LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter One

      In the corner booth of the Sandpiper Café, Accomack County Deputy Sheriff Charlie Pruitt stared at the three Duer sisters.

      “Let me get this straight—you want me to arrest the new Kiptohanock librarian?”

      Watercolor artist Amelia Scott fidgeted on the cracked green vinyl upholstery. “Not arrest. Investigate.”

      Her sister, Caroline Clark, nodded. “Technically speaking, Miss Shaw hasn’t broken any laws.”

      Charlie raised one eyebrow. “Then technically speaking, this sounds like a waste of taxpayer dollars and the department’s manpower.”

      Amelia moistened her lips. “We’re asking you, as an old family friend, for a favor.”

      His attention cut to the youngest sister, sandwiched between Amelia and Caroline. She’d been uncharacteristically silent during the morning meeting. Everyone in Kiptohanock had always believed he and his childhood sweetheart, Honey Duer, would marry one day.

      Everyone, including him. Until a certain Coast Guardsman by the name of Sawyer Kole arrived on the Eastern Shore four years ago. Charlie had been cast aside like yesterday’s fish guts.

      Until Sawyer Kole abruptly left the Shore. Then Charlie played the fool by taking up with Honey Duer again. When Kole returned as suddenly as he’d left, once more Charlie had been jettisoned from Honey’s life like so much flotsam.

      He grimaced. Charlie was all too aware that in the love department, the town of Kiptohanock considered him a laughingstock.

      Charlie grabbed his regulation hat off the seat beside him. “If we’re done here—”

      “Something’s not right about that woman.” Honey placed her hands on the sticky linoleum tabletop. “She’s hiding something.”

      The fluorescent lighting caught the sparkle in the diamond ring on Honey’s finger. He squared his shoulders. Honey was lost to him forever. She was now Sawyer Kole’s wife and pregnant with their first child.

      Past time for Charlie to move on with his life. But so far, he had only his career. And law enforcement didn’t come close to soothing the raw, empty places Honey’s absence left in his life.

      Strapped in the stroller beside the booth, Amelia’s nine-month-old son, Patrick, let out a wail.

      Amelia fumbled through a diaper bag and handed Patrick a cracker. “We’re living on borrowed time, girls. Nap time awaits.” The baby made smacking noises as he gummed the cracker.

      “Why do you think the librarian is hiding something?” Charlie fixed each of the sisters with his most intimidating look. “Has she done or said something to make you feel threatened?”

      Caroline’s gaze flitted toward the plate-glass window overlooking the town square. “She hasn’t exactly said anything...”

      He crossed his arms over his brown uniform. “What has she done to raise your suspicions?”

      Amelia fiddled with packets of sweetener. “She’s always hanging around our family. Trying to insinuate herself. She insisted on helping Daddy grill hot dogs for the Fourth of July cookout. And she wanted to be my nursery helper during Vacation Bible School in June, but not help Miss Pauline’s second-grade class.”

      He rolled his tongue in his cheek. “Right. ’Cause such civic and church behaviors are so often warning signs for deeper, deviant issues.”

      Caroline glared. “You need to get serious about this, Charlie.”

      “You three need to get serious. Ever think maybe you have overactive imaginations?” He blew a breath between his lips. “Or a paranoia complex?”

      Amelia shook her head. “I thought the same as you, Charlie. That Honey was imagining things, until I started noticing the librarian’s behavior. She has a way of almost disappearing into the background. Then suddenly you realize she’s been there listening the whole time.”

      Charlie fought for patience. “Why am I not surprised this originated with Honey?”

      Honey’s eyebrows arched. “Are you implying I’m a drama queen?”

      “If the pearls fit...” He shrugged.

      Caroline bit back a smile. “Be that as it may, Honey’s right. Once she expressed her concern, I noticed how Miss Shaw is always studying the Duers. Not staring at the Colonnas or the Turners. Just us.”

      He frowned. “Like a stalker?”

      “She watches us.” Honey folded her hands over her rounded abdomen. “Especially Sawyer.”

      “This is about...?” Charlie hardened his heart. “I’m outta here.” He began easing out of the booth.

      “Miss Shaw watches all of us,” Honey said. “Sawyer most of all. But not in a romantic way. It’s just strange. And it scares me.” Her brown eyes misted. “Please, Charlie. We were friends once...”

      He stilled. Friends...when he’d hoped for so much more. But old loyalty to Honey warred with his better judgment.

      “I cannot utilize official resources without legal justification.”

      Caroline leaned forward. “But unofficially, could you make inquiries? At least talk to her?”

      “You want me to spy on her?” His voice rose. “Seriously?”

      Caroline’s mouth thinned. “Just get to know her. Find out what she’s after.”

      Amelia lifted her chin. “Honey’s seven months pregnant, Charlie. She doesn’t need this kind of stress in

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