I let out a breath even though the sight of Riley had a strangely calming effect on my racing heart. I wiped away my tears as subtly as possible. “What are you doing here?”
He cocked a brow. “I might ask you the same question.”
“I live over there.” I jerked my thumb over my shoulder toward the bakery a few blocks down the street.
“If you live over there, what are you doingherein the middle of the night?” His eyes narrowed as he took in my slightly puffy eyes. “Are you okay?”
“It’s not even 9:00 yet, but if you must know, I was visiting a friend.” I put a hand on my hip and stared him down. Focusing on his sudden appearance was easier than thinking about everything else. “And what about you? What are you doing skulking around in the ‘middle of the night’?”
“Skulking seems a bit harsh,” he said, his scruff not quite hiding his grin. “I’m looking into a few things.”
“Just like you were looking into things at the bookshop today?”
“Spot on.”
“Gee, that’s extremely specific and helpful. Thank you.”
“I see sarcasm is a family trait.”
I narrowed my eyes, but his grin only widened, a slight dimple appearing in his chin.
“And what friend were you visiting?” He leaned forward like I was going to offer a delicious secret, and his deep brown skin caught the light from the streetlamp.
“I fail to see how that’s any of your business, Mr. Nosy.” I kept walking down the street.
“What sort of reporter would I be if I weren’t naturally inquisitive?” His lip quirked at the corner, but his eyes were serious as he said, “Besides, considering someone else has died, I don’t think anyone should wander around on their own.”
My stomach tightened. “You heard about Graham?” It wasn’t a good sign that the news was already making itsway around town. With the way gossip spread through Austen Heights, it was only a matter of time before people connected his death to my family.
Riley nodded, his gaze traveling over my tear-stained face once more. “How did you know him?”
“He is—was my boyfriend—ex-boyfriend.” I swallowed and wiped at my cheeks again.
Riley studied me, his thick brows pulled together in a firm line. “Maybe Idoneed to talk to you,” he muttered, more to himself than to me.
My breath caught at his words, and I shivered again as the wind whipped through the trees. A single leaf quivered on the branch above me, holding on for dear life.
Riley looked me over again, then shrugged out of his jacket, revealing a strap across his chest and the hint of a tattoo in the shape of a serpentine tail on his upper arm. “Here, take this and let me walk you home.”
The warmth of his coat settled around me, bringing that same coffee and clove smell, plus the faint scent of wood smoke. I put my hands into his coat pockets to warm them, and my fingers curled around a small plastic pen cap. “Thank you.”
Riley’s tonegrew serious. “Do you know what happened to him?”
“I heard he was poisoned,” I whispered as my throat grew tight once more.
“Do you have any idea who might have done it?”
“I”—I swallowed hard and dropped my gaze—“I don’t think I should talk to you about this. You’re a reporter.” And telling a reporter that I had motive, means, and opportunity to kill Graham was a terrible idea.
“Whatever you tell me will be off the record.”
I jerked to look at him. “Why? You don’t even know me.”
“I know you’re Lizzy’s sister, and that’s enough for me.”
I tilted my head to the side. Even if telling him was a stupid idea, I couldn’t deny that a part of me wanted to. Elaine had refused to explore any angle in which I might be guilty, which meant that I couldn’t believe her when she said I was innocent. But Riley was a near stranger, someone who only thought of me as “Lizzy’s sister.” He owed me nothing and seemed to have no qualms about blurting things out. If he thought I was guilty, he’d tell methe truth. And in all actuality, did it even matter if I told him what happened since I was planning on talking to the police, anyway?
“You promise you won’t put any of this in a story?” No matter what happened, I needed to keep my family from getting caught up in another scandal. The extra stress was the last thing Dad needed with his already poor health.
