Chapter One

Is it down there? Yes, there’s the body. Splayed out like a chicken ready to be cut into pieces before grilling. One leg looks funny, angled away from the torso. Must be broken. Only matters if he’s alive.

He isn’t. He couldn’t be after that shove and the distance. I can still hear him yell. Must have been a surprise, being tripped and then shoved into an abyss.

Wait. I see movement…is that his head?

No. Just my imagination.

There’s no way he lived after that fall. Now what? What do I do? I must stop looking. If someone comes up on me like this, they may assume I pushed him over the cliff.

I’m going back to the dorm.

Go on, one foot in front of the other. Faster. You can do this. Run, get away from the body.

I didn’t see a thing.

That’s what I’ll say to myself and to anyone who will listen. With repetition my account will sound even more convincing.

“I didn’t see a thing,” I’ll say. “I was hiking and then returned in time for dinner.” Just that simple.

That’s my truth, and who will deny me my truth?

Not gonna think anymore, just keep running.

Oh look, a couple of students up the path. I’ll stop and catch my breath. I’ll look like a normal hiker. Normal except for one thing: I saw a person fall to his death careening over a cliff.

* * *

One Week Ago

“Do you care where I keep my dirty clothes?” Sage held a pillowcase, stuffed to overflowing, in both arms.

“I bought a couple of new laundry baskets and put them in the laundry room.” Olivia smiled at her sister. “Coffee is ready, do you want to take a break?”

“Meet you on the deck,” called Sage over her shoulder.

In the kitchen Olivia bent down to pat Mayor Maguire. “Hey, doggo, ready for your breakfast?” She glanced at the coffeepot. Drip, drip, the last drops filled the carafe. Placing two mugs on the counter, she opened the bottom drawer where she kept the kibble.

“I have moo-food for you today,” she told the dog. He waited with a smile, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. “We finished the cluck-food yesterday, remember?”

Mayor Maguire took a step toward his food bowl.

“Tired of my chitchat? Don’t worry, I’ve got the food right here.” She bent over to place the metal bowl on the floor. “Eat up, big guy.”

He makes me so happy—a dog who’s never picky and always appreciative.

Olivia turned toward the counter. Filling each mug nearly to the top, she leaned over to deeply inhale. Ahhh, the perfect roast. Sage’s favorite and mine too.

With one mug in each hand Olivia made her way toward the great room. She set one mug on the stone mantle above the fireplace. With her free hand she punched the button, and the floor-to-ceiling glass door swept open. Picking up the mug, she walked outside.

“I’ve got the door,” called Sage, only steps behind.

Olivia placed the mugs on the table between two cushioned chairs as the door closed behind the two women. She sat down, casting her eyes upward. Tall pine trees rose from the earth. At the very top she could see the uppermost branches sway gently in the breeze. Looking through the woods she caught sight of Lily Rock, the town’s namesake. In the early morning sunshine the alabaster surface of the rock shimmered, casting off sparks of light.

This is the best way to begin a day.

Sage plopped down on her chair, reaching over for the mug.

“Is the coffee hot enough?” asked Olivia.

“Perfect,” replied Sage.

There was no need for conversation as the two sisters sipped coffee. They both took in the beauty, enjoying the silence. Several minutes later Olivia finally spoke. “I am loving this cool weather. Fall feels right around the corner.”

“My students broke out the puffy jackets this week—that’s my official sign that we are finally getting into the new semester,” replied Sage.

“How are your new boarding students working out?” Olivia had assisted Sage on moving day, directing parents and teens to their dorms and to the cafeteria. “It’s been at least two weeks since I’ve been over to see how everyone is getting along. The Friday before parent weekend must bring a few complications.”

“All is well. No one is complaining about the food, at least. That’s what usually brings the parental phone calls. You know the ones. ‘Why isn’t Amy getting her vegan lunch?'” Sage used a high voice to imitate a typical phone call from a parent.

Olivia smiled. “So remind me, your new chef is named Cookie?”

“Yep.” Sage put down her mug. “You haven’t met Cookie, but off the top of your head, what do you think a person named Cookie looks like?”

“The first thing I thought of was Mrs. White in the old Clue board game. You know, dressed in a fluffy apron, in her sixties with white hair.”

“Nope.” Sage’s chin dipped as she hid a smile.

“So tell me. Who is this Cookie?”

“He’s not a woman to start with.”

Olivia’s eyebrows raised. “Really? I assumed with a name like that…”

“You assumed wrong. Cookie is a man in his fifties. He wears a military haircut. You know, close-cut over the ears. Plus he has a goatee and a mustache.”

“Cookie is a nickname?”

“Right. His named is Charles Kravitz. He was a culinary specialist in the Navy before retiring. Everyone called him Cookie, so the name stuck.”

“And he cooks vegan? I never thought of the Navy as the kind of organization that catered to special diets.”

“He reluctantly cooks vegan,” Sage admitted. “I’ve had to use my most persuasive arm-twisting to get him not to swear at the students who need special meals.”

