5. Hattie

The waves crash over the shoreline as the Sunset Soiree carries on here at the country club. A sharp laugh just interrupted the conversation Killion and I were having with Nora and Jane Jordan, and it turns out I know the cackling party all too well.

It's my sister, Neelie, chatting up a storm with her boyfriend, Dr. Stanton Troublefield, a plastic surgeon old enough to be her father, along with another man I don't recognize. The mystery man is tall, about the same age as Stanton, broad-chested, and has an air of distinction about him.

Neelie is my tall, blonde, and leggy younger sister. And seeing that Neelie seems to be dripping all over the mystery man, it's clear she's flirting heavily. I can't say I disapprove. Frankly, I've never been much of a fan of Stanton's.

"Who's that guy Neelie is talking to?" I ask, curious and a bit hopeful that she might be moving on from Stanton. However, for Neelie to move on, that mystery man would have to have a bigger bank account than our resident plastic surgeon.

I know that doesn't paint my sister in a good light, but let's be honest, Neelie doesn't care what light the world paints her in as long as she garners herself a few designer purses out of it.

"That's Dr. Erol Draper, a dentist from Pelican Bay," Nora answers, her gaze fixed on the group as well.

Jane leans that way. "Dr. Draper? He's quite the character. I've heard he's not just your regular dentist." Some have said his past is as patchy as the teeth he's supposedly fixed.

Interesting.

Jane nods my way with a glint of mischief in her eyes. "And if rumors are to be believed, his dentistry might not be the only thing causing discomfort. He's got a certain charm, but they say there's a bite behind that smile."

Sounds as if Dr. Draper and Nora have something in common.

"Well, if you'll all excuse me," Nora gives a slight bow, "I hear there are some lobster rolls floating around here somewhere. It was nice seeing you all," she says before glancing back at Jane. Don't worry, Jane. You'll get yours. Secrets have a way of coming to the surface around here—sometimes to the detriment of others. She nods at the thought before taking off, and a chill travels down my spine.

What in the heck was that about?

Cricket mewls from the ground and I promptly scoop her right up.

What's happening, Hattie?I know that look on your face.You're not pleased.

"I'm not sure," I whisper in her ear. "But it doesn't sound good."

Jane shakes her head in Nora's wake. She doesn't know what she's getting into. If she's not careful, she might just find herself in over her head. And I think she already has.

I shiver slightly, despite the warm summer air. Jane's words, both spoken and unspoken, linger with me, heavy and ominous.

It's clear something is going on between Nora and Jane. I just hate not knowing what that might be.

I'm about to turn to Jane and ask about her summer plans, just as a body bumps into me, causing a slight collision.

"Whoa," I say, steadying myself, only to find Missy Livingston looking slightly flustered as she narrowly avoids baptizing me with her cocktail.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Hattie," she stammers, trying to regain her composure. She looks stunning tonight with a white sheath dress over her tan glow. She starts to laugh but cuts it short as her eyes land on Jane. Her entire demeanor seems to shift at the sight of her.

"What do you think you're doing here, Jane?" Missy spits the words out lower than a whisper, but that doesn't stop both Cricket and Rookie from giving a little growl.

Jane laughs, clearly unfazed by the woman's icy tone. "I could ask the same of you, Missy," she says with a hint of amusement in her voice.

Killion lifts a finger. "It is a public event, after all." Why are these women warring with one another? And why don't I have a drink in my hand just yet?

I nod his way because I'm thinking the same thing on both counts.

Missy lifts her shoulders a notch. "Well, I actually have a reason to be here. Unlike some people who just show up uninvited." She stares Jane down as she jabs her with words.

"Uninvited?" Jane chuckles lightly, swirling her drink. "Unlike you, I actually belong to this esteemed club. And I certainly wasn't going to miss this event. It's not every day you get to see the crème de la crème of Brambleberry Bay playing in the same sandbox. And I can only guess why you're here. I'm sure it has something to do with that grift of yours?"

Grift?

Killion and I exchange another glance.

Something tells me I'd better change the subject. "Killion, this is Missy Livingston. She's a?—"

"Lifestyle coach," Missy says, quick to shake his hand. Now isn't this a fine piece of meat? "Nice to make your acquaintance."

Meat? I raise a brow in her direction. By and large, I try not to judge people for their thoughts, but this one deserves a side-eye in the least.

She turns back to Jane and the smile slides right off her face. "If you must know, I'm here to enjoy the evening, just like everyone else. Can't a girl have a little fun without being interrogated? But if you must know, why, yes, I will be teaching classes here at the club. And since you're an esteemed member, I guess I'll be seeing you on the sand." Or not. "Besides"—she leans toward the woman—"I think we both know the only grifter around here is you."

She takes off with a wave directed at Killion and me—mostly Killion.

"And on that note," Jane laughs, "I think I need another stiff drink myself. I think I'll join Nora at the bar."

She takes off into the crowd and Killion pulls me in close. And because of our newfound proximity, it sends Cricket propelling right out of my arms as Rookie proceeds to chase her toward the water line.

"What was that about?" He shakes his head in Jane's direction.

"I don't know. But it must be something in the air tonight. I thought things were a little tense between your mother and Jane as well."

"I picked up on that, too."

"Speaking of picking something up," I say, touching my earlobe and tipping my head his way so he can get a gander at the sparkling emerald earrings I found in that pretty pink box this afternoon. "Thanks for the gift. Killion, they're gorgeous. You shouldn't have."

