. He’d laugh her out of the classroom. She headed into the classroom to start her day.

* * *

Cat arrived at The Diner about fifteen minutes early, but her mother was already there. And worse, she had a margarita in front of her. Cat didn’t know her mom to drink all that much. Maybe she did on date nights, but Cat hadn’t been invited to those. She kissed her mom’s cheek and found it wet. She frowned and sat down, pulling her heavy coat off as she did. “What on earth is wrong?”

Her mom brushed her cheeks with her hands and pasted on a smile. “What gave me away?”

“The tears. Your drink. Dad said something last night.” Cat ordered a cup of coffee when the waiter came over. She set down the menu he’d given her. “Sorry I didn’t call. I fell asleep on the couch.”

“You’re pushing yourself too hard. Getting a masters in two years and working the teacher assistant position is a lot.” Her mother tapped the drink glass with a painted nail. “And don’t worry about this. I took a taxi here.”

“If I didn’t work the TA position, I’d have to go into debt just so I could sit around and study all the time. I’m not taking more money from you guys. Believe me, I’ll be fine. It’s only two years. I can do anything for two years.” Cat put the menu on the table. “Let’s get back to you. Why didn’t you come from work? What happened?”

“Mr. Hines eliminated my job. I’ve got two weeks left at the library.” Her voice hitched. “It had been such a good day. I got to see you for breakfast. Then Charlie came in and told me he really loved my banana bread. The man has a huge heart.”

“He what?” Cat couldn’t process what she was hearing. “You got fired? Why?”

Her mother shook her head. “Budget cuts. There just isn’t enough money for a second librarian and since I don’t have the right degree, I was the natural choice to let go. Besides, Tina hadn’t been there as long. She makes less than I do.”

“He fired you over money? That sucks.”

“Catherine. Your language.” Her mom sipped her drink, then smiled at her. “But yes, it does suck.”

Cat took a sip of the coffee she’d ordered then glanced at the menu. “I’m buying dinner tonight.”

“No, you’re not. I’m celebrating my new independence. I can get a job that actually pays me real money now without feeling guilty about leaving all my regular patrons. Your father and I have already talked and even if I decide to stay home, we’re fine financially. So don’t you worry about that. And unless you order one of your favorites, I’m going to order for you so you don’t skimp just to keep the bill down. Are you sure you don’t want a drink? I can have the taxi drop you off.” Her mother looked hopeful.

“I’m sure. I’ve got to write tonight. Last night I had one glass of wine at dinner and you know how that turned out.” She set the menu down. “I’m having the shrimp plate. If that’s not too much.”

“I was thinking about the same thing. Jinx.” Her mother smiled and gave their order to the waiter along with ordering another margarita. “And don’t think we’re not having dessert. You father never lets me order dessert, so we’re having it tonight.”

Cat hoped her smile looked bright to her mother, but inside, she was worried. How was a fifty-something-year-old woman supposed to start a new career? Cat knew how hard it was for her at the beginning of her career. She needed to have a talk with Mr. Hines and get him to change his mind about firing her mom. With the beginnings of a plan circling in her mind, she focused on the conversation and having a good time with her mother.

3

Alfred Hines, in addition to being a library board member, was the only practicing lawyer in Aspen Hills. He did wills, estates, land contracts, business filings, and other legal matters for town members, but his biggest clients were Covington College and the city of Aspen Hills. Cat had met him when she’d had to sign her employment contract for the teaching assistant job at Covington. The contract was over ten pages long and filled with a lot of promises of confidentiality. Cat thought those safeguards were more for the science TA’s since the professors conducted a lot of research work. English classes never changed and never had proprietary information to disseminate. Even so, she’d promised not to do that.

She was in the administration building on campus, dropping off a direct deposit slip with accounting when she passed by Hines’s office. On a whim, she knocked and tried the doorknob. A young female voice answered the knock with a friendly, “Come in.”

Cat opened the door and found herself in a waiting room, rather than the lawyer’s actual office. She approached the desk where a woman Cat’s age sat keying paperwork into a computer. She reminded Cat of the secretaries on that fifties series about advertising. Right down to the floral scarf wrapped around her neck. “Hi, is Alfred Hines in?”

“He is, but he’s with someone.” The girl leaned closer and whispered. “This drop-dead handsome guy comes in a few minutes ago dressed in a suit that must have cost the same as my car. He smiled and winks at me, then points to the door. He asks if he’s in and I nod. Then he just walks into Mr. Hines’s office. I didn’t even have time to buzz him that he had a visitor.”

Cat glanced at the door. She could hear raised voices. She turned back to the desk and saw a nameplate. “You’re Molly, right? Are they arguing?”

“Yes, that’s me.” She seemed to collect herself and realize maybe she’d said too much. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“I’m Cat Gibson. I’m a TA in the English Department. I was wondering if I could get a copy of my contract. I’ll be applying for jobs soon and wanted to really see what a college contract looks like. I’m afraid I didn’t read mine when I signed it.” Cat shrugged.

“Of course, you can get a copy.” Molly studied her keyboard. “Do you want a hard copy or just a second copy to your email? That’s where the first one was sent.”

The voices in the office were getting louder. Cat blinked. “Wow. Sorry, that’s so distracting.”

“I know. He’s had several people in his office lately unhappy, including the president of the college.” Molly stared at the door. “I’m afraid I’m going to lose my job.”

Like Mom. Maybe Mr. Hines was just in a bad mood because of whatever was going on here, and maybe she actually had a chance to change his mind and convince him not to let her mom go. Hope filled her as she refocused on Molly. “I’m sure they won’t get rid of you, regardless of what happens. Anyway, can I get a hard copy? I think my spam filter must have eaten the last one.”

“Not a problem. My printer is down so I have to go next door to get the printout. I’ll be right back.” Molly popped up from the desk and left the room through the door Cat had just come in.

Cat leaned closer to the desk to see what Molly had been working on. It appeared to be donation pledges. The university must be doing well in fundraising based on the size of the pile. She turned the top one and realized it wasn’t a pledge for the university, it was a pledge for Aspen Hills Public Library. She thumbed through several pages. They were all pledges for the library. And recent ones. She tried to run through the numbers in her head. From the size of the donations and the size of the stack, there was over a hundred thousand or even more just sitting here.

If they had a such a large amount of donations earmarked for the library budget, why was Alfred Hines’s firing her mother due to budget issues? She pulled out her phone and fanned several pages out on Molly’s desk. She took a picture of the individual pages as well as the pile. Then she straightened it and moved closer to Hines’s office door to see if she could hear anything of the conversation.

“You’re a…cheat. Lying lawyers…the …family…” The words didn’t make much sense since she’d apparently missed several of the words in between and the context. Except Hines was a cheating, lying lawyer. And she’d have to agree with that, even though she didn’t know the man.

The door opened and she stepped closer to meet Molly on her way out. Cat smiled as she reached for the papers. “Thanks for this. I’m glad I don’t have to stay here and listen to that all day.”

Molly sighed. “I think I’m taking my break now. Maybe he’ll be gone by the time I get back.”

Cat glanced at her watch. She had to be in class in ten minutes. She held up the contract. “I really appreciate this. I’d buy your coffee, but I’m teaching in a few. Maybe I can stop by tomorrow?”

Molly brightened. “I’d like that. It’s my first job here at Covington and I’m finding it hard to find my place. I know you’re probably getting a teaching job somewhere else, but it would be nice to have someone to talk with for at least a while. Come by when you’re free. I can take my break most anytime.”

As Cat left the office, she felt bad. She’d invited Molly for coffee to talk more about the library donations. But honestly, she could use a friend as well. Maybe Molly wasn’t friend material, but you couldn’t tell from one interaction. She’d always been so focused on getting her degree so she could get into a good master’s program. When she’d had free time, she’d spent that with Seth. Her folks had encouraged her to expand her friend lists, but she just hadn’t had time. Or, to be honest, she hadn’t made the time. She’d stop by tomorrow. And, yes, she’d ask about the library donations, but she’d also learn more about Molly.

Leaving the admin building, she tucked the contract into her tote. She hadn’t lied, totally. She did need to look at her contract, but she could have copied the one in her jobs file on her computer. A limo sat at the curb running, blocking the handicapped spots. Did it belong to Molly’s very attractive man in the expensive suit?

She was still staring at it, standing off on the grass so she wouldn’t be blocking the busy sidewalk when a voice sounded near her ear.

“It’s even more lovely inside. Do you want to go for a ride?”

She turned and looked into the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen. And the rest of the man wasn’t bad either. He was in his forties, at least, if she could trust the touch of grey at his temples. But that was only one thing that betrayed his age. The way he carried himself, his confidence, said he’d been around the block a few times.

“Sorry, I’m teaching a class soon. I’m afraid I’d get lost in all that premium leather.”

The man chuckled which made Cat like him even more. “Leave it to me to find the one coed on campus with a responsibility code.”

“I’m not a star-struck coed. I’m a graduate student who knows better than to fall prey to a handsome wolf on campus.” She turned to leave. “Maybe you’ll have better luck over by the student union.”

“I’m Marcus Cornelio.” He pulled out a card and handed it to her. “In case you change your mind about the ride.”

Cat smiled and took the card, not wanting to be rude. And he was amazingly handsome. “Cat Gibson. But I won’t be calling.”

He winked and moved toward his limo where a man now stood to open the door. He paused before getting inside. “You never know, Cat. Have a good class.”

She hurried to the Language Arts building and stopped at the coffee cart to grab a cup before class. She’d stayed up late last night, unable to stop her mind from racing so she’d worked on her book. She loved the way that sounded. Her character Tori’s story could be a book. It was fun and exciting and a perfect distraction.

She turned the card back and forth between her fingers. Would Marcus Cornelio tell her what he was arguing with Mr. Hines about? Cat thought he might, but she knew there would be a cost. A dinner out, a coffee date. She’d be asked for something in return. She tucked it into her wallet as she got the cash out to pay for the coffee. Something to add to the list of things to think about.

First, she needed to teach this class. English 101 wasn’t the most exciting class, but it was a building block. For both her and her students.

* * *

Later that afternoon she sat at her desk for her weekly office hours. None of her students ever came by to talk about the class or the materials, so usually, she used the time to do her own homework. Which was what she was doing now. She had her literary journal publication class tonight and she still hadn’t read the stories she’d picked up last week. They were in the submissions section of the class where they read every story sent in over the last six months. Only twelve stories would be chosen out of this pile of over five hundred, so a lot of the good stories were passed on. Three slots had been reserved for their anchor authors, but they hadn’t turned in anything yet. Which was another thing on her list. Emailing the authors or their agents and asking about the upcoming deadline.

She’d pulled out the card from the limo man, as she’d started calling him in her mind. She could just call him and ask him about the argument. And if it cost her a dinner, at least she’d be fed for a night. She set the card down by her phone.

