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Greg decided to grill the pork chops I’d taken out for dinner. I’d made a pasta salad to go with the chops and we had frozen corn I’d warm up as well. As we sat outside, watching the chops, I told him abo ut Deek’s news.

“So do we throw him a party now? Or when the book publishes?” He sat and took a drink fro m his iced tea.

“I think then, but I think we’ll do something at the next staff meeting. Maybe have Sadie do a cake?” Now I was grinning. “I can’t believe he’s already being published. It takes some authors years to get their f irst book out.”

“Our little boy’s a savant.” Greg rubb ed Emma’s head.

“And to think, you didn’t like Deek when he showed up,” I reminded him. “Now you’re claiming him as a son.”

“He grows on you.” Greg stood to turn the chops. “Sorry I was grumpy about you figuring out that I was interv iewing O’Dell.”

“No problem. Did you learn anything new?”

Greg shook his head. “He was at the Castle with his older kid that morning. He’d been staying there since before the open house trying to catch his wife or Jimmy out in the community. His older kid, Tyler, said that he saw his dad sleeping before he went out for a run that morning.”

“Wait, so Tanner didn’t have an alibi?”

Greg frowned. “The kid said he saw him before he left. And when he got back from the run, Tanner was in the shower.”

“So how long does this kid run? He was on the basketball team. Maybe he runs long distance.” I could see I was pushing Greg’s buttons. “It’s not a big thing. Mrs. O’Dell just gave away her half of their retirement sa vings to Kane.”

“This has to be about the money, right?” Greg asked as he rubbed his hair. “I need a haircut. All this hair is blocking m y brain cells.”

“I think it’s cute when it’s a little longer.” I knew he didn’t want to talk about the case, but I wanted to know one more thing. “Did you read Beth’s paper?”

He nodded. “I think Jim’s in trouble. Beth’s really smart. He’s not going to be able to get away with anything wi th her around.”

“Yes, Beth’s smart. But I was wondering what you thought about the brothers and their history.”

He didn’t answer immediately. Then he looked at me. “I need to see the financials. I had the city attorney reach out to their lawyers this afternoon. If we don’t get the paperwork, we’re going to ask for a subpoena. I don’t think they want us digging directly i n their files.”

“Well, at least I get to see you for a few nights. And we’ll get more of the thank y ou notes done.”

He grabbed a platter. “Lucky me. Let’s get dinner done and get working. Maybe we can finish up tonight. I have a feeling this investigation is abo ut to heat up.”

* * * *

When the stream of commuters slowed down the next morning, I thought about the book club. We’d already had several suggestions put in the jar, and because I’m that girl who can’t wait for Christmas morning, I pulled them out and sorted thr ough the slips.

I got out a notebook and wrote down all the ideas. Several were the same—bestsellers or women’s fiction. One was a vote for Southern fiction. And one, historical nonfiction about California—bonus if the books focused on the central coast. Josh had been in to get coffee and treats. Antiques by Thomas must have had a staff meeting this morning. I’d seen him scribbling on one of the entry papers for the book club. This had to be his suggestion.

It wasn’t a bad idea, I just didn’t think it would appeal to a lot of people. Maybe I needed to ask Josh to suggest more local-charm books I could put in that section. He knew a lot about the history of South Cove. Probably more than anyone in town.

I paper-clipped the ideas together and put them back into the jar. Then I drew a line under the last idea and wrote the date and time on the top of the page. Putting the notebook under the counter, I added “review book club ideas” to the daily closing list. If it didn’t get done, I could do it in the morning, but I’d love to get my staff invol ved in the fun.

A man walked into the bookstore, and I realized it was Tanner O’Dell. He walked straight up to the counter. “I have a favor to ask. You don’t have to say yes, but I didn’t want to just drop them off, just in case.”

“I’m sorry, what can I help you with?” He looked nervous. Today, he was dressed in a suit. He introduced himself. “I just got one of my sons back from their mom. She lives at the New Hope property. I’ve been asked back to the police station for another interview and I don’t want them hanging out there. And I don’t want to leave my kids at the hotel. Can they stay here while I straighten this out? I’ve told Tyler, he’s my oldest, that they can’t leave with anyone and to keep an eye on Jimmy. They’ll have my credit card for drinks, treats, and books. I don’t care what they buy. I just need a second set of eyes on them while I’m at the police station. It’s just down the street and if you need me, I’ll co me right back.”

“We’re not a babysitting service and I’m off at eleven. They’re more than welcome to hang out, but I’m not stopping them if they leave on their own. I will text you if they do, or if anyone from New Hope approaches them.” I understood Mr. O’Dell’s worries, but on the other hand, they weren’t my children. I didn’t have the right to stop them or keep their mother from trying to collect them. “I’ll also call the police if someone is trying to take them using force and try to stop that.”