“A whole different group than the Navy,” laughed Olivia. “What other kind of special meals is Cookie expected to produce?”

“Oh, you know, the usual. Some students are lactose intolerant, so no dairy for them. A few don’t eat gluten, so Cookie has to be careful with wheat and even with baking so that the gluten doesn’t spread to the non-gluten goods.”

“Now that’s a challenge!” Olivia admitted.

“Running a school often comes down to what the kids eat and how clean the bathrooms are. If I can get past the first month without too many complaints, then I have the chance of keeping my job.”

“The Old Rockers wouldn’t fire you over gluten in the bread! At least not with Meadow on the board.”

“You haven’t heard?” Sage’s voice dropped as she squirmed in her seat. “The Old Rockers no longer run the academy like the old days. They appointed a new separate, independent board of directors for the Lily Rock Music Academy; we had our first official meeting last week.”

“I hadn’t heard.” Olivia took the last sip of coffee. “I’ve been working on Marla’s estate, you know, getting things ready to quitclaim the property.”

As she spoke, the glass wall behind them slid open. Olivia looked over her shoulder to smile at the tall man in a flannel shirt.

“So that’s where you are. I’ve been trying to call,” he said, grinning back.

“Hey, Mike,” called Sage. “Pull up a seat.”

By the time he dusted the tree pollen off the chair, Olivia returned with another mug of coffee and the pot. “I put the usual cream and sugar in yours,” she said. “And here’s some more for you,” she added, refilling Sage’s mug.

Michael’s deep-blue eyes took in one sister and then the other. “This new roommate arrangement seems to be working out for you both. Can’t remember when I’ve seen either one of you look more relaxed.”

“I’m loving it,” admitted Olivia.

“Me too,” agreed Sage.

“So are you both ladies of leisure, what with Marla’s estate and the inheritance getting settled? I imagine there’s a nice lump sum after you pay the attorneys.” He shook his head. “Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die, to quote Bradley Cooper. You can pour all your efforts into the band.”

Olivia sat back down before explaining. “As wonderful as that sounds, the estate still poses a few challenges. Of course, splitting the house would have been the biggest one, but all I have to do is quitclaim to Sage and that’s settled. After that we can move forward with evaluating what’s left.”

She continued, “We split everything down the middle. When all is said and done, we’ll both have a small income along with the investment of the house. But we still have to work for everything else. Maybe one day Sweet Four O’Clock will pull in enough income, but not yet.” Olivia sighed.

“There’s enough money not to totally panic if one of us gets laid off, but not so much that either one of us can actually thrive without another job,” added Sage.

“Is that how you see it?” questioned Michael, looking at Olivia directly.

“The perfect balance. I start my next temp job in a week,” she added, a teasing note in her voice.

Michael sat up in his chair. “News to me,” he said, scratching the back of his head. “I thought you were staying in Lily Rock awhile longer, or at least I hoped you would, until your band starts touring.” He looked dejected, not hiding his disappointment. “So you’re leaving. Down the hill to Playa, and who knows when we’ll see you again. Just like last time. I thought you’d stay now that you and Sage are roommates.”

“Not exactly like last time because my job isn’t in Playa. You’re not rid of me that easily,” Olivia said, reaching over to pat his arm. “I have a job right in town.”

A smile started at the corner of Michael’s mouth. “So you were teasing me, is that it? You wanted to see if I really cared instead of assuming that I don’t. Okay then, what job are you taking? Do tell.”

“Janis Jets hired me to help out at the constabulary until she finds a replacement for her last assistant.”

“Janis hired you?” gasped Sage, returning to the conversation.

“You gotta be kidding,” added Michael. “I never thought Janis would pay you to get involved in her work. She’s always complaining about how you nose yourself into her business, and now she hires you to work at the constabulary?”

“She’s not just letting me in, she’s handing me all the secrets with the computer access and front desk location. I’m her new girl Friday with a nose for crime.” Olivia smirked.

“You are not.” Sage waved dismissively. “You are a musician who sings and plays the autoharp. You can’t help it if people just keep confessing to you all the time.”

“It’s Olivia’s voice,” commented Michael. “And her eyes, and the way she just captures your heart. You want to confide in Olivia just to keep her listening a little longer.”

Now both women turned toward Michael. He smiled self-consciously. “I’m just sayin’, I’m not the only one who thinks Olivia has a gift. Apparently Janis thinks so too, or she wouldn’t have hired her as a temp.”

Olivia squirmed in discomfort. There he goes again, telling me how he feels in front of another person…

In order to change the subject, she turned to Michael. “So I have a job in town. Now you both know.” Then she addressed Sage. “Don’t you have to unpack and get your laundry organized before work? I’m not Meadow, but if she were here she’d say, ‘Time’s a-wasting.'”

Sage laughed. “Nobody can do Meadow as well as you. Not quite the same zing, but definitely a tone of knowing what’s best. Yes, yes, I’ll get going in just a minute. So many phone calls, so little time.” Sage didn’t move from her chair, her glance finding its way back to the forest beyond.