Instead, she picked up a manuscript and chose the more enjoyable task. Soon she was lost in a story about a man who followed his wife to her new job. He was having trouble adjusting. So many of the literary stories were about a short section of one hero’s life. This guy was falling apart.

A knock sounded on her door and Michael stood in her doorway, two cups of coffee in his hands. The man knew how to make an entrance. “You always come with gifts. If you don’t stop, I’ll have to marry you or something.”

The look on his face showed his shock and she couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled up.

“Sorry, I was just kidding. I appreciate the coffee, but you don’t need to do this.” She held her hand out for the cup.

“I was getting me one and thought you might want one too. Especially since you have journal class tonight. How’s the slush pile going? Have you found a diamond yet?”

“Several but everything I’ve liked has been shot down as being too genre focused. Seriously, even the literature students have a problem with good stories.” She set down the pages she’d been reading. “Where are you off to?”

“I have a seminar on the effects of government regulation on long term economic development. It’s going to be a fascinating evening. You should skip your class and come to mine.”

“I’d need a gallon of coffee to keep me awake for that.” She sipped her coffee. “Not to be rude, but it’s just not my jam.”

“No. Stories about teenage witches and the horrors of high school are more your speed.” He picked up the card. “How do you know Marcus?”

“I don’t. He tried to pick me up outside the admin building. I think he might have some answers to some questions that came up this morning.” She took the card from him and put it in her purse. “I’m just not sure I want to pay the entry cost to the circus.”

“Smart. You need to be careful with Marcus.” Michael sipped his coffee.

“And avoid the ides of March. Why are you being cryptic? Do you know him?” Now Cat was intrigued. Maybe Michael was just posturing.

“Yes, I know him. He always has an agenda. He’s my friend’s uncle. He’s attached to the college in some official consulting position. And he’s a terrible womanizer.” He smiled. “What else can I tell you?”

Cat decided to take a shot. “Do you know anything about the budget for the Aspen Hills’ library?”

Michael blinked and set down his cup. He pulled out a notebook and wrote something. “That’s quite a change of subject. Right off hand, I don’t know anything, but the good thing about being the professor leading a seminar on governmental effects on economic stimulus, I probably can get a copy.”

“You’re a miracle worker if you can get me a copy. Can you get it soon?” Cat figured her mom had eight days of work left. Hines had given her two weeks. If she could prove that the library had the money for the position, maybe she could change the board’s mind.

“I’ll have it for you tomorrow.” Michael tucked his notebook into his jacket pocket. “I need to get going. If I’d known the key to your heart was city budgets, I would have saved a lot of money on coffee.”

“Coffee’s fine, but this budget is really going to help. Besides, we’re just friends, remember?” She watched as he picked up his cup and headed to the door.

“I’m a patient man, Catherine.” He nodded and disappeared into the hall.

Cat returned to her reading.

A few minutes later, Stephanie appeared in her doorway. She nodded to the pile. “I’m working on mine too. I was going to grab some coffee and wanted to see if you wanted to come with, but it looks like you already have one.”

Cat felt her face flush. “Yeah, I’m good.

“I knew it. I thought I saw Professor Hottie getting into the elevator. Girl, you’ve got him wrapped around your little finger.” She laughed and left the doorway.

Cat studied the coffee cup. Michael had made no secret that he wanted the conversation to go deeper than just friends. But it had been less than six months since she’d broken up with Seth. She’d thought they would be together forever and yet that hadn’t worked. What chance did she have with a guy the single women around campus called Professor Hottie? She sipped her drink. Then she muttered, “‘Never look a gift horse in the mouth’ and just be happy for the free coffee.”

When no response came from the cosmos, she picked up the manuscript. Thinking of her mom and saving her job, one last mantra fell from her lips almost automatically. “God helps those who help themselves.”

4

The next morning, Cat sat at home writing at her dining room table. She was supposed to be emailing the anchor authors for the journal, but she decided to spend an hour on her story with her main character, Tori, writing the next chapter. Then she’d frame an email that would gently nudge the authors to making their deadline. Then, tomorrow, she’d go back to the boring book she was writing for the fiction class. She groaned when her phone rang. But she picked up immediately when she saw the caller ID. “Mom? Are you all right?”

“Yes, dear. I mean, maybe. No, I’m definitely all right, but he’s not.” Her mother rambled through the words.

“What are you talking about?” Cat’s stomach tightened as she braced herself for the bad news. “Oh, no, did something happen to Dad?”

“Your father’s fine. Are you teaching today?”

Her mother was being weird. Typically, she was direct. Blunt would be a better word for her communication style, but she was probably still upset about losing her job. Cat’s eyes drifted to the last sentence she’d written. Tori was just arriving at the school that would change her life. How would that feel to a fourteen-year-old? She absently answered her mother’s question. “No, Thursdays are my off day. What’s going on? Do you want to meet for lunch? I have some news.”

“Lunch is too late. I need you to come down to the library and help me with this. I think I should call your uncle too. Come down now.”

“Mom, I’m in the middle of something. Can I come in about an hour?” Cat tore her gaze away from the screen when she didn’t get an answer. She swore when she saw her mother had hung up on her. Debating, her better nature finally won, so she saved the file and shut down the computer. When she got back to the apartment, she’d do her classwork, then spend the rest of the day playing with Tori and her new friends. As a reward for being such a good daughter, she’d stop by the Morning Bean on the way back from the library and buy a coffee and a pastry for breakfast.

She hurried to get dressed in jeans and her last clean t-shirt. Laundry had to be done this weekend. Along with shopping and cleaning the apartment. The good thing about her apartment being so small was most of that could be done in a half a day, leaving her time to read, or visit her mom for dinner on Sunday.

It took her only a few minutes to get to the library where her mother stood outside under a tree. Fall in Aspen Hills was beautiful, but it wasn’t balmy. “What are you doing out here?”

“I couldn’t stay inside alone. Not with him.” Her mother opened the door and they stepped into the foyer.

She was shaking now and Cat took her coat off to put around her mother’s shoulders. “Who is in the building? Did someone break in?”

“No. Maybe. Okay, I’m not sure.” She pointed over toward the left. “I went to clear out the book drop and well, I’ve called your uncle so don’t touch anything, but maybe I’m just seeing things.”

“Calm down, Mom.” Cat looked over toward the book drop. The old building had a large slot that fed books directly into the building onto a table. At first, she saw nothing but books. It was a pretty big pile and several had fallen of the table and onto the floor. She stepped closer, ignoring her mother’s protests. If someone was here playing a prank at her mother’s expense, she’d deal with it. “Who’s there?”

“He can’t answer, Cat,” her mom called out.

She was about to ask why he couldn’t answer when she saw the body lying under the table on a pile of books. A small knife appeared to be stuck in his throat. She went back to stand with her mother just inside the library doorway.

When her uncle arrived, Cat took her mother back to the break room to get a cup of tea. She was still shaking even under Cat’s heavy winter Columbia ski coat. Cat could ski runs all day up and down the mountain and stay warm, but her mother was still cold. She wondered if it was shock.

She set the cup of microwaved hot water in front of her mom and poured some sugar in it. Then she put in a tea bag. “That should be ready soon.”

“I don’t take sugar in my tea. That’s your father.” Her mother said in a distracted tone.

“I heard sugar helps in times like this.” Cat didn’t want to say if you’re going into shock, but she didn’t like the way her mother looked. “Speaking of Dad, should I call him and tell him to come home?”

“No, don’t call your father. Let’s figure out what’s going on. I hope it’s not Charlie. I really like him but I know that living on the street is hard. Maybe he came in from the cold and he couldn’t get warm. I might have left the door unlocked when I left last night. It’s been a busy week and I was distracted with the firing and all. Do you think that’s what happened?” Her mother looked up at her with hope in her eyes.

Apparently, Mom hadn’t seen the steak knife. Cat needed to change the subject. She pointed to a loaf of banana bread. “Is that one you baked?”

“Of course. Tina’s a nice girl but she doesn’t bake. I brought in one on Monday and Charlie liked it so much, I made another one last night. I stopped here first to drop the bread off and put my coat and purse in my locker. Then I went back out front to the book drop. Getting those books checked in is always my first priority. People are on waiting lists so long especially with the newer books. Anyway, I went to the front, and…” She dunked the tea bag absently. “I called you and your uncle.”

Cat decided to stop asking questions All it seemed to do was take her mom back to seeing the body. From what she was saying, her mom hadn’t seen who was lying dead in the front of the library. Cat started a pot of coffee since her uncle would be needing a cup after this. And Cat definitely needed one. There’d be no stopping at The Morning Bean now. And, no matter what her mother said, she was going to call her father the first moment she was alone.

She poured her coffee and sat at the table with her mother.

“I’m sorry I called you. With your father out of town, I didn’t have anyone else to call.” Her mother sipped her tea. Her hands had stopped shaking and Cat thought she heard some of the spine her mother always exuded in the tone of her voice.

“You can always call me.” She heard footsteps in the hallway and her uncle appeared, his hat in his hand.

“Loraine, you need to put up a closed sign and lock the front door. I’ll station a guy there until we get the body out and the sweepers have been in to do their thing. Did either of you touch anything?”

“No,” Cat said quickly. “At least not until we got in here.”

“Not ideal, but okay.” He looked at his sister. “Lori? Did you touch the body or anything around him?”

Her mother looked up. “I started to. I couldn’t see his face. I reached down, but then I realized he was dead so I stepped away and went outside to call Cat.”

“So you didn’t touch the body or the knife?” He repeated the question.

Loraine shook her head. “No. I’m afraid to say the poor man scared me. I’m too old to be freaking out when I see a dead body, right?”

“Everyone reacts differently.” Cat put her hand over her mom’s. It might have stopped shaking, but she was icy cold. She focused on her uncle. “Can I take her home?”

“If that’s all you know, then yes, you can take her home. I’ll come by and get a statement later.” He held out his hand. “Give me the keys to the library and I’ll lock up. If you want to wait, I can drive you to the house.”

“We’ll walk. Maybe that will get her blood running again.” Cat glanced around the room. “Where’s your locker, Mom?”

“Over there, number seven.” She pointed to a corner behind the door. “It’s not locked. Nothing bad ever happens here.”

Her Mom blanched as she processed what she’d just said.

“I mean, nothing bad had happened here before.”

Cat knew that after today, there would always be a before and an after for her memories of the library. A place she loved. And a place that Alfred Hines was not going to take away from her.

She got the coat and her mother’s purse from the locker and was back at the table when a man came rushing into the break room, two cops on his tail.

“Are you all right? I thought Tina opened on Thursdays?” The homeless man—Charlie, Cat corrected herself, knelt in front of her mother.

