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When I got to the bookstore, Amanda was sitting alone at a table, reading. A large coffee in a to-go cup sat in front of her. She waved at me, and I held up a finger. I needed more coffee. How I needed more, I didn’t know, but if we were going antique shopping today like we’d discussed yesterday, I needed coffee. Deek was at the counter.

“I thought this was Toby’s morning,” I said as I ord ered my coffee.

“Dude called him in to go with him this morning to the compound, New Hope? I thought you’d already know.” He poured me coffee and two pumps of caramel. “Mom’s sorry she won’t be at the wedding, but she hopes to make it for the reception. She has standing appointments on Saturday mornings that she can’t cancel.”

“I’m just glad she’s coming. I know Esmeralda will love seeing her.” I glanced up at Deek. “Are we closing the store lik e I suggested?”

“Judith and Tilly are going to work Saturday. Judith’s sending her present with me. Tilly didn’t feel comfortable attending.” Deek leaned forward. “I think she needs the hours. She’s been having some problems with her boyfriend.”

“Okay, as long as they know they can close and come to the reception.” I took the cup. “Anything else I should know?”

He shrugged. “The women from New Hope came in yesterday. Bought books. Stayed and drank coffee and ate a treat. Then they were hustled back into a van. They never meet your eyes when you talk to them. Hav e you noticed?”

I nodded. “It’s like they don’t want to connect to anyone outside the compound. I hear them laughing and talking between themselves, but not with outsiders. Anyway, with Kane gone, it might just break up.”

“Oh, no. They’ve already picked a new leader. I guess he was the second-in-command before. He came in looking for you. He said he’ll be at the next business meeting.” Deek leaned down and pulled out a business card. “Here’s what he left for you.”

I read the card. “Roger Matthews. I wonder if he is re lated to Kane?”

“It’s his brother,” Amanda said as she came up from behind. “Vince told me that this morning. Molly was hoping they’d disband, but I guess Kane had a succession plan in place. Just in case. Once I told Vince I wasn’t interested in dating again or financing his business, he tried to get me to talk to Greg about Molly. So I got a littl e information.”

“Well, you can tell Greg, but he’s not going to just remove Molly from the suspect list because you ask him. He wants to find the killer, not just someone who might be.” I was beginning to not like Vince too.

“Which is what I told Vince, but hope springs eternal with that man.” She handed Deek her coffee cup. “Can you refill this? I need some caffeine since I didn’t get much sle ep last night.”

“We can just go back to the house ,” I suggested.

Amanda shook her head. “Let’s hit a few antique shops, then take Emma to the beach. I like watching the waves. I guess Greg will be joining us for dinner. Or does he just want to yell at me for seeing Vince?”

“Maybe on the dinner part. He wants to, I know that. But if he gets a break in the case, he’ll be gone.” I thanked Deek for the coffee. Amanda kne w her son well.

“Well, if he doesn’t come home, maybe we could order pizza? I never order pizza for dinner at home.” Amanda held the door open. “It’s too bad the store next door doesn’t open until ten. I’d love to see w hat they have.”

Josh was sweeping the front steps as we walked up. “Hey, Josh, do you think we could do a walk-through? This is Greg’s mom, Amanda. Amanda, this is my friend, Josh Thomas.” I didn’t want to remind him that I’d gone with him on some crazy adventures lately. But I would if he said no.

He smiled at Amanda. “So nice to meet you. Greg King is well respected in South Cove. He does a great job. Of course you can come in now. If you find something, Mandy can help you with the purchase. She’s inside setting up a new display.”

“Josh and Mandy are newlyweds,” I added, to his discomfort. If having Amanda here opened doors like this, maybe she shou ld stay around.

As we entered Antiques by Thomas, Amanda started talking about her and Vince. How it happened and how it ended. Greg had the story right about the ending, but the beginning had been magical. Vince had been attentive, brought her flowers, and listened when she talked. Everything a woman wanted in a partner. But as soon as the ring was on her finger, he changed. He became controlling. He kept asking about her finances. And he quit lo oking for work.

“I didn’t know what to do. He had good excuses. Great stories. But I knew something was wrong. Now I wish I’d trusted my instincts. I started having doubts just before the wedding, but I went through with it anyway. I thought it was just wedding jitters.” She paused at a beautiful dresser, stroking the wood. “Should have, could have, woul d have. Right?”

