Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,39

look at the doorway. “Hello, Agent Brookes.”

She nodded curtly at Addie and quizzed Marc with a raised brow. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes.” Marc straightened his shoulders. “Addie, if you hear anything from your cousin, please call the station and let us know. We have a few questions for her.” He tipped his hat at her and walked toward Ryley, gesturing with his head to the main door.

“What was that all about?” Ryley leaned into him, lowering her voice.

“We’re both looking for her cousin.” Marc swung around. “Addie, you don’t by any chance have a photo of Kalea, do you?”

“Yeah, on my phone.”

“Can I see it?”

“Sure.” Addie dug around her bag. “Oops, Serena must still have it.”

“Where is she?”

“In the dining room. I’ll go get it from her.”

“No, just text it to me later, that’s fine.”

“Actually . . .” Ryley laid a predatory claw on Marc’s arm. “Why don’t you send it to me?” A distinct undertone of venom wove through the silky-smooth tone. She thrust her business card into Addie’s hand. “I can run it through our database and see if it can locate her. You know, the last place she used a credit card or something.”

Marc gave Ryley a side glance. “Do you think that’s a good idea, considering?”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Considering what?” Addie’s gaze flitted from Marc to Ryley. The protective way he looked at Ryley made Addie realize it had nothing to do with the fact that she was still a suspect, but was a reference to something else.

“Nothing,” Marc said. “Just send it to me later.” He placed his hand on the small of Ryley’s back and ushered her through the main door. “What were you thinking with that comment about running the information through the FBI computer?” He lowered his voice. “Do you even have access right now?”

“I wasn’t thinking. It’s just an old habit. I’ve never been in this situation before.”

“If your field supervisor got wind of you using FBI resources while you’re on mandatory—” The door closed.

Mandatory what? Considering what? Addie needed to hear more. She hurried into the warm summer evening, not certain how she would explain to Marc why she was chasing after them. It didn’t matter. His cruiser was already pulling away from the curb.

Chapter 13

Addie scanned the dining room. Bruce told her he’d seated Serena by the wall of windows overlooking the harbor, but there was no sign of her redheaded friend. Then she spotted her in the corner by the server’s coffee station locked in a hug with Zach. Her eyes fought the sting of tears. What she wouldn’t give to have Simon’s arms around her right now. It had been one of those days when just feeling the beat of his heart in rhythm with hers would have fixed everything. Even if only temporary. She swiped a budding tear from her eye.

“Yoo-hoo, Addie, over here.”

She glanced in the direction the voice had come from and took a detour around a table of six to get to the grinning faces of Maggie Hollingsworth, a member of the book club, her mother, and a man Addie didn’t know. “Hi, Maggie, it’s nice to see you.” Addie nodded her greeting. “And Vera.” She paused when her gaze fell on the striking silver-haired gentleman seated with them.

“Addie”—Maggie gestured toward the man—“this is Art Dunbar. He’s one of my real-estate agents at Hollingsworth Realty.”

“Nice to meet you, Art.” Addie extended her hand. “I’m sorry, you didn’t look familiar. I don’t think I’ve seen any of your signs around town.”

“You will soon.” Art returned her gesture with a firm shake.

“Are you new to the business, then?”

“Heavens no!” Vera, an equally as graying-haired woman, piped in. “Arty’s been a Realtor for years.”

“Don’t mind my mother.” Maggie slid a side-glare at Vera and flicked a wave of bleach-blond coiffured hair over her shoulder. “Art is relatively new to Greyborne Harbor, but he was a Realtor for years in Seattle.”

Addie’s skin tingled at the tension between mother and daughter. On the other hand, she thought some mothers and daughters did often rub each other the wrong way. Not having had much to do with either woman outside of the book club, maybe this was normal for them. “Well, it’s nice to have met you, Art, and welcome to Greyborne Harbor. I hope you come to love this town as much as I have.”

“Oh, love won’t be an issue.” He reached his arm around Vera’s shoulders and gave her a light squeeze.

“Please, both of you control yourselves,” Maggie snapped,