“Oh, Charlie, it was awful. I’ll never forget finding a body like that.” She looked up and gave the man a quick hug. “I’m so glad it wasn’t you. I was worried.”

Cat and her uncle exchanged a glance.

“I’m sorry, you need to leave the building. This is a police investigation.” Uncle Pete put a hand on the man’s shoulder only to be shrugged off. “I said…”

Cat’s mother held up a hand to stop her brother. “Pete, let me talk to him. Charlie, you need to leave. You can’t stay in here. They need to find out what happened to this man. Do you have somewhere else to go?”

He nodded. Then he stood and glared at Uncle Pete. “I can take care of myself, don’t worry.”

Cat watched as he walked out, the two cops at his side. A third stayed back and looked at Uncle Pete.

“Sorry, sir. He just bulldozed his way through. Tex was telling him the library was closed and then I guess I said something about your sister being such a good person, and he just flew inside.” He nodded toward Loraine. “I don’t know if you remember me, Mrs. Gibson, but you were one of the leaders for my youth group at the church.”

“Of course, I remember you, Cody. How are your folks? I don’t see them much anymore since they divided the service into two time slots.” Her mother turned toward the deputy. Her smile was shaky but genuine.

“They’re fine, thanks for asking.” Cody held his hat in his hand. “I’ll tell them you asked about them.”

Cat could tell her mother was starting to feel like herself. “Mom, let’s get out of here and let them do their work. Can we leave by the back door?”

“Yes, let me give your uncle the keys and we can go. Maybe we can stop by The Morning Bean and get a cup of hot cocoa to go? I think I’d like something to warm me up.” She stood and dug through her purse. Then checked her coat pockets. “Here they are. You’ll need to throw the deadbolt on the back door when we leave. The keyed lock doesn’t work anymore.”

Cat stepped toward the door and frowned. “Mom, did you come in the back?”

“No, I always come in the front so I can turn on the lights. The break room switch is over on that wall.” She pointed to the doorway where they’d come into the room. “Why?”

Cat met her uncle’s gaze. “Because the back door is unlocked and cracked open.”

* * *

Cat had just taken a quart of vegetable beef soup out of her mom’s freezer for their lunch. Her mom sat at the kitchen table, sipping another cup of coffee. She was going to be so wired on caffeine, she’d never get to sleep. Cat scanned the fridge and found some sparkling water. She took out two bottles and went to the table, setting one in front of Mom.

Mom smiled and took one last sip of coffee and then pushed the cup away from her. “You’re right, of course. I’ll never get to sleep tonight. I may not anyway after seeing that man lying there.”

Cat took the cup and put it in the sink. “I’ve started soup and I saw homemade bread we can toast with some butter or we could do sandwiches too.”

“Bread’s fine. I’m not sure I’ll have much of an appetite.” She opened her water and took a sip. “This is what I needed, thank you.”

Cat sat across from her and she opened a notebook she always carried in her tote. “Maybe we can talk through some of this so you’ll be more comfortable when Uncle Pete comes by to interview you. Did you see who it was?”

“The body?” Her mom shook her head. “No, I just saw the legs and the chest. He had books under him. My first thought was someone was sleeping on the pile of books. I worry about the books. Will we have to throw those away? Is that stupid? I feel like not such a nice person because I’m worried about the books.”

“Mom, you’re just trying to deal with what you saw. You’re probably in shock.” Cat decided this was a really bad idea. “Okay, let’s change the subject. I think we can petition the board to get your job back. I don’t think they had the full story.”

“What do you mean? If there isn’t money in the budget, I don’t want to work for free. I may not make much but that’s our vacation fund. And I want to have something put away for retirement. Your father can’t be expected to shoulder all the financial burden.” She eyed the stove. “Did you turn the soup on high? You probably should let it warm slowly.”

“The soup’s fine.” Cat sighed as she found the pictures she took with her phone. “Anyway, back to the subject. The budget the city has on file only has a few hundred dollars listed as fundraising income.”

“Yes, that’s true. I guess the outreach we did over summer didn’t raise as much as we’d thought.” Her mom sipped her water. “It was a cute campaign too. We did a video of the kids reviewing their favorite books. At the end, it was a call to donate, to keep the summer reading program going.”

Cat handed her the phone with the picture of the five donation sheets. “There’s more than a few hundred dollars in pledges right there.”

Her mom squinted, then picked up her reading glasses sitting next to today’s paper. “These are the donation forms I made for the video. We sent this form and the video to every store in town and the college sent it to their donor list as well. That’s why I was thinking we’d get at least a couple thousand back.”

“There is close to two thousand right there.” Cat took back the phone and found the second picture. “And there has to be another hundred forms in this pile. Those are all donation pledges.”

“Mr. Hines said there weren’t very many responses.” She looked up at Cat. “Where did you get these pictures?”

“I went to Hines’s office to try to talk him into giving your job back. He was arguing with this guy who’s Michael’s friend’s uncle.” Cat saw the look her mother gave her when she mentioned Michael, but she waved it off. “Don’t be like that. Anyway, the admin was keying these pledges in. When she went to get a copy of my TA contract, I read them and took the pictures. I think he’s hiding money from the council. At worse, I know he lied to you about why you were fired.”

“What’s wrong with your TA contract?” Her mother’s concern pinpointed the one lie in the story and Cat wasn’t surprised.

Cat shook her head. “Nothing. I used it as an excuse to be there. I told Molly, she’s the admin, that I wanted to review it in case I needed to review a contract when I got a job next year.”

“That was smart. But how do you know who Mr. Hines was fighting with?” Her mother stood and went to stir the soup.

“Does it matter?” Cat waited but her mother didn’t answer. Which meant, yes, it does matter or I wouldn’t have asked you. “Okay, fine, I talked to the guy because he had a huge limo parked outside the administration building. He asked me if I wanted to take a ride. I said no. But he gave me his card. When Michael saw it in my office, he said it was his friend’s uncle. And he told me to be careful.”

“Well, at least he gave you good advice there.” Her mother returned to where she’d been sitting. “What was this rich guy’s name?”

“Marcus Cornelio.” Cat saw the flash of fear in her mother’s eyes before she shut it down. “What? Do you know him?”

“Let’s just say that he and his types are why I’ve asked you not to consider any of the Covington people, especially the men, as friends or romantic interests.” She tapped her finger on the table. “I’m pretty sure you’ve been told to stay away from those people.”

“And what is it about those people that you’re not telling me?” Cat fired back.

A knock sounded at the door and Cat stood to answer it. She took a deep breath, trying to push back the anger that her mother’s order was causing in her system. Every time she thought they were on good terms, some stupid rule like don’t date Covington men came into play. Cat wondered if her mother would ever see her as an adult.

Uncle Pete stood on the side porch. Anyone else would have gone to the front door, but her uncle knew that her mom and dad mostly spent time in the kitchen when they were home. “Hey, Cat. How’s your mom?”

“Good enough to try to start a fight just now.” She held open the door. “We have soup on if you want some lunch.”

“That would be awesome.” He took off his hat and coat and hung them on the hooks on the wall. “Hey, Lori. How are you?”

“Well, I’m not deaf and I didn’t start a fight with my daughter. She is just testing the boundaries around Covington. Again.” A look passed between her and Uncle Pete. “Did you do what I asked, before?”

“Yes, ma’am. From what I can find out, he’s not connected, but his best friend is in deep.” He sat and nodded to the water glass Cat had just put in front of him. “Are you out of coffee in this house?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Cat took the water away and then walked over and poured him a cup. “So, are you talking about the murder?”

He shook his head. “No, I was just doing some work for your mom.”

“No one in this family is a good liar, you know that, right?” Cat studied the two of them who now wore blank expressions. “Okay fine, do we eat first and then kick me out so you can talk to Mom or what?”

“I think it’s best if I talk to your mother alone.” He nodded to the kitchen. “I’ll wash up and help get the meal on the table.”

Cat glanced at her mom who had moved into hostess mode and was getting out bowls. “Do you want me to slice the bread?”

“Please. I’ll dish up the soup and take it to the table. I’ve already turned the oven on to broil.” She moved around the kitchen like she was dancing in a ballroom. A grace Cat had always found enchanting.

Cat reached for the slicing knife in the block. It wasn’t there. She looked in the sink and finally in the dishwasher. “Where’s the bread knife?”

“Oh, I left that at the office.” She opened a drawer and handed Cat a knife that looked a lot like the one that had been in the dead guy’s throat. “Use this one.”

5

Cat’s mom had refused her offer to help with the lunch dishes so instead she headed back to her apartment. She’d just finished her reading for the next week when the phone rang again. She frowned at the caller ID. “Uncle Pete. Is Mom all right?”

“She’s fine. She just told me you went to Alfred Hines’s office yesterday.” He paused. “Is that true? And if so, why did you go there.?”

“Yes, it’s true. You know Mom can’t tell a lie to save herself. I went to talk to him about getting her job back. That idiot fired her for no reason. He told her it was because of budget cuts, but I know they got a ton of money donated to the library that would have more than paid for mom’s salary. I think he’s stealing from the library. Can we investigate that?”

“Cat, slow down a bit. Where are you? I need to talk to you in person.”

“My apartment.” Cat glanced around the living room. It wasn’t too messy. Cluttered with schoolbooks and papers, but she was a teacher. That was the way her workspace was supposed to look, right? Or was that scientists? She looked longingly at her laptop. There was no way she was going to be left alone long enough for her to be able to get some words in today. But family came first. And her uncle sounded upset.

“I’ll be there in ten. Don’t go anywhere.”

Cat made a salute to the phone as she turned it off. “Where would I go? I’m supposed to be working.”

Cat gathered up the towels in the kitchen and bathroom. Then she took off the sheets and pillowcases from her bed and threw those into the washer along with the towels. She might as well be productive. She couldn’t focus enough to do either her class work or write so this would have to do. She stacked her dirty dishes and filled a sink full of hot soapy water. She loved the feel of doing dishes by hand. Since she didn’t have a dishwasher, that was a good thing. She let them sit for a few minutes while she updated her shopping list for Saturday. Maybe if she got a few things off her list, she could spend time on this book. She wished she had someone she could show it to or even talk about the writing process with. She needed to find a writing group. Maybe one in Denver. Who wouldn’t be tempted to chat with her fellow graduate students about how Cat was spending her writing time.

She’d just written a reminder in her planner when a knock sounded at her door. She opened it and let her uncle inside.

“I didn’t hear you disarm the chain.” He strode inside. “Is it broke? Do you need to call the apartment manager to get it fixed?”

“I didn’t have it on.” She glanced toward the table. “Do you want something to drink?”

“No, I won’t be here long. Tell me why you were at Alfred Hines’s office.”