“So is this why the questions yesterday about why I waited so long to marry your son?” I was beginning to understand where Amanda was coming from. “That’s a beautiful bedroom set. I keep saying we need to replace what we have. Maybe afte r the wedding.”

“Yes. Sorry about the inquisition yesterday. Sometimes I let my insecurities and faults color my view of your relationship. Thank you for humoring me.” She glanced at the price tag. “This is a nice set. And it’s i n great shape.”

“Josh has good stock. And he has a helper who can fix anything that needs it.” I followed her to the next setting. The antiques were in more focused groupings than the last time I visited. Probably Mandy’s influence. “I did have my doubts that I’d ever remarry. But Greg just kept showing up and saying the right things. I can’t imagine lif e without him.”

Amanda smiled at me. “Now that’s a good reason t o get married.”

We thanked Mandy for letting us in early, then walked back to the house, where I let Emma out and grabbed a couple of water bottles for us. We took the Jeep to Bakerstown and found several stores to wander through. I bought a garden gnome for the backyard. I thought Greg would get the humor. As we left the last store, we saw three vans in front of a fabric store and men in suits w aiting outside.

“The New Hope group must be shopping.” I pointed Amanda toward the store. “Do you mind comi ng in with me?”

“I’d love to go inside. We need to get tulle and ribbon anyway for the shower of good wishes as you walk down the aisle. We need wild bird seed too.” Amanda grinned. “Or are your friends handling t hat tradition?”

“No one’s mentioned it. Don’t people throw rice?” I held the store’s doo r open for her.

“Rice swells up in the birds’ tummies. Especially since you’re having the wedding outside at the mission, we should do birdseed.” Amanda patted my arm. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll make up a basket for you. How many guests do you expect?”

I wasn’t going to be the one who told her that swelling rice was an urban myth. Instead, I gave her the number of guests we were expecting, and we headed over to the right section. I scanned for the women of New Hope and found them in the cotton section. Someone must make their dresses. As Amanda talked about matching different fabrics to my wedding colors, blue and silver, I looked at each woman’s face, trying to find Carlie.

When I locked gazes with an older woman, she smiled, dropping the fabric she’d been considering, and walked over to where we were standing. “You’re Jill Gardner, owner of that cute bookstore in South Cov e, aren’t you?”

I smiled and held out my hand. “That’s me. I’m sorry, I don’t th ink we’ve met.”

“I’m Maryanne Matthews. Roger’s my husband. He just took over the New Hope leadership after the tragic loss of Kane. Our brother was so charismatic. He’s always been that way. I met Roger in college, so I’ve been part of the family for years.” Maryanne glanced at the men standing outside by the van. I turned to follow her gaze. They weren’t watching her, yet. “Anyway, I don’t have a lot of time. They don’t like us to converse with nonbelievers. I saw you at the open house talking to Kane. Are you curious abo ut the church?”

“You mean, am I thinking of joining?” I shook my head. “I’ve got a lot going on right now, with the busines s, and family…”

Before I could add to the list of excuses, Maryanne nodded. “And the upcoming wedding. I’m so happy for you. Weddings are the best, especially when you’re marrying your soulmate. Anyway, I just wanted to meet you formally and extend an open invitation to our services.”

Then Maryanne hugged me. I patted her back and saw Amanda watching us. I slightly shrugged my shoulders, indicating that I didn’t know anything mor e than she did.

When Maryanne stood back, she glanced outside again. This time a man was watching her. She smiled and nodded her head. “Remember, you’re welcome anytime.” Then she hurried over to the other women. “Are we abou t ready, then?”

Amanda came over with two shades of white tulle for me to consider. “Which one is better?” Then she dropped her voice to ask, “And what the heck was that?”

I pointed to the correct shade, which I was sure she already knew. “I have no idea. But I think I see Carlie Cordon over there by the plaids.”

Amanda reached for another roll of tulle. She positioned herself behind me so she could see the section I’d mentioned. “Do you want one of the ribbons to be larger or both the same size?” Then she dropped her voice. “I think you’re right.”

