Cass wore her charm like armor.
Zach carried a hollow ache behind his eyes.
Harmony clutched her notebook like a shield, though she didn’t write a single word.
People tried to look normal, and failed miserably.
“I swear,” Cass muttered, “if one more person asks if I’m holding up okay, I’m tossing them in the ocean . . . or a vat of scalding chili.”
“I’d pick a medium vat,” Harmony said. “So you can really savor their pain.”
They arrived at Mary’s booth. She stood behind her table with her hair pinned up, sunglasses perched on her face despite the gloomy sky. Her sign read:
Mary’s Inferno
Justice Has Flavor
Harmony arched a brow. “Nice and subtle.”
“Subtlety’s overrated,” Mary said with a smirk.
Zach nodded in agreement. “Smells good, Mary.”
Her lips curved dangerously. “Careful, Zach. This chili bites back.”
She scooped them each a serving. Cass took one bite and immediately fanned her face. “Holy hell, Mary. What did you put in this? Vengeance?”
Mary looked delighted. “Among other things.” Her gaze slid to Zach. “Doyoulike it?”
Zach swallowed, then coughed, then drank half his beer before managing a hoarse, “Burns good.”
“Pain means it’s working,” Mary said, already turning to help the next customer.
They moved on as the crowd pressed around them. The Avalon newspaper snapped photos, highlighting community spirit, carefully cropping out the tension simmering beneath.
Near another booth, Tosh and Torie were already in a heated argument. They’d been partners for years, but this might be their last. She stirred the pot like she wanted to drown Tosh in it. There might just be another murder before too long.
“You’re the one who said it needed more peppers,” she yelled.
“I didn’t mean the whole damn bunch,” he replied. “You dumped them in like you were performing an exorcism.”
“You have no taste buds. I’m the chef,” she shot back.
Harmony stepped closer with a too-bright grin. “Great teamwork, guys.” Her smile was faker than the plastic bat hanging from their booth’s sign.
Torie rounded on her. “You here to take more notes, Harmony?” she spat. She wasn’t even pretending they were friends anymore. “Just another couple for you to play with and call it friendship?”
Harmony didn’t blink. “Every story needs a good conflict,” she told her.
Torie stared a moment too long, something sharp flickering in her expression, as if some instinct deep inside her was finally waking.
“Well, you have plenty of that to work with on this island,” Tosh said cheerfully. The man was impossible to offend.
Torie glared at him. “You’re one to talk, Tosh,” she hissed. “Youareconflict.”
Harmony decided it wouldn’t be wise to eat anything Torie handed her. Not unless she wanted arsenic for dessert.
When a couple approached the booth, they took one look at the fighting pair and immediately turned on their heels. Tosh laughed. “You’re chasing everyone away, Torie. Planning to keep this chili all to yourself?”
