I laughed and held out my hand for a napkin and wiped the water from my screen. My screen saver of Brad and me at the local brewery appeared. I smiled, admiring my man. He was close to forty, with thick black hair cut close to his scalp, a sharp nose, and eyes a little closer together than average. He wasn’t what you’d call traditionally handsome, but I found him immensely appealing.

  Gran gave me a mischievous grin and wagged her brows. “If I were a few years younger, I’d give you a run for your money with that one.”

  I chuckled and tapped my weather app. “I don’t doubt it.”

  A stream of people rushed from the library doors, racing for their cars. Several I recognized as regular attendees. There went what was left of the club meeting.

  I grabbed my umbrella and ran around to get Gran, and she and I huddled under my umbrella and ran across the parking lot. The rain pelted us from both sides as the wind swirled around us. We took shelter under the awning just as Mel came out the front door.

  “I was so worried.” Mel hugged Gran and me as a few more people dashed past us. “Y’all just missed Amelia. She left about five minutes ago. Some family stuff came up. Her sister, I think.”

  I nodded, recalling Amelia mentioning to me something about a sister and how they weren’t close. Amelia Klein was one of our core members. “I hope she makes it home okay.”

  “I told her to text me the second she pulled into the driveway.”

  “That’s good of you, little Mel.” Gran touched a strand of Mel’s blond hair. “You’re looking good. Even with this frizzy mop atop your head.”

  Mel’s hand went to her hair, and she made a face. “Thanks, Gran. The bottom fell out when Amelia left, and I forgot my umbrella. Not all of us can rock the messy hair thing, like you.” Mel grinned and hiked her purse up higher on her shoulder and glanced toward the parking lot where she’d parked.

  Alerts blared over our cell phones with a tornado warning just as the local sirens sounded.

  “Terrific,” I grumbled. “Guess we better get inside.”

  “Yeah, I guess so. Well, we were aiming for an exciting meeting this month.” Mel pulled open the door and fussed with the frizzy hair stuck to her forehead and the back of her neck.

  “Yeah, and this is an exhilarating day.” Gran followed Melanie while I held the door.

  Chapter Three

  The library, built with a mixture of stone and brick to keep with the style of our town square, had a lot of large glass windows. We would need to be far away from those lovely additions.

  We rushed inside and heard the scrambling in our usual meeting room. Courtney Hampton—or I guessed it was Daniels now, since she’d married our chief of police—looked like she was directing traffic. Courtney hadn’t mentioned whether she’d be changing her name, but I assumed she would, being the traditional type. Courtney had taken the job as library manager last year, and now she stood, looking positively frustrated as her blond hair escaped her messy bun. She pursed her lips when she saw me. I wasn’t sure exactly why she didn’t like me, but she sure didn’t.

  “Everyone, quickly yet calmly, make your way inside conference room A, please.” Courtney’s arm pointed toward our usual room.

  Mel, Gran, and I walked with purpose toward the meeting room. Thankfully, there weren’t many windows in that space. The few people who remained sat on the floor in the corner of the room containing no glass windows. Rosa Landry, another one of our core members, waved us over.

  I went and took a seat next to her on the floor. “Wow, it’s coming down out there. Not the way I envisioned this night going.”

  Rosa shifted on the floor, sitting crisscross style. “It’s a fast-moving storm. It’ll be here and gone in less than half an hour. The heavy stuff is directly over us. The storms you worry most about are the ones that hang around for too long.”

  “You okay?” I asked her when I noticed how exhausted she looked.

  “Yeah,” she half laughed. “I guess I got that raccoon eye thing going on. I’ve worked way too many graveyard shifts lately. But we’ve all got to take our turn.”

  “You’re a trooper.” I nudged her with my shoulder and said hello to a few members who weren’t busy on their phones with family. Several were talking to their kids, attempting to calm them down.

  “Here.” Mel thrust a cup of coffee into my hand as she took a seat next to me a minute later. “Courtney is in fine form. She about bit my head off when I went to the refreshment table. But we’re soaked to the bone here.”

