“Piper.”
She moves to meet me in the center of the room as I make a show of looking around. I can’t actually say much has changed in terms of the layout and décor beyond some much comfier-looking chairs by the front windows, but it definitelyfeelswarmer and a hell of a lot more welcoming. I suspect my new sister-in-law and her sunshiny personality have a lot to do with that. I huff an amused breath through my nose at the realization that my brother and I share a type. Though my Sunshine isn’t quite as shiny as I remember anymore. The thought has my chest twisting with sadness.
When I turn back to find Piper watching me with curiosity, I nod in approval. “I like what you’ve done with the place.”
She chuckles, then shrugs. “I do what I can with the budget they give me.” She pauses, glancing around to make sure no one else is listening. There are several people in the room across the hall, but they don’t appear to be within earshot. “The town council is pretty tight with their wallet, especially since hiring Steph full-time, but I’m hopeful that if Mrs. Abernathy wins the mayoral race, she might loosen the purse strings a bit. She’s a frequent patron and member of my Mystery Maven’s book club,” she continues conspiratorially.
“So you’re saying I should vote for her?” I ask with a sly grin.
I remember the president of the Llyn Lakes Historical Society as being a snooty busybody, but considering what I’ve heard about our incumbent Mayor Alcott and his relationship with the recently incarcerated Leuen Davies, I’m not surprised Mrs.Abernathy would be winning in the polls. Nor am I surprised that Piper would be eager to end her working relationship with the current mayor, given her own history with Davies.
My mom had eventually filled me in on Piper and Aidan’s story once it became clear I wasn’t going to hear it from him anytime soon; how they’d met after she’d had a frightening encounter in the woods and run into him out at Ava’s old family cabin. He’d been there, hiding, licking his wounds, following his partner and best friend’s death. It was believed that Piper’s life was in danger, and Aidan, who was on leave from the department, had agreed to act as her temporary bodyguard. They grew close, and when Piper was eventually kidnapped, Aidan tore the world apart to find her. In the process, he and his colleagues succeeded in busting a drug ring that had plagued the county and much of the state for years.
Leuen Davies was a prominent part-time citizen—a summer person, as the year-round residents like to call them—and a good buddy of the mayor. He, along with his son Tommy and a number of other men, was convicted for the kidnapping and drug trafficking, as well as for several other criminal activities that came to light once the feds took over the investigation. According to my mom, Ava’s murder was also recently added to the list.
All that to say, the longstanding mayor’s character had been called into question, with many wondering what exactly he had known about his friend’s various criminal enterprises. Though nothing had been proven, the gossip mill, which wasconveniently run by none other than the mayor’s bitter ex-wife, Mrs. Abernathy, had succeeded in painting him with the dark brush of scandal and tainting his many previous decades of service to the town.
“Does that mean you’re sticking around, then?” Piper asks, her voice still low.
I nod.
“Because I just looked this up for someone last week. A person must reside in Llyn Lakes for at least nine months out of the year in order to be considered a full-time resident with voting rights,” she tells me.
“Well, I might have to wait for the next election, then,” I acknowledge with a chuckle, “but, yes, I’m sticking around. Just started a job at Aroma’s, actually.”
“Oh!Good for you. That’s … that’s good,” she says, offering me another small smile, but her eyes are wary.
“I think so.”
“Good,” she repeats. There’s a moment of stilted silence before I realize I’m still holding the drinks I’d brought.
“So, what can I help you with?” she asks at the same time I hold one up and say, “I brought you this.”
The awkwardness lingers as I extend my hand and Piper accepts the drink with a murmured, “Thank you.”
“I was told it was your favorite,” I say, to fill the silence.
“Thanks,” she says again, brightening. “You saw Lucy at the Bean?”
I nod as she takes a sip of the drink, then chuckle when she lets out a pleased little moan. Score one for me, I think, amused. Holding up the other cup, I glance over my shoulder and across the hall, then ask in as casual a voice as I can manage, “Is Steph around? This one’s for her.”
Piper’s eyes flash with delight, and she gives me a knowing smirk.
Guess I’m not fooling anyone.
“She’s not in yet, but I expect her soon.”
“Oh, okay.”
Piper gestures me over to her desk, and I follow, placing the extra drink down and taking the seat she indicates across from hers.
“It’s green,” I mumble, searching for something else to say.
She chuckles. “Matcha latte, I’m guessing. It’s Steph’s newfavorite. I remember when she first discovered it. Lucy had been urging her to try something different from the boring Sencha she always used to order, but Steph had resisted. She can be so stubborn sometimes, you know? Maybe you don’t …” she trails off, but then continues again almost immediately. “Actually, you probably do. I mean, I’ve heard a thing or two about your history, though honestly, Aidan is super closed-mouthed about you in general. And Steph’s worse, if you can believe that. She won’t even talk about the boys’ dad, so I guess it’s not surprising she wouldn’t share anything about her past with you, but …” she trails off again with a look of chagrin.
“Oh my God. I can’t believe I said all of that. I’m so sorry. It’s none of my business. Your history with Steph, I mean. Or … really … anything. I barely know you.Crap!” She smacks her forehead, and I fight a smile. “I’m still doing it. I’m sorry. Aidan says I always ramble when I’m nervous, and you just, well…”
She swallows audibly.