She folded her arms and stared at him. “Why do you want to know?”

“Cat, he’s the body we found at the library. Your mother could be in trouble on this if we can’t prove she was somewhere else when he died.” He sank into a chair and took off his hat, rubbing a hand over his hair.

“Because she was home alone?” Cat didn’t think that could be enough of a motive, but she didn’t know how murder trials worked, except how they showed them on television. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

“No, that’s not why. Or not the whole reason.” He paused then jumped into what he hadn’t wanted to say. “Cat, the knife that killed him was your mom’s. It was taken from the body.”

“That knife was there to cut the banana bread she’d been taking in to share. Someone else must have used it.” Cat explained again why she’d visited the office that day and what she’d found. “Maybe it’s about the library budget, not Mom being fired.”

“That’s a good theory.” He wrote the information down and had her send the photos she’d taken to his email. “Now delete these pictures. You need to stay out of this.”

“Okay, but do you want a copy of the library budget?” She held up her phone. “I can email you one.”

“Where in the heck—” He held up a hand. “Wait, don’t tell me. I can get an official copy myself. You just stay out of this. No going to the board for your mom. We’ll figure this out.”

“You know Mom couldn’t kill anyone, right?” She studied her uncle’s face, hoping his answer would alleviate her worry.

He stood and pulled her into a hug. “Now don’t you worry about anything Miss Kitty. Your mother isn’t going to go down for something she didn’t do.”

She breathed in the scent of his Old Spice, and a feeling of calm overwhelmed her. He’d always been there for her. When she was mad at her folks, she talked to Uncle Pete. When she was upset with Seth, she talked to Uncle Pete. He was her rock. “I trust you. But I could help with this.”

“No, Cat, you can’t. You’re not an investigator and there are some things about Aspen Hills that you are better off not knowing. Just go back to getting that degree and finding your life. You deserve to focus on you for a while.” He tucked the notebook into his shirt pocket and picked up his hat and coat. “So, you’re going to do what?”

Cat was glad that she had her hand in the pocket of her sweat jacket and she crossed her fingers before she spoke. An old kid’s trick, but one she’d use for today to keep from having to lie to her uncle. “I’m going to stay out of the investigation.”

He laughed as he opened the door. “And if I believe that, I’m an idiot. Just don’t get yourself killed out there, okay?”

After he left, she tried to get lost in writing, but she gave up after staring at the same page for over an hour. Instead, she put on running clothes and planned a run through town. Aspen Hills wasn’t big so if she took Main street down to First street, then went up to River Street, she’d have mostly clear sidewalks to run to Campus Drive where she’d hit the running paths through Covington, then she could come back down Fourteenth and go to Warm Springs Avenue. She loved running that part of town because of the old Victorian houses that lined the street. Someday, she was going to buy one of those houses. Maybe open a tea house inside. She tucked her house keys and a credit card into her running jacket and headed out. Running always cleared her head.

When she got to the park, Charlie sat on one of the benches. This time, he had a golden Lab mix beside him. She took out her earphones and paused in front of him. “Hey, Charlie.”

“Hey, nice lady. I saw you at the coffee shop. This is Star Jones. He’s my friend.” Charlie reached down and rubbed the dog’s head. “He can’t go to the shelter because he’s not human.”

“Nice to meet you, Star Jones.” She wished she’d brought some cash with her. But no, just a credit card. “Charlie, are you okay? I saw you at the library. Mrs. Gibson is my mom.”

He stared at her hard, then nodded. “I can see that. Mrs. Gibson is very nice. And she makes very good banana bread. Star Jones likes the library. He sleeps under the table when I read.”

Cat thought about the back door lock being broken. She didn’t want to push him, but if he’d killed Mr. Hines, Uncle Pete needed to know. “Do you visit the library a lot? Maybe at night?”

He looked down and didn’t meet her gaze. “I don’t hurt nothing. I just sleep there. It’s warm and sometimes people leave food in the refrigerator.”

Cat’s mom had been complaining that someone had been stealing her lunches she’d left at work. Now Cat thought she knew who. “Were you there the other night? When the man was killed?”

“I’ve got to take Star Jones for a walk.” He stood and gathered his things. “You have a nice day.”

And all of a sudden, he was gone. She’d call her uncle, but he’d remind her that she’d promised to stay out of things. Right now, it was a good thing her mother was staying home away from the library. As much as Charlie liked her, if he was challenged, who knew how he’d react. She had to talk to her uncle, even if it got her in trouble. It wouldn’t be the first time.

She put her headphones back in and finished her run. She was on Warm Springs when she heard a yell from one of the oversized porches. She turned but kept jogging in place.

“Hey, Cat? Is that you?” Marcus Cornelio ran down the driveway and jogged toward her. “I’ve been wondering why you haven’t called.”

She took out her earphones again. Usually when she ran it was an hour of quiet contemplation. Today her run had been a freaking social hour. “I wasn’t planning on calling.”

He held a hand against his heart. “Now you’re just being mean. Seriously? You don’t see a future for us?”

“Mr. Cornelio, I don’t know you. I’m not in the market for a boyfriend. And I don’t need a ride anywhere.”

He smiled at her. “Call me Marcus, please.”

She glanced at the large, elegant Victorian. “Is that your house?”

“Now I see I have your attention. Yes, my family bought it a few years ago when my brother’s son started college here. Now it’s used for family visits and when I need to be here for business.” He cocked his head sideways. “Do you want a tour?”

Cat did, badly, but she shook her head. “Sorry, no time. I’ve got to be going. It was nice to see you again, Mr. Cornelio.”

He laughed as she ran away. “You’re breaking my heart here, Cat.”

By the time she got home, she felt ready to crash. She took a quart of soup out of the freezer and put it in the microwave to thaw while she showered from her run. Twenty minutes later, she vegged in front of her television when her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the phone number, but she decided not to let it just go to voice mail. “Hello?”

“Miss Gibson? This is Sergeant Allison from the campus police.”

“Yes, this is Cat. What can I help you with, Sergeant?” Cat muted the television.

“I’m sorry to tell you, but your office was vandalized this afternoon. Could you come down and see if there is anything out of place? I mean, besides the mess?”

Sighing, Cat pulled herself out of the comfortable couch. “Of course. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Is Aspen Hills’ police on site yet?”

“Actually, your uncle is on his way to pick you up now,” a voice called from the other end of the line. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ll see you in a few.”

She turned the soup off and put a lid on the pot. Hopefully, she’d be home soon enough to eat and catch the end of the movie she’d been watching. She picked up her phone and saw the text from her uncle. He was downstairs, waiting.

She texted a quick response and slipped on tennis shoes and her coat. She grabbed her purse and house keys, shutting and locking the apartment door. What the heck was happening in Aspen Hills and why were she and her family in the middle of it?

She hurried down the stairs and saw Uncle Pete’s Challenger idling in front of the building. She pulled open the door and checked to make sure it was her uncle. Things were just too weird right now.

Uncle Pete stared at her. “Are you getting in or have I grown a second head?”

She slipped into the seat. “It’s just been a day.”

“Yeah. Sorry about your office. Any troublemakers in your classes?” He turned on his blinker and pulled the car out into the street.

“Not a one. I don’t even have anyone I’ll be surprising with a bad grade. I’ve already done my face-to-face counseling with the few who may not finish the course. It’s an amazing group of kids.” She scratched her neck. “You don’t think it’s vandals, anyway, do you?”

“What I think and what I can prove are two different things. Would it surprise you that when I asked for a copy of the library budget, it showed clear funding for your mother’s position?” He didn’t look at her, he just drove.

“Then why did Mr. Hines fire her?” Cat didn’t understand what was going on now.

Now Uncle Pete did turn to look at her. “According to the library administrator, he didn’t know anything about anyone being fired. But he did say they just got word of a huge increase for the budget. That the money just seemed to appear in the account.”

“I’ll send you the budget I saw. It didn’t have enough money to pay for one position, not two, like they have.” Cat got into her email program and forwarded the budget and Michael’s email. “Something’s going on and it looks like they’re covering something up. Like maybe Hines was trying to steal from the library fund.”

“I think you might be right. But the most popular theory is that Charlie broke into the library and when Mr. Hines found him, Charlie killed him.” He parked the car into a spot in front of the Language Arts building. He climbed out of the car.

“Uncle Pete.” Cat got out of the car and started following him.

“Don’t even start. Your mother has already told me that there is no way Charlie is involved in this. I just need to find some real evidence that supports my sister’s crazy assertion. I swear, she’d rather she was the one people were looking at than Charlie.” He nodded to the coffee cart. “You go on upstairs and talk to the campus security. I’ll bring up a coffee for you.”

“Make it hot chocolate.” Cat turned and headed up the stairs. She should have known that her uncle had the Charlie angle under control. Now she didn’t have to confess to talking to him. She turned the corner and saw Sergeant Allison standing guard outside her office. She moved through the hallway and stopped in front of him, not looking inside the room. “How bad is it?”

“Your office? Someone just turned over some things. I think he was looking for something.” Sergeant Allison peered at her. “You aren’t selling drugs out of your office now, are you?”

“What?” Cat asked, but she wasn’t sure it came out as a real word or was just more of a squeak. She shook her head. “I don’t do drugs. I don’t sell drugs. I’m not sure I’d even know where to go to buy drugs.”

“I thought maybe since you grew up here in Aspen Hills.” He shuffled, uncomfortable.

“Well, you thought wrong. I like a good glass of wine now and then, but I don’t do drugs. And I didn’t in high school either. It’s just not done when your uncle is a cop.” She stared at him, wondering what had led him to that conclusion. “Anyway, can I go inside?”

He nodded. “Just let me know what’s missing, if anything.”

Cat took a deep breath and pulled open the door. Her desk was on its side. The office chair lay on the floor as did the two uncomfortable visitor chairs. Her bookcase was turned over and books were strewn around the room. She picked up a copy of a hardcover Stephen King she’d found at a yard sale when she’d been building her office library last summer after she’d been accepted into the program.

What was missing? She had no idea. All she knew was someone came and stirred up her office like it had been a batch of stew on the stove. She pushed one of the bookcases back into place and started stacking books on the shelves. She didn’t realize she was crying until Uncle Pete stilled her hand and took the book she’d just picked up and set it onto a shelf. He replaced the book with a cup of hot cocoa.

“Why don’t you go out to the hallway and sit for a minute? Did you notice anything out of place?” He shook his head. “Sorry, I know everything’s out of place but you know what I mean.”

Cat shook her head. “Take me home unless you need me here. I need to get out of here before I scream.”

“Okay, I can do that.” He took her arm and led her out of the office. When they went past Sergeant Allison, he paused. “Lock that place up. I’m taking her home.”

Allison’s eyes flashed in anger. “I haven’t questioned her yet.”