  I took it gratefully. I glanced back to where Courtney was fussing at several other brave souls in need of a generous dose of caffeine.

  Gran pulled one of the chairs from against the wall, and I handed Mel my coffee and got up to move the chair for her. She sat down with her coffee as I settled back on the floor.

  Courtney opened her mouth, and Gran raised her finger. “Nope! Don’t order me around, young lady. I’m in my eighties, and I’m not sittin’ on the floor. If the tornado gets me, I’m good with it.”

  Courtney physically deflated and shook her head.

  “Besides, I don’t mind living dangerously,” Gran continued. “Lyla and I nearly were killed by some crazy driver in a gray Mustang on the way over.”

  Eyes went wide, and Gran smiled.

  “They didn’t nearly kill us.” I cut my eyes playfully toward Gran, who grinned like a Cheshire cat, before I explained to Rosa what happened.

  “License plate?” She had her phone out.

  I shook my head and took another sip from the cup. “It was raining too hard. But someone else might’ve. It’s something you should look into, for sure.” I held her gaze, and she nodded, understanding.

  The lights flickered a few times, and the sirens blared. Sounds of alarm among the group were audible.

  “Oh my God. I shouldn’t even be here today. But that’s what I get for being a good employee and trying to get things in order before going on my honeymoon. Now I might die before I ever get a chance to see another country,” Courtney said as she settled on the floor.

  Wow. Melanie and I held back snickers as we sipped our coffees. The woman was a tad on the dramatic side. Tornadoes were part of our lives here. They could be deadly, yes, but every time we had an alarm didn’t mean we were going to be hit by one.

  Her hysteria excited several folks, and they started rising, stressing that they needed to leave and get home.

  “No.” I shook my head. “This is a fast-moving storm. I think we should all stay put for now.”

  Courtney threw up her hands. “Well, if Lyla Moody thinks we should stay, I guess we all better.”

  “Ouch,” Melanie said as she sniggered loudly into her cup. “She sure likes you.”

  Gran nudged me with her knee, and I waved my hand. I would not be engaging in any arguments this evening. Courtney was allowed not to like me.

  Courtney whispered to the woman next to her, and they both started to rise.

  Rosa stood, her cop voice steady and authoritative when she spoke. “No. We all need to remain inside.” She then relayed the storm data. People still stirred, faces drawn with concern. Several were furiously texting on their phones. Courtney’s coworker consoled her as she settled back on the floor.

  I turned away from the blubbering Courtney and scrounged up a smile for those seated next to the wall. “How amazing was Agatha Christie’s book A Murder Is Announced?”

  “Incredible!” Mel said from my left. “We were just all raving about it earlier. Right?”

  Heads began to nod.

  “I just love that we’ve decided the month of October is exclusively Agatha Christie novels. It doesn’t get any creepier than the old-school classics. The characters are portrayed raw and desperate instead of gruesome, like in horror novels.”

  Tammy, one of our newer members, piped up from the far end of the corner. “I’ve read almost every novel Christie has written. The notoriety her name carries is warranted.” Tammy had belonged to the other club that merged with ours.

  “I completely agree.” Rosa ran a hand through her dark hair. “Like I told the club earlier, the boldness it took to put the ad in the paper riveted me. For the killer to prophetically proclaim their premeditated murder without fear of getting caught takes guts.”

  “Yes.” Tammy’s head bobbed up and down. “I read that novel years ago for a high school assignment. It was way better this time around. When the lights went out—”

  Sharp intakes of breath were audible as the lights flickered again. A few giggles went up, followed by several sighs of relief when the lights didn’t go out.

  “Anyway,” Tammy continued with a smirk, “it’s a compelling read. Even better the second time around. I caught things I’d missed the first time. I think tailoring the Halloween party around this novel is magnificent. And making it fifties themed is the icing on the cake. I put the advertisement up on my refrigerator.”