“Let me take a picture of everything we’re considering, and I’ll send it to Aunt Jackie so she can match it up. If we wait a few minutes, she should text back.” I took out my phone and aimed it at Carlie. Then I asked Amanda to hold the fabric against her shirt for contrast. I changed the focus and got an even better picture of Carlie. Then I texted Greg.

His response came quickly. Stay out of it. I’m asking Bakerstown to send a car to bring her in f or questioning.

Amanda and I moved to the ribbon section. She glanced at the woman as she looked through the ribbons. “Is Greg se nding someone?”

“He’s sending a car to pick her up for questioning. We’re supposed to stay out of it. But I’d like to see it go down—unless you feel uncomfortable? We can leave.”

Amanda shook her head. “I’m fine. Besides, we still need to pick a ribbon color and have everything cut. We’ll be here a while.”

We were at the cutting table when the trouble started. The men hanging around the van saw the police officers first. One man came in and tried to move all the women out of the fabric store. They glanced at their watches and argued with him. Finally, they moved to the checkout line. He took the fabric out of the youngest girl’s arms and pushed her t oward the door.

“Everyone but Maryanne, get into the vans. Maryanne, if we have to leave, I’ll send someone back to get you. Wait outside when you’re done.” The man pointed to the register. “Everyone put your stuff there and get into the vans. I’m not tell ing you again.”

Maryanne looked over and saw Amanda and me watching. “Fred, you’re making a scene. Ladies, follow Fred out to the vans. I’ll get your fabric , don’t worry.”

Fred turned and glared at us. Then he moved toward the door. He had bigger things to deal with. The cops we re at the door.

“Excuse me, ladies, can you hold still,” an older officer asked as another one stood blocki ng the doorway.

I glanced out the window and saw that officers from a second car were blocking the men from New Hope from entering. Right now, it was all civilized. I only hoped it would stay that way. I looked over at Amanda. “If you see a gun pulled, drop to the floor and head to the back room. I’ll be rig ht behind you.”

The woman who had just finished cutting our fabric whispered, “The backroom door is right behind us. I’ll l ead you there.”

“I’m hoping we’ll be fine. But there are a lot of angry men around.” I leaned against the counter to wat ch the officer.

He held up his phone and checked five women against what I suspected was Carlie’s photo. Fred was on his cell phone, talking quietly at the si de of the room.

“These five are okay to leave.” The officer in charge nodded toward the man at the door. When those women had left, he turned to the next five. He struck pay dirt with the second face he checked. “Miss, would you step aside near the register?”

Maryanne waved her over and put her arm around the girl. I heard her murmur words of comfort. They watched as the officer went through the rest of the women, checking something on his phone before stepping to the next one. Was there more than on e missing girl?

The officer sent a second girl over to where Maryanne was standing. Then he released the rest and Fred left the store with them. I saw everyone climb into two of the three vans. Fred and one other man stood outside the last van, watching.

The police officers were still watching them.

The officer in charge walked over and nodded to Maryanne. “You can go too, ma’am.”

“Not until I finish my business here. What do you want with my sisters?” Maryanne nodded to the clerk, who started running the fabric, notions, and patterns throug h her register.

The officer glanced out the window to where Fred and his friend were still waiting. “These women are your sist ers. By birth?”

“No, not by birth. As you probably already know, we belong to New Hope. The men outside drive us on our errands so we don’t have to bother with driving ourselves.” Maryanne handed the clerk cash to cover the bill. “You still haven’t answered my question. Why are you detaini ng my sisters?”

“They have been reported missing by t heir families.”

“We are their family. And they are of age. Have you never heard of someone choosing not to be around a toxic family environment? Why do they not have the freedom to worship the way they choose?” Maryanne took the bags of fabric, handing one to each girl. “I take it you’re escorting them to your station. Where is it located, so we can send our lawyer to save our sisters from this unlawf ul detainment?”

This was the most I’d heard any woman living at New Hope say. Apparently, she was part of the leadership. At least for the women.

“We’re on Main Street, ma’am. And your attorney is more than welcome to talk to our captain.” He frowned at the bags. “They can’t take th ose with them.”

“My sisters are helping me carry the fabric for our new dresses to our van. Do you expect me to carry all these heavy bags by myself? If you want, they can set them on the sidewalk and Brother Fred and Brother Keith can load them.”

