Page 108 of Death on Riddle Road

I stopped tapping, shook out my hands, then stretched my back.

Two words popped off the screen as I stared at it.

Lattimore Mountain.

The place I’d set this book.The place I’d created.The place where my characters found each other.

I’d make that the title.

Warmth settled into my chest.

Although a title without a complete story wouldn’t get me very far.

I started typing again.

****

I broke offin time to rush to Shep’s Market for more goodies to ring in the New Year tonight with Teague, Clara, and Ned.

And there was Urban, this time just in front of me in line.

After terse hellos, I blurted out, “You didn’t take me into your confidence.”

“No, I didn’t.”

He said no more, but I got the idea that he was somehow pointing out that I hadn’t taken him completely into my confidence, either.

He couldn’t have meant my secret history, since that was...well, secret.He didn’t know about it.Nobody in North Bend County did.

Teague would be the first...when we could have that talk.

Besides, you couldn’t tell everybody everything.Even if you hit it off, the way Urban and I had, it took a while.Not to mention most of our conversations centered around the history of this county, not our personal histories.

In other words, I needed to be more tolerant of Urban keeping his secrets.

Glass houses and all that.

Also, maybe how I felt when I realized Urban hadn’t shared encouraged me to commit to opening the door on my secret to Teague.

Urban turned back to me after finishing his transaction.“Happy New Year, Sheila.”

“Happy New Year to you, Urban.”

DAY SIX

JANUARY 6

EPILOGUE

Teague and Ihad pleasurably celebrated the arrival of the new year last night with Clara and Ned at my house —ourhouse.

It included more talk of the two murders.

Teague admitted knowing about the pillow the first day, along with the fact Beverly brought it.He was unapologetic about not telling us.

Clara reported she’d seen Mamie in Shep’s again yesterday.

The girl was morose, which was explained when she said Robbie was going to start college out of state later this month, after a school counselor arranged early acceptance.