  “I got mine right here.” Gran dug through her bag and waved it around. “It’s going to be a jim-dandy of a party!”

  I informed everyone of what Elaine had told me about the bookings and how excited she seemed.

  “That goes along with what Joel told me,” Tammy said, speaking of another club member who had left early. “He said the Holiday Inn had never been booked solid for as long as he worked there.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Melanie’s watch pinged, and she glanced down at it. “It’s all anyone talks about when they come in the shop.”

  Melanie owned Smart Cookie, located right next door to my office at Cousins. We were neighbors both in business and at home. Her townhouse backed directly up to mine.

  “Amelia?” I asked, referencing Melanie’s watch notification.

  Mel nodded with a smile. “She’s home safe and sound.”

  Melanie, Rosa, and I all let out a little sigh of relief. We were a tight-knit group.

  “Well, I think it’s truly clever of you girls.” Gran smiled.

  Ten minutes later, the conversation had livened up, and the sirens halted. People began to rise and check their phones. As everyone else calmly filed out, Courtney dramatically stormed out instead, but not before she informed Rosa that Quinn would hear of her rudeness. Rosa rolled her eyes after the woman left, and she, Mel, and I cleaned up.

  Gran waved at me from the doorway. “I’m gone too, sugar.”

  I paused with my hands full of empty Smart Cookie boxes. “Wait, I’m your ride.”

  “Nope. My honey just texted me. He’s outside.”

  Gran had been seeing a widower from the senior center for three months now. I wasn’t sure which one, because she didn’t keep them around all that long. When I asked her about her dates, she told me life was too short to be bored to death. When death came knocking, she was going out with a bang. I couldn’t argue with her logic, though I did worry about her.

  My parents did too. My grandmother lived with them. She had moved in with us when I was thirteen after my grandfather suffered a heart attack. She’d been a coconspirator in all my endeavors and remained one of my best friends. Mother always said she deserved a prize for allowing Daddy’s mom to move in with them. I always thought Gran was the prize. She certainly added a missing element with her presence.

  “Tell him he better be careful on that bike of his.” I dropped the boxes in the trash.

  “A biker?” Rosa’s eyes went wide.

  “Yeah, he’s got a sweet red three-wheeler with purple-and-black flames down the side.”

  Rosa hooted, clapping her hands. “Go, granny!”

  Melanie grinned.

  I shot my friends a look that I hoped they understood: Don’t encourage her.

  “Rock on!” Gran flashed the universal sign.

  I shook my head, mumbling, “Oh Lord.”

  Gran turned to me. “You know who you sound like, Lyla?”

  “Oh, I know!” Mel raised her hand, enjoying this way too much.

  “Don’t.” I held up my hand in a stop motion before striding over to Gran. I bent down and gave her a giant hug, being careful of the sharp corners. I forced the image of an accident with my bony little gran crushed on the road from my mind and took a deep breath. “Have fun, but be careful.”

  “Sure, I’ll be careful. Night, girls!” Gran released me and gave a finger wave to Rosa and Mel. “See y’all at the party.” She reached up and pinched my cheek. “Tell your folks not to wait up.”

  I knew she had done it to annoy me. “Oh no, you’re telling them that, and—”

  She winked at me. “Night, Frances.”

  At the mention of my mother, my friends roared with laughter.

  Chapter Four

  My phone blared with my Mother’s ringtone while I searched for the perfect shade of lipstick. “Hel—”

  “Lyla Jane, where is your grandmother?” my mother said without preamble. “Your father is wearing out the rug with his pacing.”

  I smoothed out my dress and checked my reflection in the mirror, pleased with my transformation. I cleaned up quite nicely. “I have no idea where Gran is. I haven’t seen her since she left the book club meeting the other night. She’s probably out buying last-minute touches for her costume. Our party is tonight.” Gran had always been the last-minute type. A trait I hadn’t inherited.

  I applied a daring red to my lips. “Have you tried her cell phone?”