“That would be best. We don’t want these women to disappear again.” The officer looked over at me and Amanda. “Are you two wit h these women?”

Amanda put a hand on my arm, stopping me f rom responding.

“No, sir. We are just shopping for my new daughter-in-law’s wedding this weekend. We’re making birdseed favors for the guests to throw at the happy couple. It’s so much better for the environment than the traditional rice.” She held up the ribbon. “And we’re using both of her colors on the ribbon. Blue and silver. Won’t it be lovely?”

The officer blinked at the information overload. “Well, please stay where you are until we leave the area. I don’t expect a problem from a religious organization”—he turned and looked hard at Maryanne before continuing—“but it’s better not to put civilians in harm’s way.”

He turned away and started moving the women toward the door. Once they were outside, I turned toward Amanda as I watched Carlie and the other woman getting into the back of a police car. Maryanne stood with Fred and watched the car pull away as Keith loaded the bags from the fabric shop into the back. Then they all got into the van and drove away.

“You overwhelmed him with information about the wedding so he’d leave us alone.” I grinned at her while the clerk finished cutt ing our ribbon.

“He didn’t have a wedding ring on so I took a chance that talking about a wedding would make him uncomfortable. And it did. He didn’t even ask us our names.” Amanda took the ribbon and the receipt the clerk gave us to use to check out. “He’s probably going to hear about that fro m his captain.”

“Especially if the lawyer starts talking about overstepping.” I was impressed by Amanda’s plan. I had used the ploy of giving too much information about unimportant facts before, but not with this level of finesse. I might just learn a few tricks from hanging out w ith Greg’s mom.

We left the fabric store and glanced around the strip mall to see what other stores were there. Amanda took a deep breath. “The air here is so warm. And I’m starving. Any good Tex-Mex places around? I haven’t had good Mexican food since my last trip.”

We were in the middle of lunch when Greg called me. “We’re eating at the Three Tequilas. Do you want me to get you a to-go order?”

“Sounds good, but no. I’ve already eaten. I thought you were in the fabric store with the New Hope wom en,” Greg said.

“We were. Your mom’s doing a birdseed packet to replace the tra ditional rice.”

A second of silence held on the phone. “I’m not sure what that means, but great. Anyway, the report doesn’t li st your names.”

“The officer didn’t ask us our names. Or the women who were working in the store, for that ma tter,” I added.

“Sloppy work. Now the attorney will have holes to punch through. Anyway, Toby’s running Molly into Bakerstown to talk to Carlie. I suspect Vince will show up at th e station too.”

I didn’t respond, as Amanda was focusing on her food but listening carefully to my side of the conversation. “Okay, well, are you still going to be ho me for dinner?”

“Probably.” He sighed. “I guess they found another missing girl with Carlie. Bakerstown has this facial recognition program that they spent a pretty penny to buy last year. I have to walk around with high school yearbook pictures in my pocket to id entify people.”

“It’s not nice to have tech envy. Especially if it solves another case.” I smiled as I dunked a chip into salsa a nd took a bite.

“It’s not solving my case. In fact, now I have another possible suspect—the father of this other girl who sent Kane Matthews death threats last year when Kane wouldn’t let him talk to his kid.” He sighed again. “Esmeralda just buzzed me. I have a call from Bakerstown PD. I better take it. Where are y ou headed now?”

“We’ll be heading back to go play on the beach after lunch.” I smiled at Amanda, who nodded. “Let me know if you’re not coming home. I’ll grab a couple of pizzas from the wine ry for dinner.”

“Sounds like a plan, either way. Love you.”

He ended the call and I put my phone aside.

“Someone’s in trouble?” Amanda smiled.

“I think they’re going to be once Greg rats us out as being there. I just hope that they don’t want to interview us before next week. He did say that the other girl’s father had sent death th reats to Kane.”

“Sounds like there were several people not happy with New Hope’s former leader. Maybe that will help Greg solve the case sooner rather than later. I’d hate to think you’d have to delay the honeymoon any longer than you have already.” Amanda sipped her strawberry margarita. “This thing is strong. I might just take a nap when we head to the beach. I love the sound of the waves.”