Laughing heartily, Sean assured me that while the fountain was safe, I might not want to enjoy any meals on a town center park bench for a while.
“I know you probably can’t divulge the man’s name, but at least tell me that he wasn’t an author and that I’m not going to be reading about his evening with Coralee in a proposal one day.” This was delivered in jest, but Sean took my statement at face value.
“He was attending the conference and is most definitely an aspiring author, but let’s just say that you don’t represent his genre.” Sean seemed to be suppressing a chuckle. “Oh, this is exactly what I needed, Lila. For someone to lighten my mood.”
I hesitated to bring up the subject of the co-op. Now that Coralee had been dismissed as a possible suspect, Sean and the rest of the officers on his team had to search out new leads. I told him that Bentley would undoubtedly dig up useful information on Ruben Felden, Melissa’s disgruntled coworker, and then forged ahead and described my visit to Red Fox Mountain.
“Lila.” This time, when Sean spoke my name, his tone carried a hint of warning. “We’ve been through this before. There isn’t a speck of evidence indicating that Jasper or any other co-op member deals in illegal drugs. Granted, I haven’t been up there since the meditation center was built, but I doubt it’s stuffed with black lights and marijuana plants.”
I groaned a little at the image.
“Organic products are all the rage right now,” Sean continued. “Maybe he made a successful business deal and the goat’s milk products are being subsidized by a company with a wide distribution. Up until this point, the co-op’s goods have only been sold in Inspiration Valley and Dunston. Perhaps the demand is greater than those two towns and the co-op is reaping the benefits.”
Sean’s theory was certainly logical, but Jasper hadn’t answered my question about the goat’s milk products becoming more lucrative. Then again, he might have felt that the co-op’s business practices were none of my concern. Still, it seemed odd that he wouldn’t let Trey in on the windfall. Trey had designed the new packaging and was very involved with the goats. He knew the names of each and every animal and took great pride in the milk, cheese, soaps, and lotions created on-site.
“You may be right,” I told Sean, but only because I wanted to pacify him. In my heart, I felt there was something shady about the secrecy of the meditation center and the unusual number of college students making regular treks up the mountain. I was not going to allow my son to continue living and working in a place where illicit activities were being conducted.
“I can tell that you’re not convinced.” Sean chuckled. “And I know you well enough not to bother saying to put the co-op out of your mind. I also believe that your instincts are as finely honed as a top chef’s carving knife. If they’re telling you something’s amiss, then it probably is. But do me one favor.”
Caught up by his words of praise, it took me a moment to respond. “Okay.”
“Wait until I can come with you for a casual look-see around the mountain before you launch a full-scale investigation. Trey’s a good kid with more common sense than most young men his age. Trust him to sort out what’s going on and whether he wants to be a part of it. If he doesn’t, he’ll show up at your door none the worse for wear.”
I considered Sean’s advice. “All right, I’ll back off for now. But only because I trust your judgment and, heaven help me, I trust Trey’s, too. Besides, I’d rather focus all my spare energy helping you solve Melissa’s murder.”
Sean growled. “Lila! I told—”
“From the sidelines!” I added hurriedly. “Just civilian research, like the type I did discovering Coralee’s identity. I want this to be over, Sean, for Logan and Silas to have closure. I have selfish reasons for wanting this case closed, too.”
“You’re the least selfish person on earth,” he said with incredible tenderness.
“Not when it comes to you,” I said softly. “I want you all to myself. All of you. To myself.” The heat rose in my cheeks, and I knew that it wasn’t generated by the fire burning in my hearth.
“When this is finished, you and I will truly begin. I promise, Lila.”
That was a promise I could live with.
I SPENT TUESDAY morning focusing solely on work. Armed with an extra-large cappuccino and one of Makayla’s iced apple and date scones, I forged my way through proposals, queries, and contract reviews.
Just before noon, Vicky’s voice emitted through my phone speaker. “Ms. Wilkins, you have a caller,” she said. “The lady’s name is Kate Sallinger. Says she’s Melissa Plume’s editor friend.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Please put her through.”
“Hi, Lila,” Kate began, and though she tried to sound cheerful, there was an unmistakable heaviness to her voice.