the room. “It’s the aura, the mood a man feels when he’s with you that really seals his fate.”
“You think it was mood that made every man in the bakery turn and stare at this woman?”
“No. Men are very predictable. They like the shiny object. It’s why I get so many looks everywhere I go.”
Tori nibbled back the urge to laugh. If there was one thing Leona wasn’t lacking, it was an ego. Granted, it was justified—she looked amazing for her age—but still, it was there. And then some.
“But it’s what you exude, dear, that keeps them focused—for the long haul . . . or as long as you decide.”
“Okay . . .” Tori spun her chair just enough to afford a view of the library grounds and the town square just beyond its perimeter. “Then I should be okay, right? Milo and I have a lot in common.”
“Common, schmommon. I’m talking about the attraction, the excitement, the passion.”
She spun back to view her friend. “Milo and I do fine. Just fine.”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about, dear. There shouldn’t be any just about passion. Not the kind that will make him stick around, anyway.”
Was Leona right? Did she need to spice things up a little? Had they gotten too comfortable with each other?
Comfortable is good.
She shook her head. “Can we not talk about this right now? Please?”
“I’m just trying to help, dear.”
“I know. And I appreciate it, Leona, I really do. It’s just—”
The ring of the branch phone cut her off mid-sentence. She picked it up and held it to her ear, glancing at the clock on the wall in the process.
“Good evening. Sweet Briar Public Library, how may I help you?”
“Yes, this is Regina Murphy.”
Tori gripped the phone tighter. “Oh, yes, Miss Murphy, how may I help you?”
“I had a call on my answering machine from a Nina Morgan. Is she in?”
She looked a question at Leona, noted the way her brows rose in response despite the woman’s inability to hear any part of the phone conversation. “She is, she’s on the floor right now.”
“Oh.” The tone that had sounded rushed now adopted a hint of tension as well. “Are you the one who was at that birthday party the other night?”
“Yes. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You can figure out which one of your friends murdered Ashley. Unless, of course, that someone was you.”
She felt her hand moisten around the receiver. “Miss Murphy, I’m sorry to hear about Ashley, I truly am.”
“Oh, give it up. You’re not sorry at all. None of you are.” A pause gave way to a secondary rush of words. “Look, I’m calling for one reason and one reason only. My bracelet.”
“Your bracelet?” She peered at Leona, the woman nearly falling out of her chair in her effort to hear as much of Tori’s conversation as humanly possible.
“Apparently this Nina person found a bracelet of mine on the library grounds. Her message said she saw the inscription on the inside and suspected it was me.”
Tori pushed her chair back and stood, her gaze skimming the top of Nina’s desk. Sure enough, a silver bracelet sat dead center with a sticky note bearing Regina Murphy’s name attached. “Oh yes, I see it right here.”
“Can I put you on hold for a moment, my dinner just arrived.” Without waiting for a response, the woman disappeared from the line, the sound of her footsteps in the background the only indication it was still an active line.
Covering the mouthpiece with her hand, Tori provided a name to go with the caller. “It’s Regina. Regina Murphy.”
“I got that, dear.” Leona’s eyebrows rose still further. “Shall we ask her which one of us she truly suspects of murder? Or do you think she imagines it was more of a group effort?”
“Shhh. Not now.” She pulled her hand from the phone and listened to the voices in the background. “She’s getting pizza,” she whispered.
Rolling her eyes to the ceiling, Leona lifted her shoulders momentarily. “So tell me about this meeting with Milo’s girlfriend.”
“Milo’s ex-girlfriend, Leona.” She reached for the phone cord and wrapped it around her finger. “I guess Milo thought it would be good for us to meet.”
“And?”
It was Tori’s turn to shrug. “It was awkward at first, but then it got better. She showed me the six designs she’s just completed for Spotlight Fashions. And Leona? They’re amazing. The beaded detail on the skirts, the charmeuse waists, the ruched bodices—they’re incredible. I had no idea Beth