Trey gave Sean a nudge with his elbow. “Jasper said you ran through the woods like a deer. Not bad for a guy your age.”
Sean smiled at the playful jest. “I’d be more fleet-footed if I didn’t eat Makayla’s scones every time I came to town.”
Though I was delighted to see the burgeoning camaraderie between Sean and my son, I was unable to share in any expressions of joviality. It was just too soon. “Sean, I need to know…Is Carson going to jail for a long time, or is there a chance that some hotshot lawyer will get him off?”
Sean put his hand over mine. “His prints need to match the ones we found on Luella’s Eros statue if a murder charge is going to stick. He’s facing a string of charges based on what he did tonight, but I want to bury him using as much indisputable evidence as I can, and a print match could help seal the deal.”
I nodded. Carson’s fate was as of yet undetermined. And what of mine?
As if reading my thoughts, Trey said, “Are you going back to Novel Idea, Mom? I mean—you’ve met some real losers working there.”
“At least one loser, that’s for sure. But yes, I plan on returning—tomorrow, in fact, because Bentley has asked us to come in for a Saturday meeting after all that has happened this week. She also mentioned that she wants to talk to me about something, and I have a feeling it’s important.”
Despite all that had happened, I wanted to be a literary agent. I wanted to discover fresh voices and unique plotlines. I wanted to read the untold stories—those gems brought to the surface so that they glimmered in the light. Stories destined to be shared with the world. “I belong there,” I added, giving Trey a smile.
He glanced beyond the campfire, his gaze finding Iris as she and other co-op members set out food for supper. “I get that.” His eyes returned to me. “But if anyone ever tries to hurt you again, they’ll have to answer to me!”
Sean clapped Trey on the shoulder. “Good man.”
At that moment, Iris approached our intimate little circle and offered me a mug of black coffee and a piece of toast. I accepted the food but caught her by her slender arm before she could retreat.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the red notebook sooner?” I demanded, refusing to let her pull away.
Her birch pale cheeks filled with color. “I’m sorry! I never meant to put you in danger. It’s just that pretty soon after I showed you Marlette’s birdhouse in the meadow, someone trashed his cabin.” Her arm went limp. “I didn’t know whether I could trust you after that happened. After all, no one else but you and the cops came up here asking questions about him.” She shot Trey an apologetic look.
“So you told my son about the red notebook today just to see if I would go looking for it?”
Iris nodded miserably. “It was a test. If you didn’t search for it, I’d know you already tore apart his cabin and took the notebook, but if you went looking for it with Trey, I’d know that someone else stole it.” She sighed. “I should have hidden the red notebook before the place got trashed. I was planning to tell you everything after you guys got back from the cabin, but I didn’t think…I never thought the person who took the notebook would follow you here. I’m really sorry.”
I squeezed her gently and then let her go. “You were just trying to respect Marlette’s memory by protecting his possessions. You’re the only other person who genuinely cared about him, and I don’t blame you for what happened tonight. Not for a second.” I managed a weary smile.
Sean, who had been prodding at the fire during this exchange, got to his feet and brushed my shoulder tenderly with his fingertips. “Are you up to confirming your statement tonight? Or would you like Trey to drive you to Dunston first thing in the morning?”
Trey’s eyes were wide with pleading, and I knew he wanted to act as my guardian for a while. “We’ll have some supper, and then I’ll decide. I’m not really hungry, but eating will help me feel normal again, and I have a feeling the food here is better than what you’ve got in your vending machines.”
That earned me a chuckle. Sean patted his belly and said, “Body by Frito-Lay.”
The laughter welled up inside me and poured from my throat like a bubbling spring. I couldn’t help it. Relief was showing itself through uncontrollable giggles that turned into hearty, deep-bellied laughter. I’d already trembled, cried, kissed a good-looking police officer, and cradled my son’s head in my lap. The pure joy of being alive overtook me, and I let it flow forth. Trey and Sean joined in.
Chapter 16
THE NEXT MORNING I WAS AWAKENED FROM A SLEEP SO deep and dreamless that finding my way to consciousness was like dragging myself through molasses. I opened my eyes, trying to discern what had roused me.
“Mom?” Trey peeked his head around the door. “Sorry to wake you, but it’s getting late and I need to bring the truck back to the co-op.”