He studied me, then nodded. “Thanks. I just didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t want to take them back to the police station. Jimmy’s confused enough, and I thought being around books might calm him about being alone wit h his brother.”

“Books can do that.” I nodded. “Look, I’ll do my best with them. We have kids that hang here most Saturdays. And if you’re not back by eleven, I’ll let my coworker know what’s going on. Just try to be back before lunch. I’d hate for t hem to starve.”

He grinned. “They eat like starving wolves most of the time. I’m not sure you’d notice a difference. I’ll go get them. And thank y ou, Mrs. King.”

So he’d known who I was when he came into the store. That wasn’t unusual, but it made me feel a little bit better about his request. He was leaving the kids with the police de tective’s wife.

When he came back in with the kids, he brought them straight up to the counter. “You’re going to wait here at the bookstore for me and hopefully find something to read. You can have something to eat if you get hungry and one coffee drink. Otherwise, it’s herbal tea, wa ter, or cocoa.”

“Cocoa has caffeine too, Dad,” said the younger kid, Jimmy, as he turned toward Tanner. When he didn’t get a response, he turned to me. “I’ll have a mocha, please, with whipped cream.”

I smiled at him and looked at his brother. “And for you?”

He rolled his eyes at his father. “A mocha will be fine. You have fl avored waters?”

I pointed to the menu board. “We do our own in the above flavors.”

“I’m going to go look for a book. Where’s your horror section?” The older kid, Tyler, glanced over at the shelves. “I hope I haven’t re ad everything.”

“We just got in the new Grady Hendrix, if you haven’t read that.” I pointed towa rd the section.

“I’m coming too.” Jimmy follow ed his brother.

I made the mochas, then looked at Mr. O’Dell. “Do you want anything?”

“I’m coffeed out. I drank a pot at the hotel. I probably should have put a caffeine limit on myself.” He handed me a credit card, then stuffed a hundred-dollar bill in the tip jar. “This is for your time. I know it’s above and beyond wha t you do here.”

“I get it. If I’d just got him back, I’d be a little protective too.” I ran his card and tried t o hand it back.

He shook his head, signing the receipt. “Hold it for their tab. I just hope I get back before they get antsy. Th ank you again.”

“No problem.” I put the card into the cash register and closed the drawer. I wanted to tell him good luck, but if Greg thought he might have killed Kane, he might need more than just good luck to get out of the charge. And if that happened, who would take care of the kids? I guessed they’d go back to their mother an d the compound.

I hoped that Tanner O’Dell hadn’t acted on his Facebook threat and killed the cult leader. I worried about the kids.

By the time Deek came downstairs from his apartment to take over the shop, the kids had bought four books and ordered six more drinks and a dozen cookies. I was beginning to worry about their sugar content more than the caffeine limit their dad had set. I had a running tab going and just kept adding to it as they came to get something else.

I explained the book club vote-tallying system I’d set up, then told him about Tyler and Jimmy. “I hope that Greg will be finishing up the i nterview soon.”

As I said that, Anya Carter walked into the shop with another woman. I saw Jimmy’s reaction before I realized what he’d already figured out. His dad wasn’t coming back from his errand anytime soon. She smiled at the kids, then came up to the counter. “Jill, I’m so sorry I missed your call. Things have been a little busy.”

“Please tell me you aren’t here to take the kids.” I pulled out the credit card and began to ring up the charges but then I stopped. “Maybe we should have them get a coup le more books.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I take it you have permission from their dad?” Anya asked, looking at t he credit card.

I nodded to Deek. “Why don’t you go over and help them get another book or two? Anya and I will figure ou t what’s next.”

Deek walked over and knelt next to the table. Tyler looked up at Anya, who smiled, then sank back into his chair. He didn’t take long to adjust. He pulled his brother into a hug, then they walked over to the bookshe lves with Deek.

“Has Tanner been arrested?” I kep t my voice low.

Anya shook her head. “Greg’s words were that he’s being held for questioning. I got a call from the lawyer. They want to make sure the kids aren’t in range of the compound, so I’m taking them up to their aunt’s place north of here. Jimmy’s still on our books because of the removal from the mom, but I got an order from the judge just now and we’ll get them someplace safe. I guess the aunt has a cabin she bought just after Mrs. O’Dell disappear ed with Jimmy.”

Deek brought over four more books and an order for half a dozen cookies. “Tyler’s getting their backpacks set up and ready to go. He says they’re going to Aunt Kathy’s . Is he right?”