“It will have to wait. She’s had a tough day. And you did have some time, why didn’t you use it before sending her in to clean up her office?” He shook his head. “Don’t get me started. Just lock the door.”

Cat looked over at her uncle once they were both back into the car. “You don’t think it’s vandals, do you?”

He shook his head. “How do you feel about staying with your mom for a few nights? I’d feel safer if someone was with her. I’ll be over there tonight, but could you go over tomorrow?”

She was so tired, it felt like she’d been hit by a laser beam or something to suck all the energy from her body. Of course, that only happened in the books and movies that she loved. Not in her real life.

6

The good thing about having an early Friday class to teach was half the time, the students were typically either mentally or physically already off for the weekend. Cat estimated about half the class was here for her Friday lecture. She’d even tried doing pop quizzes on Friday, but then she had to do makeups after the missing students all somehow got doctors’ notes for missing the class. Even those she’d see at the bar later that night. Covington was special. She just had to accept it. She finished her lecture, gave out the homework assignment for Monday and let the class out fifteen minutes early, after making sure no one had questions or wanted a discussion.

She needed to get to her office and get it cleaned up. She didn’t keep anything of monetary value there, besides the books. Throwing away a damaged book was painful, even though she knew she could usually replace it. It was the idea of losing something she’d spent time with.

Stephanie met her at the door as soon as she walked through the hallway. “Oh, Cat, I’m so sorry about the break in. I heard as soon as I arrived this morning. Did they take anything?”

Cat unlocked the door and waved a hand at the mess. “From what I can tell, no. I mean, there could be books gone, but who steals an ancient copy of the Scarlet Letter. Or a romance? My collection here was more for lending out to students for writing exploration not literary study. And none of them were worth more than the couple bucks you can get for them at the used bookstore.”

Stephanie whistled. “That’s a mess. I don’t have class until after lunch. Let me help get this all cleaned up.”

Cat wanted to turn her down, as it seemed intrusive. But she knew if she didn’t accept help, she’d be here the entire weekend. And she’d never get the desk upright. “Okay, thanks.”

“Seriously, I saw that look. You were thinking about turning me down, weren’t you?” Stephanie stepped into the room and started to pick books up off the floor. “Someday you’re going to have to realize you don’t have to be the Lone Ranger in this life. Girl, I consider you a friend, and as soon as I get dumped by my next ex, you’re going to be bringing me boxes of tissues for weeks.”

Cat laughed and picked up the coat rack blocking the walkway. She hung her coat and her tote on it. “I haven’t had a real friend for years. I guess when I was dating Seth, that’s all I had time for. Then when I looked around, the girls I had hung out with had all moved away.”

“We’ll get you trained in the art of friendships. My mama always said boys will come and go, but the people who are your true friends will always be in your heart. And, besides, it’s fun to go to girls’ night at the bar once in a while.” Stephanie chatted about this and that while they worked on getting the bookshelves set back up.

“Go ahead and just put them on shelves. I’ll go through them later and rearrange how I want them,” Cat said. All of a sudden, she felt herself being pulled into an embrace. She looked up into Michael’s blue eyes.

“Cat, are you all right? I just heard. Why didn’t you call me?” Michael held her tightly, then let her loose, holding her at arm’s length to check for injuries.

“I wasn’t here when the break in happened.” She pushed his arms down and stepped back away from him. She felt her face grow instantly hot as she glanced over at Stephanie.

“Hey, Cat, I’m going to go grab us some coffee. I’ll be right back.” Stephanie made eye contact and giving her a small thumbs up behind Michael’s back.

Michael waited for her to leave the room and then stepped closer. “I’m sorry, I expected you to be alone.”

“Michael, we’re not dating. There are already enough rumors going around about us. I can’t have you running into my office all upset because you think something happened to me.” She leaned against the upturned desk.

He ran his fingers through his hair, clearly upset. “Sorry, I was just worried.”

They stood there, looking at each other for what seemed to be forever. Then she sighed. “I’ve been told I don’t let people into my life easily. I’m sorry I overreacted to a friend’s concern. Thank you for stopping by.”

“Can I help you turn the desk over at least?” He stepped over to the World War II era steel monstrosity that TAs all got for their offices. “I can’t believe anyone actually got this turned over by themselves.”

“Good point, maybe there were two vandals.” Cat walked over to the edge where he stood. “I think if someone wanted to flip it, like this, it would be pretty easy. And they didn’t do anything but just tip it over. Lifting it back up, on the other hand, I do need your help for that.”

He knelt beside her and leveraged his fingers under the lip of the desk.

Cat followed his lead and when they were both in place, he looked at her.

“Try to use your legs, not your back. On three, okay?” When she nodded, he counted out, “One, two, three.”

Her muscles screamed with the weight, but they got the desk turned over on the first try. She found her chair and flipped it upright, then sank into the slightly padded seat. “Okay, I need to add weight training back to my routine.”

He chuckled glancing around the room. “Moving all those books is going to catch up to you tomorrow as well. If there isn’t anything else, I’ll leave you to it.”

“Michael,” she called after him. When he stopped and turned around, she stood. “Thank you for helping. And for being concerned. I appreciate it.”

A small smile teased his lips. “Now was that so hard?”

Before she could answer, he picked up a silk scarf that had been under the desk. He set it on top and nodded. “I’ll let you make the next move. Or not.”

She watched him leave, then glanced at the scarf, picking it up. She’d seen this somewhere. It wasn’t hers; she wasn’t much of a scarf person. Unless it was a knit scarf to keep warm in the winter. This one was long and slender and smelled of a floral perfume.

“That’s pretty. Did the professor give that to you?” Stephanie came back into the room with two coffees and set one down on top of the desk. “I hope it’s still hot. I was giving him some time alone with you.”

“The professor? I thought you were calling him Professor Hottie?” Cat sipped the still hot coffee and thought about the scarf. She’d assumed the vandal had been a male. What if it was a woman? A very angry woman? Did Michael have secret admirers who were tired of his attention to a new TA?

“I like the professor better. More dignified.”

“You know he has a name.” Cat twisted in the chair, hoping that her back wasn’t going to start hurting like she assumed it would.

“Yeah, but this is more fun.” She glanced around the room. “Have you determined if anything is missing yet?”

Cat shook her head. Nothing gone that she could see. At least her file cabinet had been locked so all her papers weren’t strewn around the room. In fact, the file cabinet hadn’t even been touched or at least not moved. She touched the locked dark metal drawer and her hand came back covered with a white powder. They’d dusted for prints, of course. There was black and white powder everywhere. Tomorrow she’d come back with some cleaning supplies and clean every surface in the room. Today was just about getting everything off the floor. “At least they didn’t destroy the books. It looks like someone came in and had a hissy fit, as my mom used to say.”

Stephanie took another sip of coffee then stood up. “If we’re going to get this done before noon, we better get moving. I’ll probably have a poorly attended class, but I like to be there for the ones who are at Covington for an education, not just the parties.”

* * *

Cat called her mother as she walked home. It took several rings before she picked up the phone. “Hey, Mom, how are you?”

“I’m fine dear, but I’m at work. I have a break in the line so I have a few minutes. Everyone’s coming to chat about the murder. They’re very disappointed when I tell them I don’t comment on ongoing investigations.”

Cat stopped in the middle of the quad and sat on a bench. “Wait, you’re at work? I thought you were fired?”

“Apparently, Mr. Hines was mistaken or had his own agenda like you thought. The chairman of the board, Alice Borden, called me this morning and apologized for the terrible mistake. She even gave me a raise.” Mom’s voice dropped to a whisper. “A dollar more an hour, can you believe it? Your father’s going to be so happy. Of course, he’ll put the entire thing into my retirement account. Maybe I just won’t tell him.”

“You’d hide that from Dad?” Cat watched as a student jogged through the quad. Other than that, it was just her and the squirrels.

“You know I won’t. But it’s a tempting thought. Anyway, I’ve got to go. I’m working late tonight to get things ready for tomorrow. We have a ten o’clock reading in the children’s center and nothing’s been done for the event.”

“Okay, Mom. We’ll talk later.”

“Sounds good. Eat something healthy tonight, okay?”

Cat smiled as she answered. “Friday fish night. Which means tater tots. So maybe I’ll add a salad.”

“You better. Got to go. Love you.”

And Cat heard the click of the phone going off. Her mother was back to work and the guy who fired her was dead. If that didn’t seem suspicious to anyone else, it did to her. Cat glanced at the admin building and then her watch. It was just after three. Molly should still be working unless they had fired her due to Mr. Hine’s death.

She made her way to the first-floor office she’d found earlier this week on a whim. She pulled open the door and saw Molly at her desk working on the computer. “Knock, knock. Mind if I come in?”

Molly looked up and shock filled her face. At least Cat thought it was shock. The woman was probably just waiting for someone to come in and tell her it was her last day.

“Of course, come in. It’s Cat, right?” Molly stood and smoothed out her skirt. Most of the staff who worked at the college looked like the students who attended. Jeans and t-shirts. But Molly looked like she’d stepped out of a 1950s advertisement for the perfect secretary. If Cat remembered right, she’d been in a dress last time she’d visited Hines’s office as well. “I just wanted to stop in and see if you were okay. I heard about what happened to Mr. Hines.”

“It’s awful, isn’t it? I can’t believe he’s gone. I mean, he was a horrible man, but who would want him dead?” She sat back down in her seat and sighed. “The college has been wonderful. They said my job is fine and I’ll be working with the new college lawyer when they hire one.”

“That must be a relief.” Cat stood in front of the desk. Molly didn’t have visitor chairs except for the sofa where Mr. Hines’s visitors would wait. “Anyway, I just wanted to check in. Maybe we can get coffee next week.”

Molly popped back up from her chair. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

Cat said goodbye and headed to the street that would take her back to the apartment. She had everything she needed for dinner. Tomorrow she’d go back and clean her office. Then she’d go for a ride. And Sunday, she’d finish cleaning the apartment.

The break in had been a pain, but she had things under control.

She was almost home when she realized Molly’s perfume smelled familiar. Her eyes widened as she remembered where she’d smelled it before.

She waited until she got home and texted her uncle. When you start a text with the words, this is weird, but, it got people’s attention. He called her a few minutes later.

“Exactly what are you saying about the break in?” No hello or greeting.

Cat explained what happened and how she’d found a scarf that wasn’t hers when she cleaned up her office. Then she dove in and told him how she’d stopped by to see how Molly was doing.

“Because the two of you are such close friends.”

Exasperated, she blew out a breath. “No, but it doesn’t hurt to be nice. Mom’s always saying I need to open up to people more, especially now that Seth and I aren’t joined at the hip.”