“Did you hear?” Olivia asked Michael. “Sage has a new chef at the academy whose name is Cookie. Now what kind of an image does a name like that bring up for you?”

Michael put his mug on the table with a grin. “A guy in his mid-fifties with slicked-back gray hair who used to be military.”

“You already knew!” Olivia cried.

“Not only heard about him but met him a couple of days ago. I was up at the academy looking at the plans for completing the new concert venue and ran into him. Seemed like a good guy. Don’t know if he’s a good cook.”

“No complaints that I haven’t resolved,” insisted Sage. She stood, her empty mug in one hand. “Since my laundry won’t sort itself, I’d better get going. You two can get along without me.” Sage winked at Michael. With a small wave of her hand, she pressed the button to open the glass wall. As soon as the door closed, Michael leaned closer to Olivia.

“Remember the dinner you promised me a month ago?”

Olivia looked down at her hands, feeling her cheeks grow warm. “I sure do. The one in Playa where you’d be spending the night.”

“Now that you aren’t returning to Playa, how about a Saturday night dinner in Lily Rock instead? I’ll make a reservation for us.”

“Who would have a table at the last minute? Parent weekend will make everything crowded.”

“I know some people who will make room for us at The Refuge. Been there?”

She’d only heard of the upscale eatery. “I haven’t been there yet. It’s right up the hill, toward Lily Rock, right?”

“Hidden in the pines, well into the forest. Very private. Very intimate setting, with tables for two nestled into the trees, waiters walking silently on cat feet.”

“Did you do the architectural design for the restaurant?” Olivia asked. “Sounds like your kind of place.”

“I wish I’d designed it. But The Refuge was built before my time in Lily Rock. The owner redesigned this past year and I think he may have borrowed my design at the pub. You know creative consulting doesn’t always happen with words.” Michael’s eyes glowed with satisfaction. “I know the owner and he says his chef is the best on the hill. He’ll find us a table for two. Does this mean we’re on for dinner?”

“Sure,” she said quietly, her heart beating rapidly. “Why not?”

Michael’s jaw tightened. How have I offended him this time?

His nostrils flared for a moment, his voice conveying disappointment. “Just a why not? I’ve been waiting so long to take you out. I suspect you’re not as excited as you were a few weeks ago.”

I can’t lie and say I’m all in, not just yet.

She looked up, her eyes taking in his open expression and the intent gaze directed straight at her. She sighed. He is irresistible.

“I want to have dinner with you, it’s just…” Her voice dropped away. How can I explain my feelings when I don’t know them myself?

Michael stood up, stretching his arms over his head. Through the slats she saw a squirrel chase another squirrel up the trunk of a tall pine tree.

Animals have it easier. They see what they want and they go for it. Why do my feelings go from off to on? No wonder he’s impatient.

“Don’t worry. I’m taking this slow. It’s just dinner. Nothing more,” Michael assured her, a calm expression returning to his face.

The knot in her stomach released. Still hesitant, she said, “I’m not very confident about moving forward. I wish I were better at this.”

Michael leaned closer to her chair. He kissed the top of her head as she inhaled deeply. His scent, the lingering smell of citrus and mint, left her head reeling. She grasped his hand, holding it in her own.

He knelt down in front of her chair, placing both of his hands on her knees. “Honey, you don’t have to be confident. I will carry my certainty for both of us until you catch up. I plan on being the perfect gentleman until you give the word.”

A smile crept to her lips. I like this, handing over my emotions to him, at least for now.

“I’m still a bit confused,” she admitted to Michael. “With the job and Sage moving in, especially if I plan on staying here in Lily Rock. And if I stay in Lily Rock, I’ll have to give my landlord notice for my place in Playa. It’s a lot to think about.”

Olivia closed her eyes for a minute and then opened them. He remained on his knees, waiting for her to speak first. Then he leaned in ever so slightly.

I’d better say something or he’s going to kiss me and then who knows what I’ll do.

She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “Dinner sounds amazing. Let me know what time works, so long as it’s after six. I have to rehearse with the band in the morning and then check in with Janis that afternoon. Any time after that I’ll be back in time to get ready for our dinner.”

He patted her knees with both hands and then rolled back on his heels. Strong legs lifted him to his full six feet. “Good. That will work. I’ll text you with the timing.”

As Olivia rose to her feet, Michael opened the glass wall. A fifty-pound labradoodle had taken up residence on her sofa. Mayor Maguire lay spread out on the cushions, his chin resting on a pillow. He faced the fireplace, eyes closed, though his ear twitched a greeting.

Olivia sat next to the dog, running her fingers through his curly neck fur. “Good to see you, Mayor.” She reached over and gave him a big hug.

Mayor Maguire licked her hand, his tongue rough on her skin.

Michael called out to the dog, “Hey, Mayor. Want to go for a walk this morning?” His voice lifted at the end, causing the dog to stop licking Olivia’s hand. He bounded off the sofa to stand in front of Michael, who leaned over to give him a pat.

Mayor Maguire’s joyful bark echoed throughout the great room as he spun in circles before heading toward the front door.

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