"They are gorgeous." He gives a few quick blinks as he does his best to zero in on them. "But they're not from me." He inches back. "What exactly is happening here?"

"I don't know." A nervous laugh bubbles from me as I quickly recant the note and the little pink box I found waiting for me at the front desk. "I guess I automatically assumed they were from you."

His brows narrow. "Maybe you have a secret admirer here at the club?" Or a stalker, but I don't see a need to frighten her.

Too late.

My entire body stiffens at the thought.

"Well"—I cringe, trying to come up with a plausible explanation—"maybe it was from my dad? Or my brother?" Although that would be weird on both counts. "Or one of my sisters?"

He shakes his head.

"Never mind it." I lean into him just to feel the comfort of his presence. "How about breakfast tomorrow? Just the two of us?" I suggest, already envisioning a peaceful morning away from the whirlwind of the club. And I will most certainly leave the earrings at home.

He smiles while caressing my back. "I'd love that, but I've already got plans to meet the new coroner over in Eagle tomorrow around ten."

"Ooh, new coroner?" I shimmy my shoulders. "I could come with you. It might be interesting."

"Definitely not." Killion chuckles. "I much prefer having you around the living. Besides, I don't want to jinx your lucky streak. It's been months since you've stumbled upon a body."

He's right, of course. My knack for finding trouble—or trouble finding me—has thankfully taken a hiatus.

He comes in for a kiss and the front pocket of his jeans begins to buzz as he presses against me.

"Is that a phone in your pocket, or are you just buzzing to see me?" I tease.

"I'm always buzzing to see you, sweetheart," he says with a sly wink as he plucks out his phone and frowns. "It's my mother."

"Your mother?" I muse as I glance over my shoulder in the direction she took off in—most likely to find the broom she rode in on.

"She's at the bar in the Cottage House." He shakes his head. "She says she can use my help."

"I'm sure she can," I mutter. Most likely to help locate that broom.

"I'll be right back." He lands a lingering kiss on my lips before bolting toward the clubhouse.

It's nice to know he's such a devoted son.

Killion is by far the best guy I've ever dated. In fact, he's the first guy who hasn't made me wonder if my picker is broken.

A cool breeze tickles my bare arms and I quickly hug myself as I take in the scene. The beach is buzzing with the usual suspects, the twinkle lights, the sharp line of salmon in the sky, the light rock music streaming from the speakers, the sound of gently crashing waves, and let's not forget the scent of freshly grilled burgers—mini as they might be. It all holds the markers of the perfect summer night—first one of the season.

To my right, I spot the ladies from my book club, which, let's be honest, is more of a who-done-it club these days. We're all about diving into cold cases and trying to figure out who the killers are. It's been a wild ride, but one I enjoy far too much for my own sanity. Murder has a way of making me crazy.

Just past them I spot my sisters and brother in the crowd, deep in conversation with a smattering of club members. They're clearly having a good time, as evidenced by all the laughter floating above the crowd. It's nice to see them relaxed and enjoying the moment.

I'm about to turn away when I spot Jane Jordan having what looks to be an intense conversation with Dr. Erol Draper, the dentist that Neelie was flirting with earlier. He and Jane look pretty heated. They're standing off to the side, away from the crowd, and Jane seems a bit more riled up than usual.

I'm steering clear of that one.

I spend the next twenty minutes saying hello to every club member I recognize, noshing on crab cakes, mini lobster rolls, and even mini chocolate-filled croissants. And you can bet I will definitely be having more of each of those before I leave the premises tonight.

Nora is right. I probably should have had a sit-down dinner. I'm famished.

Nevertheless, the mood is changed, the laughter is louder, the crowd is growing far more boisterous by the moment, and even the waves seem to have ratcheted up their intensity.

It's getting late. I'd better find Killion, or Cricket and Rookie for that matter.

I navigate through clusters of people, exchanging brief smiles and nods, but finding Killion in the throng is proving to be impossible.

I weave my way through the lively crowd, the sounds of the beach bash fading slightly as I move away from the mob farther from the crowd, and farther from the clubhouse as well.

The air is filled with the salty tang of the sea and I close my eyes as I take in a lungful. My feet seem to be moving of their own volition as I drift toward the edge of the beach, where the noise of the party gives way to the rhythmic clapping of waves. The atmosphere here is quieter, far more solitary. A stark contrast to the buzz of the bash, and for a moment, I appreciate the tranquility.

But then I see it. A figure, lying face down near the shoreline, in a large puddle about ten feet round that the receding tide left behind. My heart skips a beat, and a chill runs down my spine. Just like that, the festive mood I was in vanishes, replaced by a sense of dread.

For a few seconds, I'm frozen, hoping against hope that it's just someone who's had a bit too much to drink and decided to take a nap on the beach.

I take a few steps forward and pull out my phone to use it as a flashlight.

"Oh my goodness," I pant as a breath hitches in my throat.

Not only is the body of a woman floating face down in a puddle the size of a small swimming pool, but there's an orange electrical cable running into the heart of that puddle.

You don't think…?

There's no way…

I take a careful step forward and suddenly I recognize that white blouse, the smart pencil skirt, and the large tortoise shell glasses floating by her head.

I recognize that body.

Jane Jordan is dead.