“Okay, okay. Don’t get huffy. I’ll give you this one. But you and I both know it was more to check on what she knew about Hines’s death. Anyway, are you sure the scarf doesn’t belong to your mother? She’s always wearing things like that.”

That idea hadn’t occurred to her. “I’m going over tomorrow to clean up the powder your guys left all over my office. I’ll take a picture of the scarf and send it to Mom. Did you know she’s back at work? I guess the board didn’t know Hines was firing her.”

“Sounds odd. More likely they didn’t want to be sued for wrongful termination. Lying about why you’re firing someone isn’t kosher. I’m not sure it’s illegal, but it does give the lawyers something to hang a suit on. And you know everyone’s looking to see just how deep Aspen Hills’ pockets are. Especially with Covington here.”

“I don’t understand. We’re a small town. Why would there be a lot of money in the city coffers?”

Uncle Pete ignored her question. “Look, I’ve got to go. Take a Ziploc bag with you tomorrow and put the scarf inside. I’ll drop over and pick it up sometime tomorrow. How late are you going to be working?”

“Hopefully not past noon. I’d like to take a bike ride out to the lake. It’s supposed to be one of our last amazing days before winter hits.”

“I’ll be there around ten. Call me if you’re going to leave earlier.” He paused. “And keep your phone charged and nearby. Just in case.”

“Now, why would you say that?” Cat asked, but there was no answer. When she looked at the phone, her uncle had terminated the call. Things were getting weirder and weirder to paraphrase the fictional Alice.

7

Cat had stuffed a backpack with cleaning supplies, rags, and a couple of plastic bags, just in case she found something else. She rode her bike to the campus and locked it in a rack in front of the Language Arts building. The coffee stand was open until noon during the semester, so she grabbed a coffee and a breakfast sandwich. She hadn’t eaten much last night after her talk with Uncle Pete. Now she was famished.

As she waited for her order, she stared outside at the sky. A few clouds floated in the distance but the weather guy from Denver had promised a beautiful day this morning when she’d turned on the news. Hopefully, he’d get this one forecast right.

A figure turned the corner and Cat saw a man with a dog. As he came closer, she saw it was Charlie and Star Jones. She wondered how long it would take campus security to find him and escort him off campus. As she watched, he found where she was standing and meeting her gaze, raised a hand and smiled. Then he turned around the way he’d come and left.

Now that was weird. Was he checking in on where she was? Was he watching her house? How would he have even known she was here otherwise? A cold chill surrounded her but she wasn’t going to call Uncle Pete and complain about a waving homeless guy. That was just paranoia talking.

The woman working the cart held up a bag. Her breakfast was ready. Cat grabbed the food, then hurried up the stairs so she could get into her office and out of the open. She felt exposed. Fumbling with her keys, she finally got into her office and closed and locked the door behind her. Not a lot of TAs would be working on a Saturday. Fewer would be working this early. Cat liked getting her work done early so she had the rest of the day for herself. To write. Or today, to enjoy the outdoors. She just wished she had someone to be with her. She could call Stephanie or even Michael, but she really didn’t want to be around anyone. She wanted to be with Seth, but that wasn’t going to happen, and the sooner she got that through her head, the better. Or maybe through to her heart. Intellectually, she knew he wasn’t coming back. The fight and the lack of contact afterward had been evidence enough. But her heart couldn’t accept he was really gone.

She ate her sandwich which really wasn’t as good as she’d hoped and threw away half of it. She’d grab lunch before she left on the bike trip. Maybe takeout from the Diner. A Reuben sandwich would be amazing. She sipped her coffee and then took a picture of the scarf. She texted the pic to her mom and then tucked it inside the zippered plastic bag for her uncle. Since her mom was working, Cat was surprised to get a text back just a few minutes later.

Cat opened the app and started reading. “Not mine. But it’s pretty. You should wear more scarves.”

Cat sighed and put the bag with the scarf on a chair. Always the lecture with her mom; no matter what the situation, Cat couldn’t meet her standards. All she told Cat was what she should do. She should wear more scarves. She should move out of town. She should be the one to blink and call Seth. Cat got busy cleaning the office.

She’d rearranged three shelves and had four more to go when a soft knock came on her door. Cat reached for the door and swung it open. A surprised Molly stood there, staring at her.

“I didn’t think you’d be here today,” Molly blurted.

Cat smiled. “I’m cleaning up. Someone decided to go all Hulk on my office so I’m cleaning up the mess the cops made when they came to rescue me. I’m not sure which was worse, the actual vandalism or this fingerprint powder that’s all over the place now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had issues. Anyway, I was just going to drop off a thank you note. You’ve been so nice to me the last week. I wanted to let you know I appreciate it.” Molly glanced around Cat and into the room. “The office looks normal.”

“We put everything back to rights yesterday and so today’s just cleaning up the powder. I appreciate you taking the time to write me a note.” Cat peered at Molly. “Can I open it?”

Molly was looking up and down the hallway now. “Open what?”

“The thank you note?” It definitely was weird day. Maybe even weird week. Maybe there had been a solar flare up and everyone was acting strange because of that.

Molly dug in her purse. “Sorry, I must have left it at home. I’m so forgetful.”

“No matter, it’s the thought that counts.” Cat reached for the cleaning rag. “Anything else?”

“Did they find the person who did this?” Molly wasn’t leaving.

Cat dropped the cleaning rag onto the shelf. Molly must just be lonely. “No, they haven’t. But then again, there’s a murder investigation going on. I don’t think my office issue is going to rank high on the investigators’ to-do list.”

“Now, that’s not a nice thing to say about your uncle.” Uncle Pete stood behind Molly and when he spoke, she jumped.

“I’ve got to go,” Molly said as she scurried down the hallway.

“Was it something I said?” Uncle Pete stared after her.

“I don’t know. It was weird. She came to give me a card for being nice to her but she’d forgotten the card. She’s Molly, the one I told you about before who worked for Mr. Hines.” Cat turned and walked toward the desk, looking for the baggie and finally finding it on the chair shoved against a far wall.

Uncle Pete followed Cat into the office. “The one that had the same perfume as the scarf?”

Cat handed the baggie to him. “Same one. And no, it’s not Mom’s, but I got lecture number 148 that I should accessorize my looks more.”

“Your mother means well,” Uncle Pete said as he examined the scarf.

“That’s what you keep telling me,” Cat muttered as she went back to cleaning the shelf she’d just finished unloading when she’d gotten her first visitor. “Any idea who killed Mr. Hines?”

“Not yet.” Uncle Pete had tucked the baggie into his coat pocket. “But I still don’t need your help. You have your own problems here. The campus police turned over the fingerprints they found to the state CSI unit. Of course, they’ll run them against Covington’s database first.”

“You can’t think another professor or TA did this, can you?” Cat started stacking her King collection, then Koontz, on the shelf.

“The Covington database has more than just the staff who work here. It also has some of the students and their families.”

Cat put the last book on the shelf. “I don’t remember having my fingerprints taken when I started here.”

“Not every student is printed. Just the special ones.” Uncle Pete held up a hand. “And don’t ask. I’m not allowed to tell the Covington secret. And I need to head out.”

“Are you kidding me? You aren’t going to drop a bomb like that and just leave, are you?” Cat watched as her uncle stepped out into the hallway.

“Catherine Jane Gibson. There are some things in the world that should remain a mystery. This is one of them.” He paused at the doorway. “Let me know if anything else happens. I’m concerned about this break in. It seems odd, even for Covington.”

Cat finished settling in the last shelf of books, looked around the office and decided it was good enough. She put the cleaning supplies back in her backpack and locked the office door. When she got outside to her bike, she groaned.

Her tires were flat. Not just one, but both. She cursed and reached down to check with her fingers what she’d seen with her eyes. She unlocked the bike and tucked her chain into her backpack. If she hurried, she could walk the bike to the shop and drop it off. She’d have new tires by Monday. But she wouldn’t be taking a bike ride today.

She started to roll the bike toward Rolling Stones, the local bike and skateboard shop. She’d be happy when this week was over. Next week had to be better. Right?

Rickie was bringing in the new bikes from the front sidewalk when she turned the corner and rolled the bike in view. “Hey Rickie, can you help me?”

“Cat. What on earth happened? We just replaced those tires at the beginning of the season. Have you been trail riding on a pile of sharp knives?” Rickie hurried toward her, then knelt beside the bike.

“I was at the campus working. When I came out, the tires were flat. I didn’t feel anything when I rode in this morning. I would have known if I hit something, right?” Cat watched as he ran his hands around the front tire. “I know it was early, but I wasn’t asleep.”

He frowned and then repeated the motion on the back tire. “Cat, I don’t know who you ticked off, but these tires were slashed.”

Cat looked down and saw the knife marks in the rubber. “Are you kidding me.”

She took her phone out of her pocket. “Uncle Pete? Can you stop by Rolling Stones for a second? My tires have been destroyed.”

Rickie leaned the bike against a bench in front of the shop. “I’ll go finish closing up. Let me know when your uncle’s done with the bike. I can have it back to you by Monday if he doesn’t take it in for evidence.”

Cat shook her head. “I think my riding for the season is done. And it’s supposed to be beautiful this weekend.”

“All my rentals are out until Tuesday.” Rickie grinned as he paused by the door. “But if you want a new bike, I’ve got a beauty that I’ll give you for a good deal.”

“I like my bike.” Cat waved him off. Besides, she was on a shoestring budget. She hadn’t told her mom just how close she was to needing a student loan. A new bike from Rolling Stones wasn’t in her budget, even with a discount. “Thanks. I’ll let you know what Uncle Pete says.”

She didn’t have to wait for long and after just a few minutes of discussion, her uncle put the bike in his trunk. “I’ll bring it back here for Rickie to fix the tires after they go over it for prints.”

“Thanks.” She glanced up at the sky. It was beautiful. “It’s probably going to hit the low seventies today.”

“Sorry about the ride.” He leaned against the car. “Look, Cat, I know you’re an adult and all, but there are some rumors going on about you and a professor. This isn’t an angry wife getting even, is it?”

Cat laughed and picked up her backpack. “No, Uncle Pete, I’m not having an affair with a married man. You should know me better than that. And the professor in this story is pursuing me, not the other way around. And yes, I know he’s single. A bit of a flirt, but single.”

“Your mom doesn’t want you dating anyone from Covington.” He checked the surroundings for passersby. When he didn’t see any, he continued. “I’m of the same opinion.”

“Well, it’s a good thing that I’m in charge of my own life, then, isn’t it?” She held up her hand when he started to speak. “Besides, like I told Mom, I’m not dating this person. I’ve told him I don’t want to date. He buys me coffee now and then. He’s fun to talk to.”

“Okay, but if you decide you are thinking of dating someone from Covington, would you let me run a background check on him?” He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a hug. “I might lose my job over it, but at least I wouldn’t have to worry about you.”

