The accidents. The fires. The substitutions. The routines. The near misses.
All at once, they looked different.
All eyes turned to Margo.
She had just completely changed the way they were looking at the investigation.
13
JUNE
After Margo’s revelation, the meeting began to wind down, as no one else had anything to add. But June could feel the tension in the room had shifted, and Holt added Margo’s information to the board, his handwriting steady even if the room no longer felt that way. Then the discussion started again in fits and starts until they wrapped it up.
People began to stand slowly, gathering papers, pushing back chairs, reaching for phones and car keys. The room’s tension did not disappear. It simply changed shape and became movement.
Zane closed his notebook first. “I need to go over a few things while they’re still fresh.” He pulled the chair back for Carmen as she rose beside him. “I also need to get some food. Would you like to join me?”
“Yes, I would love to,” Carmen said with a nod and turned to June. “I’ll see you at home later.”
“Enjoy your dinner,” June told them. “Try to put this out of your mind for a while.”
“We’ll try,” Zane said, unconvincingly.
Then Carmen and Zane left together, their voices low as they moved out into the hall.
“Do you need me to help clean up?” Harvey stood and stretched lightly before looking toward the refreshments table.
“Yes, please.” Margo nodded at once.
Harvey rolled up his sleeves without another word and started gathering cups, paper plates, napkins, and the remains of the snack trays with the quiet, practical ease of a man who had grown up in a family where people simply did what needed doing. Willa moved to help him, as did Rad. The four younger people moved around the room with Ace, stacking the spare chairs behind the door and splitting up the tables.
June and Holt helped wipe off the tables until finally the room was clean again.
“Do you want me to help with those, too?” Harvey glanced toward the boards and then between Holt and Margo.
“I’ll take them and lock them up for the next meeting,” Margo told Holt. “The storage closet here has a lock, and nobody but the inn staff has access.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Holt thanked her.
Across the room, Ace had moved closer to Willa again, their heads bent together as they discussed something before looking up.
“If there’s nothing,” Willa said. “Ace and I are going to get the kids from camp and take them for pizza.”
“Do any of you want to come with us?” Ace asked.
“I will,” Rad said. “I’m starved, and it will be nice to finally get to go out with my son, even though he’s staying at your house tonight, Willa.”
“I’ll join you for pizza. We can discuss the camping trip for tomorrow, too,” Margo said and looked at Harvey. “Harvey?”
“Thanks, but I can’t,” Harvey told them. “I have to fetch my uncle from Gainesville.”
The room began shifting again as those plans settled into place. Suddenly, the room was clearing as keys appeared. Purses were picked up as the younger generation moved towards the door.
Harvey stopped and turned back to look at June and Holt. “Text if you need anything.”
“We will,” June called after him.
Once Harvey had gone, Willa, Ace, and Rad went through the door.
