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The room falls silent.
It was just last month Everett and I were convinced that Evie and her friends did, in fact, commit murder.
We covered for her.
It was all one big nightmare.
But as it turned out, Evie was innocent. Everett and I essentially helped another set of teens get away with murder.
We’re not exactly thrilled with the idea.
“Geeze, relax,” Evie says, socking her dad on the arm before landing a kiss to his cheek. “I’m not a killer.” She kisses Lyla Nell before sailing toward the door. “But it’s nice to know I could get away with murder if I had to.” Her laughter echoes in the foyer. “Kidding! Smell ya later,” she sings as she shuts the door behind her.
“Oh, this is all so exciting.” Lottie hops in place. “Everett, when will we know for sure?”
“Most likely in the fall. The process can take several months,” he tells her. “I say we put all of our energy on Evie for now.”
“You’re right. I can’t believe she’s graduating from high school. This is a big deal. She’ll need a party,” Lottie notes. “I’ll get straight to planning the cake.”
“Cake!” Lyla Nell bucks and squeals.
“Oh, come here, you,” Lottie says, plucking her out of my arms. “I’m going to get a nutritious breakfast into your belly yet. How about blueberry pancakes?” She gives her stomach a quick nuzzle and Lyla Nell goes wild as they head over to the dining room table a few yards away.
“Pancakes sound good to me,” Carlotta says, staggering off after them. “I’ll take mine with bacon and a couple shots of vodka. That restaurant of mine is turning out to be a real killer.”
“She’s not kidding,” I say to Everett before nodding him over a few feet in the opposite direction. “Outside of a killer showing up last night, did you see who else was there?”
“I sure did.” His jaw redefines itself in anger. “What the heck do you think Jed is up to?”
“I spoke with Meg briefly. She says that place has been his haunt ever since he’s been back in town. It sounds legit. But I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I.” He glances back at Lottie. “I think I’ll head over to Red Satin later this afternoon and have a talk with him.”
“Text me before you leave and I’ll meet you there. It’s bad enough he’s in Vermont. We don’t need him breathing the same air as Lottie and Carlotta down at Rizzo’s.”
My phone bleats and I check the screen.
“It’s Ivy.” I sigh at my phone. “It looks as if the narcotics division is in over their heads with their latest case. I’d better take off for Ashford. There’s a big meeting in an hour.” I wince as I glance past him. “Let’s not bring this up to Lottie. And I’ll be keeping the details of Bella Hall’s murder mum as well. For once, I’d love for Lot to enjoy her life and not get tangled up in anything dangerous.”
“I agree,” he says. “Besides, with Evie’s graduation at the door, we’ll both have our hands full.”
I say goodbye to everyone but not before stealing a kiss from Lyla Nell and stealing a bite out of her pancake, too.
“Daddy tax.” I wink as I sneak another kiss and she laughs like mad.
I don’t get two steps outside the house when my phone goes off again.
Another text from Ivy.
Forensics has identified the bullet used to kill Bella Hall. I say we move on this. For once, I’d like to beat Lottie Lemon to the punch.
“Good luck with that,” I mutter.
Lottie is the best detective in all of Vermont, and I don’t think for a minute she’s willing to give up her title just yet.
But thanks to Evie’s valedictorian nod, and Everett’s bid to the Vermont Supreme Court, that might just be enough to distract her while I swipe the title away from her for once.
I’m off to catch a killer—if I can.