Cat leaned her head on his shoulder. “You’ll be the first to know. I guess I better get walking home. It just turned into a clean the house day instead of nice, relaxing bike ride out on the mountain trails. I’ll see you later.”

“Not if I see you first.” He let go of the hug and she adjusted her backpack.

Leaning into the store doorway, she saw Rickie at the cash register. “You’re right, he’s taking it in for testing. When he brings it back, don’t let him pay for my tires okay? I can afford that.”

“I’m not sure arguing with your uncle does anything but waste my breath, but I’ll try. Sorry about the rentals.” He waved, then went back to counting the till.

As she walked home, she considered taking the long way, but thought it might give Marcus the wrong idea if he happened to be out on his porch. She wasn’t interested in the man. But that didn’t seem to stop him. What was it with men? She’d told both Marcus and Michael she was unavailable. What did that do? Discourage them? No, it made them come after her more. She’d never understand the male section of the human race.

Could she have stepped on some woman’s toes in a relationship? Maybe Marcus had a psycho girlfriend or wife here on campus who had been sitting in the limo the first time he’d talked to her. She should call Michael and see if he knew. He had warned her to stay away from the man, maybe that was why. It would be great if that was who was messing with her. She’d tell her uncle, the girlfriend would get a strong talking to, and then she’d stop. As long as she wasn’t really crazy. Cat rolled her shoulders. She was tired from two days of cleaning. Whatever she’d told her uncle, the real story when she got home was to make something for lunch, then find a movie to watch and veg for a bit. She’d had a bad week.

She’d just finished her lunch when she realized she hadn’t called Michael. She grabbed her phone and found the number he’d keyed into the cell a few weeks ago. Just in case, he’d said. Well, she guessed that time had come.

“I didn’t expect to actually get a call from you.” His voice was warm like a cup of hot chocolate, with whipped cream.

“Not calling for that. Hey, you said you know Marcus Cornelio, right? Is he married or in a relationship?”

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking about taking him up for that ride. Catherine, he’s not a nice guy.”

Cat usually corrected people when they called her Catherine, but not Michael. She wondered why that was. She focused on the question. “I’m not an idiot. But I have a theory. Is he in a relationship?”

Michael sighed. “Actually, no. His wife died a few years ago and he’s only just started thinking about dating. In fact, Dante was surprised his uncle actually hit on you when I told him. He said he’s been ignoring the whole dating thing.”

“You talked to your friend about me and his uncle?” Now that was interesting. Why would her name even come up in a conversation? Unless the rumors were true. They were on the borderline of an actual relationship. She swallowed hard. “Anyway, I need to go. Thanks for answering my question.”

“Are you busy tonight?” His voice was back to that smooth as silk thing.

“Yes, sorry, I’m expected at my mom’s. She’s had a bad week with the library and finding a body and such. I told her I’d come over and spend the evening with her. And Sunday too,” Cat added before he could suggest another day.

“Keep saying no and someday I might just believe you.”

Cat heard the call disconnect and she put the phone on the coffee table. Michael wasn’t a bad guy, he just wasn’t Seth. And her heart still wanted Seth. She didn’t know how long that might take, but it was today’s answer. And if he stopped asking? Then it wasn’t meant to be, was it?

She turned the television up and cuddled into the couch, determined to relax and stop thinking about people being killed, her office or her bike. Especially since the one theory she’d come up with hadn’t panned out. No one would be jealous of Marcus spending time with her because there wasn’t anyone to replace. Unless it was a real live ghost giving her problems.

She pulled the blanket closer. No, this wasn’t a ghost attacking her and her possessions. This was a real, live person. Now she just had to figure out why.

8

Cat’s phone rang at seven Sunday morning. She opened her eyes and groaned. Reaching for the phone by her bed, she knocked a book off as well as a couple of pens before she found it. “Somebody better be dead.”

“Catherine. Is that anyway to answer your phone?” her mother asked.

Cat sat up and ran a hand over her hair. “Sorry, Mom. Why are you calling so early?”

“I waited until seven. I thought you’d be up. I could have called at five and you could have gone for a walk with me this morning. The sunrise was beautiful.”

Cat curled her feet underneath her and tucked pillows behind her back. It wasn’t going to be a short call. “Okay, what’s going on?”

“Does there have to be a reason for a mother to call her only daughter?”

Cat closed her eyes. Not only was there a reason, but it also entailed a favor. “At seven on a Sunday? Yes, there does have to be a reason. Otherwise, I’m hanging up and going back to bed.”

“Don’t hang up, sweetie. I wanted to know if you’d come to church with me. They’re doing a mother-daughter themed service and I’d love to show you off. Besides, you’ve never met Pastor Ted and his wife, Judy. You’d love them.”

“We’ve had this talk, Mom.” Cat sighed, her father’s words about being nice to her mom while he was out of town echoing in her head. “Sorry. Yes, I’d love to go with you. What time?”

“I’ll be at your apartment at eight thirty so we can do Sunday school too. My class is studying Acts. You’ll love the discussion.”

Cat doubted that, but she thought she might just find out who was feeding her mom information about her seeing Michael. It had to be someone from the church or the library. And Cat’s money was on the church. “I’ll see you then. Jeans are fine, right?”

“Catherine!”

“Just pulling your chain. I think I have a clean dress here somewhere.” She hung up the phone and headed to the shower to try to wake up.

At eight fifteen, a knock sounded from her apartment door and when she opened it, her mother handed her three dresses. “What are these?”

“Two of them were in your closet in your room. There are more, but they were mostly summer dresses. You can come over next weekend and go through them to see what you want to keep or giveaway to the charity box.” Her mother walked over and took a cup out of the cabinet. “Did you just make this pot?”

“No, I warmed up yesterday’s leftover,” she teased. When her mother’s hand flinched away from the handle, she laughed. “Just kidding, Mom. I made it fresh this morning. Right after you called.”

“Oh, then I’ll have a cup before we go. The teachers don’t get into the building before quarter to nine so there’s no reason to go early. I’m helping with cookies next week if you want to come again.” She poured herself coffee and took it over to the table where she moved a pile of books to clear a spot. “You really need a desk. Or an office.”

Cat decided to ignore the statement. She held up the third dress. It was cute, but it wasn’t hers. “I don’t remember this one. Where did you get it?”

“I saw it a few weeks ago when your dad took me to Denver. I meant to bring it over then, but things have been a little busy.” She met Cat’s gaze. “The color really brings out your eyes.”

“The dress is beautiful. Thank you, Mom. I just don’t have a lot of places that I wear dresses.” She smiled as she moved toward the bedroom. Hopefully, her mother wouldn’t bring up going to church all the time as a place to wear dresses. “Let me hang these up and I’ll be right back.”

“Your uncle said your bike got damaged. Any idea who did it?” her mom asked after Cat returned to the living room and sat at the table with her.

Cat moved her stack of manuscripts to read to the other side of the laptop and then closed it and moved it too. Now they had almost half of the table, just for the coffee cups. “Actually, I don’t have a clue. I guess maybe I could have made a student mad, but I haven’t failed anyone yet. Although, the way the semester’s going, I’m thinking at least one of my kids is going to have to take English 101 again. I just hope it’s with another TA.”

Her mother sipped her coffee. “Well, we’ve just had a crappy week, haven’t we?”

“Mom, I didn’t tell Uncle Pete, but I saw Charlie on campus before my tires were cut. Security saw him too and escorted him out of the area, but do you think he would do this?” Cat didn’t meet her mother’s gaze; she felt horrible even bringing it up. But she looked up when she felt her mother’s hand on the top on hers.

“I don’t believe Charlie would do that. If anything, he was checking to see if you were okay. He says he’s been watching me and you for the last month. He got a little agitated when I asked him why, but all he says is Star Jones says something bad is happening. I guess the dog was right since Mr. Hines wound up dead in the library.” She smiled as she let her hand drop. “We have to have faith. Your uncle is looking for whoever is doing these horrible things. But we can’t just pick the easy targets, like Charlie. We have to have proof.”

Cat wanted to remind her mother that she was probably the first easy target in the lawyer’s death, but she let it go. “More coffee?”

She shook her head. “We better go. By the time we walk to the church, we’re going to be late to Sunday school.”

When they got to the church, Cat paused at the bathrooms. “Go on in. I need to make a stop.”

“Seriously, Cat. You drink too much coffee in the morning.” She pointed toward the hallway where the classrooms were located. “I’ll be in room two. If you don’t show up in five minutes, I’ll come find you.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Cat’s mother started to say something, then she was approached by another woman.

“Loraine, I’m so glad to see you today. I bet after the week you’ve had you needed some solace here. Let’s go grab a chair in class.” The woman took Cat’s mom by the arm and led her down the hall. “You must come to lunch with us. I want to hear everything.”

Cat wondered how long she could hide in the bathroom without her mom coming to find her. As she was leaving the bathroom, she heard crying. She walked toward the sound coming from the chapel. No one was supposed to be in there until ten o’clock service. According to her mother, the pastor liked to pace before his sermon. By shutting the doors, he could do it in private. Cat figured the shut door also kept people out of the cookies until the social hour after service.

She tried the door, and it swung easily open in her hand. She peeked inside and Molly sat on one of the back pews, crying into a handkerchief.

Cat hurried over and sat next to her. “Molly, what’s wrong? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I just miss him so much.” She glanced sideways at Cat. “You must miss him horribly too?”

“Miss who?” Now Cat was confused. She’d assumed Molly had been talking about Mr. Hines.

“You don’t have to hide your relationship anymore. I figured it out.”

“Molly, look, Michael and I are just friends. The rumors going around about us aren’t true.” Cat leaned against the pew. “Wait, are you dating Michael? Is that why you’re crying?”

“Who’s Michael? I’m talking about Albert. As if you didn’t know.” Molly’s voice had an edge to it.

“Wait, you think I liked Mr. Hines? I barely even knew him.”

Molly sat up straighter. “Then why were you in his office? There’s no way you needed another copy of your contract. That was a lie.”

She had Cat there. So to keep Molly calm, Cat nodded. “You’re right. I came to ask him to rehire my mother. She works at the library and he’d fired her.”

“I know. And he laughed about it. He could be cruel.” Molly shook her head. “We were going to run away together. Be together forever on an island that didn’t have any extradition laws. He loved me and you killed him.”

“Whoa, don’t go there. I did not kill him. I haven’t killed anyone.” Cat wondered if Molly could say the same. She wondered where the administration clerk had been when Mr. Hines had been murdered. “But you already know that, don’t you? Because you killed him. You couldn’t figure out a way to keep him close. So you went to the library to talk to him and it got out of hand.”