Anya nodded. “Tanner called me last night and we started the paperwork. All I needed was a call from his attorney to put it in process. Jimmy doesn’t need to go back to that place. They do a crazy brainwashing thing and separate the kids from the parents. He’s going to need a lot of therapy without adding to it.”

I rang up everything and charged it to the card. Holding it up, I asked, “Can I give this to Tyler?”

“Please. The attorney mentioned it when he called. I guess Tyler’s authorized on the card, so he can sign your receipt.”

We walked over and I handed the receipt and a pen to Tyler, who signed it and handed it back. Then I gave him the card. “Thanks for hanging out with me this morning. I appreciate having someone here to make the pl ace look busy.”

“Dad’s got to help the police find Reverend Matthews’s killer. He was killed last week because he spoke God’s word,” Jimmy told me as he tucked the new books into his bag. “We’re going to Aunt Kathy’ s for a while.”

“Yep. Spending some quality time with Aunt Kathy,” Tyler repeated. “Thanks for letting us hang, Mrs. King. It’s a gr eat bookstore.”

As the kids left with the social workers, I leaned against the wall and watched them. I felt bad that they had to have another upheaval in their lives, but at least they had an aunt to take them in. I’d been in the same situation when I’d gone to live with Aunt Jackie. And no matter how much better life was at the new place, a part of you still yearned for the old life. For Tyler, that was before their mom had blown up their lives by joining New Hope. Was it the same for Jimmy? Or did he miss the structured life that he’d been living the last six months at New Hope? I guess only t ime would tell.

I was still talking to Deek about what had happened when two black SUVs pulled up in front of the shop. Five suited men got out, and two of them opened the back door on both cars. Two women got out, and one of the men and the woman from the first car hurried into the shop, looking around at the tables.

Maryanne Matthews was the other woman, and she followed them inside. She glanced around, then walked up to me. “Good morning, Jill. I was told that Jimmy O’Dell was hanging out with you. His mom wanted to see him. She’s had no contact since he was jerked from her c are last week.”

“I’m sorry, there’re no kids here.” I felt Deek ste p closer to me.

Maryanne smiled at me and the look chilled my blood. “Now. There are no kids here now. We were told he was here by one of our members. I take it his father asked you to watch him?”

“We’re not a babysitting service.” I repeated the words I’d told Tanner O’Dell. “We’r e a bookstore.”

I wasn’t lying, but there was no way I was going to give Maryanne any information on Tanner O’Dell or his family. Especi ally not Jimmy.

“Well, I guess that’s all we need. If Jimmy isn’t here.” Maryan ne didn’t move.

“Can we get you coffee or a cookie?” I waved my hand toward the dessert case. “I know you have your own bakery, but you might want to taste your competition’s products. Pies on the Fly produces a mazing treats.”

Fire flashed in her eyes, but she smiled and shook her head. “Sorry to have bothered you. I need to go comfort my sister, as she’s grieving the lo ss of her son.”

After they left, Deek turned to me. “Dude! That was intense. She knew you were lying and you didn’t even b at an eyelash.”

“I wasn’t putting Jimmy in any danger. The question is, who was in here when the kids were and called New Hope? Or maybe someone walked by and saw them through the window. Who knew a babysitting job deserved combat pay?” I grabbed my tote and handed off the shop to Deek. “I’m going home to take Emma to the beach and soak up some South Cove magic. I need some positive ra ys flowing in.”

“Best place to get it,” Deek c alled after me.

As I walked home, I got a call from Greg. “Let me guess, you’re not coming ho me for dinner.”

“You’re going to have to open a competing shop with Esmeralda. You’re getting good at this.” Greg laughed. “Anya told me she picked up the kids. Thanks for being t here for them.”

“It wasn’t a problem. By the way, we had a visit from Maryanne and the New Hope goons after Anya left with the kids. Someone called and told them the kids we re at my shop.”

The silence on the other end told me the rest of the story. Greg was worried about the kids. “What did you tell her?”

“That I was running a bookstore, not a babysitting service. But it worries me that someone is reporting on u s to New Hope.”

“So you lied.”

I laughed as I started down the hill to the house. “Like a fish. I never understood that saying, by the way. Or maybe that’s not the saying. Anyway, Deek about swallow ed his tongue.”

“I feel bad for the kids,” Greg admitted.

“Are you sure h e killed Kane?”

He paused before answering. “He has motive and opportunity. If someone took my kid, I ’d be hot too.”

“That doesn’t answe r my question.”

“Let’s just say I’m working on an answer.” He groaned. “I’ve got to go. Love y ou, Mrs. King.”

I tucked the phone away in my pocket and headed home to get my dog. I prayed Deek and I were right about the South Cove beach hit. I needed to feel better.