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Harper glanced around quickly. Several people were watching them. She smiled at them and then sat back down. “You know I could just walk out of here. If you did anything I could call the police.”
“You could,” he acknowledged, “but then you would have to explain to them why you were poking around in the library during the party, an area strictly off-limits. Why don’t you explain it to me like I’m four.”
She stared at him and he knew she was trying to figure a way out.
“Rather than waste time creating a lie, just tell the truth. It’s simpler and less taxing.”
“Always threatening. That seems to be your style. The candle was a bit weak though. Hard to be afraid of a piece of wax.”
He frowned. “I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. I haven’t threatened you. If I had, you’d know it.”
She narrowed her eyes at him but whatever she saw must have convinced her she was wrong because she dropped the topic.
“Did someone threaten you?” Now he wanted to know. The thought of someone terrorizing this woman unsettled him.
“It’s none of your business. Just like what I was doing in the library.”
There was something in her eye, a glint that made him think maybe she was in trouble. Maybe she needed help. “That’s where you’re wrong. You weren’t supposed to be in the library. You have a reputation to uphold, and I could tell everyone how you were drunk and you made a pass at me.”
“I wasn’t drunk.”
He grinned. “No, you weren’t. Can’t use that as an excuse. But only we know that. They’ll all believe it because people love gossip. So, what were you doing in the library?”
She jutted her chin forward. “Alright. I was there looking for proof that Astrid Windsor had been in that room.”
He frowned. “Who is Astrid Windsor? Some historical figure?” Was the woman some kind of history nut?
“She was an eighteen-year-old girl, my niece’s best friend in fact, and she was found dead yesterday, buried up by the bluffs. She’s been missing for months.”
Flynn stilled. He studied Harper’s face. She wasn’t making it up. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. It made him want to pull her into his lap and soothe away all her pain. “I’m very sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you,” she said as she leaned back in the booth. “I have a lot on my plate. I need to go.”
Flynn wasn’t letting her off that easily. “Why do you think she was up at the Manor?”
Harper grimaced. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s part of an ongoing police investigation.”
“Are you a cop?” Shit. That would be bad. But she sure as hell didn’t look like a cop with those big hazel eyes and full pink lips.
“No, I’m Deputy Mayor of Cedar Bluff.”
“Harper,” a shrill voice called.
Flynn didn’t bother to turn to see who it was because he didn’t know anyone in that town, but Harper’s face blanched and fatigue haunted her eyes.
“Susan, I thought you were staying home today.” Harper started to rise but the woman came and stood at the end of the booth. She was tall with silver hair cut bluntly so it hung like a curtain around her head. Her blue eyes were cold and assessing. Frown lines appeared permanently etched around her mouth. An angry vibe rolled off her in waves. She was dressed in a long sweater and leggings with long boots. She was styled to thenthdegree as if she had—what did they call it?—a glam squad working overtime before she even left the house. Her whole image screamedlook at me.
“No. Too much to do. The Halloween Extravaganza is this Wednesday night and Jed Thompson is threatening to pull our permit if he doesn’t get to go over what he thinks are the necessary steps to protect the statuary and gardens in the square with me. I told him I would meet him here.” She turned to focus on Flynn. “I don’t believe we’ve met.” She offered her hand.
Harper seemed to grind her teeth. “My boss, the mayor of Cedar Bluff, Susan Duggan.”
“Flynn O’Connor.” Flynn took her hand and shook it briefly. It was like shaking hands with a skeleton.
Susan gave him an assessing look. “Didn’t I see you at the party at Everlasting Manor last evening?”
“Yes, I am with the Club’s security.” He hoped his terse tone signaled to the woman he didn’t want to chat. He wanted more information from Harper, like why she thought the dead girl had been at the Manor.
“I thought that was Ravi Shah’s job,” Susan persisted.