  “Of course I’ve tried her phone. Multiple times. She is too old to be going out and behaving like a rebellious teenager.” Mother tended to be more on the old-fashioned side, but recently, she had started to come around to a more modern way of thinking. Still, as much as she’d evolved, Gran staying out late did not sit well in that household.

  “I’ll track her cell phone.” I opened my laptop and began my search.

  “Thank you, dear. I apologize for my derogatory tone. It’s just your father and I worry about her, and she came home on a motorcycle the other night in the rain.”

  “Yes, I know, and I understand. But you can’t expect Gran to give up her independence.” Just then, Gran’s cell popped up on the screen heading down Main Street. “She’s on her way home. You can tell Daddy to stop with the pacing. ETA less than five minutes.”

  Mother let out a sigh and relayed the message to my father. “Your father says thank-you.”

  “Not a problem. I’ll catch you later. The Jane Does have to set up early for the party.”

  Mother cleared her throat. “I read your announcement in the paper. I understand it’s a party, but did you have to make it sound so dark and menacing? I’ve been getting calls for days.” Her tone held a tinge of disapproval—just the thing to refocus my attention. Strategic thinking on her part. I almost laughed. Bless her heart, she tried to understand me.

  “It’s an Agatha Christie–themed party.” I chuckled. “It’s supposed to be dark and menacing.” I secured my brooch to my dress. “Our community page is abuzz with excited people who do get it.” Our club had an online Jane Doe Community Page where we did most of our advertising. The paper ad had been for effect. “And as Halloween parties go, it’s quite glamorous. You should see my costume. It’s a lovely vintage piece. I’ll look like I walked right out of a fifties fashion magazine.” I glanced down at my lovely dress.

  “Well, that does sound nice.” Mother’s tone brightened. The Moody women were fashionistas to the core. “You’ll have to send me a picture. Oh, your grandmother is finally here. Speak to you later.”

  “Night.” I’d started to hang up when I overheard Gran’s chatter, and when Mother didn’t disconnect the call, I knew my grandmother would be asking to talk to me. It’s how it usually went when Mother and I were on the phone.

  “I couldn’t hear the phone ringing with my helmet on,” Gran said, not speaking to me, but I could tell by the volume increase that she’d commandeered the phone. “Y’all need to get out more. Have some fun and quit worrying about me. James, you seem to forget that I’m your parent and not the other way around.” Gran sneezed and then said to me, sounding congested, “Hey, sugar pie. I just wanted a quick word with you. I saw Rosa at the record store downtown a few hours ago. I’m a little worried about her because she was crying and yelling at someone.”

  “What? Who was she upset with?” I gripped my beaded handbag.

  “I don’t know. She was on the phone, and something had her all worked up. When I went over to her, she hung up fast and tried to act like nothing was wrong.”

  Gran blew her nose. Loudly. “I only caught bits and pieces of the conversation on my way over to her. She got all red-faced when she told the person to back off or they’d pay. I wonder if she has a stalker or something. You might want to call her.” A coughing fit overtook her.

  “Are you ill?”

  “I might be coming down with a cold.”

  “Oh, take some of Mother’s organic elderberry syrup. That stuff works wonders.”

  “Yeah, I will.”

  “Why would you mention a stalker?” My stomach clenched.

  Gran sneezed again. “She kept looking around as if someone might be following her. And when Rosa left, she dropped her keys when she went to unlock her cruiser. I know she’s a cop and all, but we single ladies have to stick together. I hear you, Frances.”

  Gran didn’t sound well. “I hate to say this, but you should stay home tonight. Get to bed and drink lots of fluids.”

  “Yeah. I will. I think I might take it easy for a few days. Have lots of fun for me! Night.”

  “Night.” When Gran didn’t argue with me about not attending the party, I knew she must be feeling rough. I’d miss her there but consoled myself with the knowledge that the family doctor would take care of her. Even if my daddy, Dr. James Moody, was technically a psychiatrist, he still felt the need to look everyone in the family over when they were ill.

 

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