“Didn’t think so.” Amie wrapped up what remained of her bagel. “I think you’re right that whoever sent the photos is probably more involved than just being an accidental bystander, whether they left the note or not. Why else would they want to be anonymous?”
“Maybe Benny was right,” David said, “and Savannahisa ghost, haunting us all, sending you photos of Benny going into your apartment for some reason.”
“It’d be a lot more helpful if she sent me photos of the person who killed her,” Amie said as they crossed the street.
David scoffed. “Since when was Savannah everhelpful?”
Setup for the fall festival was in full swing as they arrived at Willows Park. A sea of white tents flooded the grass. Hay bales were being loaded off a truck and constructed into a child-size maze. On the far side of the park, a Ferris wheel curved out over the lake. Several workers in hard hats swarmed the base of the ride as they attached the benches for people to sit on.
Amie and David wove through the park until they reached the culinary section, where local businesses were setting up booths across from a line of food trucks. David was first to spot the bright-blue banner that read “Eons Café” close to the end of the aisle. Madeline stood on one side of the booth, arms crossed as she scrutinized it.
“What’s your plan of attack?” David asked as they approached.
“I’m just gonna ask her if she thinks she might buy the bookstore.”
David pulled her to a stop. “Terrible plan.”
“Why?” Amie asked, indignant. “If she’s already getting measurements for the renovation, she must know something we don’t.”
“Or she’s delusionally optimistic. Either way, do you really think she’d just freely share her plans with a stranger who has cream cheese on her face?”
Amie wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “How about now?”
“Still a terrible plan.”
“I meant the cream cheese.”
“Oh. You got it.”
“Trust me.” Amie started toward the booth. “She’ll talk. I’m very personable!”
“Maybe you two can bond over your delusional levels of optimism,” David called from behind her.
Not waiting to see if he was following, Amie strode confidently up to the Eons booth. She could see now that Madeline was directing two workers hanging up a banner at the back of the tent.
“Hi, Madeline!” Amie chirped, rounding the side of the booth to where the other woman stood. “I’m Amie. Big fan of your establishment.”
It was remarkable to consider how much difficulty Amie had experienced speaking to people on her first day out of the time loop. Despite having yet to easily fall asleep alone in her bed, the occasional bouts of anxiety, and struggling to make her memory operate as it used to, she was finally starting to feel like herself again.
Madeline gave her a quick glance before returning to supervising the hanging of the banner. “Hi. Blueberry bagel, right?”
Surprised to be recognized, Amie said, “Yeah! That’s me.”
“I almost took it off the menu about a month ago.” Madeline’s gaze was still on the banner. “Once word got around, I had threedifferent employees mention you. Ended up keeping it on. A little higher on the right, guys.”
“Wow.” Amie was amazed. “Well, thanks for that.”
“We love our regulars.” Madeline circled back to the front of the booth to supervise the banner-hanging from there. Amie beamed at David as he caught up to her.
“I’m a beloved regular!” she whispered, shaking his arm.
“Congratulations,” he replied, gently removing himself from her excited grip. “Is she no longer a murder suspect now that she’s flattered you?”
“Oh. Right.” Amie cleared her throat, approaching Madeline once more. “I just wanted to ask … you know, as a faithful patron … I’d heard rumors that Eons might be expanding into the bookshop next door. Is that true?”
Madeline gave her a look so sharp Amie almost took a step backward. “Who told you that?” she asked. Her voice was calm, as if she was reining herself in after her initial reaction to Amie’s words.
“You know …” Amie waved her hands vaguely. “The rumor mill. Hard to keep track of who said what to who.”