“We’d made love in one of the offices. Afterward, he was eating some banana bread one of the librarians had left and he told me we were done. Then he asked if I wanted a slice. And boy, did I, but not a slice of that bread. After that, he just gurgled. I had to drag him to the book drop but I thought it fit his personality.”

Molly’s eyes shown bright, and Cat wasn’t sure if Molly was here or reliving the deed. All she knew was she needed to get out of here and find Uncle Pete. Cat stood and stepped away from the pew. “Oh, Molly.”

“He said he’d found someone else. And since you’d come into the office, I thought it was you.” She grabbed Cat’s wrist. “Don’t you understand, I loved him.”

“Molly, let go. My mom is expecting me in Sunday school. I have to go find her.” Cat tried to wrestle her wrist out of Molly’s grasp.

She stood and nodded toward the kitchen in the back of the hall. “Let’s go find out if they have something sharp there. I’m afraid I left the other knife with Alfred.”

Cat planted her feet. “Sorry, I’m not feeling the need for a field trip. And what about the knife you used to slash my tires? Where’s that?”

Molly laughed. “I guess you have all the answers, don’t you? It’s with a friend. Homeless people are always collecting things. Like knives. And when they search him, they’ll find Charlie also has Alfred’s wallet. I’ll leave this new knife in his basket as well. Sorry, Cat. I think we could have been friends. You just were always in the wrong place.”

Cat felt Molly pulling her toward the kitchen. Then she saw the doors open and a dog ran into the chapel and bit Molly on the leg, dragging her away from Cat. “What the hell?”

“You can’t say that in here, Miss Catherine. We’re in the house of the Lord.” Charlie grabbed Molly by the arms and held her. “Sit, please, Star Jones.”

The dog followed his direction. Then, all of a sudden, the room filled with people, including her uncle. He took Molly from Charlie and put her in handcuffs. After he handed the woman over to another officer to take to the station, he turned toward Cat. “Are you okay?”

“I’m overwhelmed.” She leaned down and petted Star Jones who sat by her feet watching her. He licked her hand. “Thanks for the help, boy.”

The dog whined and looked at Charlie.

“He says you are most welcome.” Charlie looked around. “We probably should go. Church is going to start soon.”

“Charlie,” her mom said, “why don’t you stay. You and Star Jones can sit in this last pew with me.” She took his arm and led him to a place close to the door. “This way, if Star Jones needs to go out before the service is over, you can use that door and come back in when he’s done.”

“You think they would let him stay with me?” Charlie blinked tears out of his eyes.

Loraine glanced at Cat and then back at Charlie. “He saved Cat’s life today. I think he’s a hero. Heroes are always welcome.”

* * *

Uncle Pete asked Cat to come to the station with him to give a statement. She went over to where her mom sat, waiting for the service to start. “I’m leaving with Uncle Pete.”

Mom stood and gave her a long hug. “I love you.”

Cat squeezed her. “I’ll come over to the house after I’m done. We can make fried chicken for dinner.” She rubbed Star Jones on the head.

“Your uncle is coming by too. I’ll have Charlie and Star Jones with me. They’re going to stay with Pete for a while.” Loraine glanced over and exchanged glances with her brother. “I think they’ve been on the street for too long. We need to get them settled into the community.”

Cat met her uncle in the vestibule where he was talking to the pastor. When they finished, he took her arm and led her outside. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I hear you’re getting a roommate.”

“We’ll see how it goes. Pastor Ted knows some counselors and we’ll see if we can bring Charlie back to the real world.” He unlocked his Challenger. “You were solid in there. Very calm even when she tried to pull you to the kitchen.”

“You were watching?” Cat sat in the passenger seat and put on her seat belt. “How did you know?”

“Your mother went looking for you after five minutes like she promised. Then she called me. The pastor and I were watching on the security cameras, trying to see if she’d say enough for us to get her for more than just slashing your bike tires and trashing your office. The fingerprint results came back.” He started the car.

“She could have killed me.” Cat rubbed her wrist that still hurt from Molly’s grip.

He shrugged. “I took a chance she didn’t have a gun. And that you weren’t stupid enough to talk yourself into trouble. I just didn’t expect Charlie to do an end run and try to save you with his dog. That guy has no fear.”

“Why was he here anyway?”

Her uncle grinned. “He likes to go into the chapel before church and get coffee and cookies. The pastor has been watching him for the last month. He leaves money out too, but Charlie never takes it. Just the coffee and cookies. And dog biscuits.”

“I’m going to buy Star Jones a big box of bones tomorrow.” She relaxed into the seat. “It’s finally over, isn’t it?”

“It’s been a hard week.”

9

A few days later, Cat and her mother sat at the Morning Bean, drinking coffee and eating cinnamon rolls. Cat had a class at ten and her mother had to open the library at the same time, so they’d met early for a chat.

“I’m glad you called, Cat. I feel like we’ve gotten on each other’s nerves the last week or so and I wanted to clear the air.” Loraine sipped her coffee. “I appreciate you coming by more often this month, but I know your father put you up to it. I’m an adult woman. I can be alone for more than twenty minutes without freaking out.”

Cat grinned and finished the bite of cinnamon roll she’d just taken. “Point taken. I think Dad just didn’t want you to be bored or lonely while he was gone.”

“He’ll be back this weekend, so consider your babysitting duties done as of today.” Loraine pulled her sweater closer. “I’ve definitely not been bored. Last week was horrible. All the ups and downs. At least one good thing came of this whole thing.”

Cat knew she was talking about Charlie. Uncle Pete had taken the week off to help get Charlie situated in a new apartment. He found a nephew that lived in Denver that gave him more information including Charlie’s medical history. Apparently, Charlie had been missing for months from his Denver life. When Uncle Pete had asked him if he wanted to go back, Charlie had insisted that Aspen Hills was his new home. So they were making it so.

“You know I love visiting with you.” Cat focused on her cinnamon roll. She loved her mother, her parents actually, even Uncle Pete. But sometimes, living in the same small town you grew up in made it hard to make your own decisions and actually grow up. “I just wish you’d stop giving me advice on everything I do.”

“Knowing you were in the room with that woman, it scared me. And besides, I don’t give you advice on everything.” Her mother reached over to adjust Cat’s necklace, then stilled her hand. “Okay, maybe it’s hard for a mother to realize her child had grown up without her noticing. You’re an amazing woman, Catherine. I don’t tell you that enough.”

Cat grabbed her mother’s hand and squeezed. “Now, was that so hard? I promise I won’t get overly upset when you make comments or buy me a dress I might not wear until I actually have a real job.”

“Don’t you have to dress up now when you’re teaching classes? I just assumed you’d be required to dress professionally.” Her mom held up her hand. “And I didn’t mean that in a negative manner.”

“Actually, jeans and a nice sweater or shirt is all they require. I can’t wear logo t-shirts that express my viewpoints.” She stopped as she noticed someone stopping at their table and looked up at Michael.

“Or t-shirts with statements on them at all. I wore a ‘Ski Colorado’ t-shirt my first week as a TA and got a stern talking to about the need to show an appropriate respect for my position. Of course, I did my graduate work in Boston.” He smiled and reached out a hand to Cat’s mother. “Good morning, Mrs. Gibson. I’m Michael Latimer. Your daughter is an amazing student and instructor.”

“Mr. Latimer.” Loraine shook his hand. “Actually, my daughter is amazing at a lot more than that. We’ve just been talking about her next placement when she graduates. I’m hoping she chooses to work at a college in a warmer state like Florida or California. Her father and I have been looking at a retirement move out of Aspen Hills.”

Michael blinked at the news but he took it in stride. “Any college would be lucky to have Catherine join their faculty. I’ll leave you to enjoy your breakfast.”

“Michael.” Cat paused, not wanting to contradict her mother, but she really wanted to work at Covington. “I’ll talk to you later.”

After he left, Loraine didn’t say anything, but her lips were pressed together in a hard line. Finally, Cat couldn’t stand the silence. “He was just being nice.”

Heat flashed in her mother’s eyes. She took a sip, then set the cup on the table. “I know I keep saying this, but you don’t realize you’re playing with fire when you even consider dating someone from Covington.”

“He’s just a friend,” Cat said for what seemed like the millionth time.

Her mom’s gaze softened, and she studied her daughter. “Cat, he isn’t interested in being your friend. He’s in love with you. I can see that. And if you can’t, well, maybe you are still in love with Seth. Call him. Get this silly fight over with. I need to go open the library. See you Sunday for dinner.”

Her mother’s advice echoed in her head all during her class and followed her home where she tried to read her assigned manuscripts before class. Was Mom right? Was Michael in love with her?

She set down the manuscript and picked up her phone. When the call was answered, she asked, “Do you want to come over tonight for dinner? I think we need to talk. I’m not much of a cook, but I know how to order like a pro.”

“After meeting your mom today, I wasn’t sure I’d hear from you again. She doesn’t like me at all.” Michael laughed and the sound eased Cat’s worry. “Why don’t I bring the food? I’ll make you my one pot clam fettuccine. You like Italian food?”

“It’s one of my favorites.” Cat hung up the phone and went back to reading. It was time for a new life. One where she didn’t pine over Seth twenty-four seven. She just hoped her mother would forgive her sooner or later.

Recipe Time:

Michael’s One Pot Spaghetti and Clam Sauce

I found this recipe on line one day and thought, this can’t work. One night, I was doing dinner alone as the cowboy was out of town and I tried my version of the recipe. It was awesome. And, it’s even better warmed up for lunch the next day.

Here’s my version.

Lynn

Heat a large fry pan, with deep sides – over medium heat.

Add –

2 Tbsp. olive oil

½ chopped onion

1 tsp minced garlic

1 cup sliced mushrooms

Cook 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent and mushrooms browned.

Then add a can of chopped clams (including the juice.)

Add two cups of water (or chicken broth)

Then add 2-4 servings of spaghetti. Break in half and make sure the pasta is under water.

Cook for 10-15 minutes more – adding more liquid before the pan runs dry.

I like to add a cup of milk during the last minutes of cooking to make the sauce creamier.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

When the sauce is set and the pasta cooked, serve with garlic bread and a green salad.

More Cat Latimer -

Looking for more Cat Latimer? You can buy the first six books in digital, audio, or print format at your favorite retailer.

The Cat Latimer Mysteries

A Story to Kill

Fatality by Firelight

Of Murder and Men

Slay in Character

Sconed to Death

A Field Guide to Homicide

And coming soon

A Killer Christmas Wish (Fall 2021)

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Legal bits

Body in the Book Drop: A Cat Latimer Novella by Lynn Cahoon

Published by Lynn Cahoon

www.lynncahoon.com

Copyright © 2021 Lynn Cahoon

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact: Lynn@LynnCahoon.com

Cover by Earthly Charms

ISBN: B08XPQMQW3 (ebook)