A Deadly Cliche (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

walking distance to the beach.”
    The explanation sounded plausible. “So it had nothing to do with the integrity of the building? Did they plan to renovate the original structure or tear it down and start from scratch?”
    “As far as I know, they were going to work with what they had.” Millicent dabbed her lips with her napkin and pushed her nearly untouched salad bowl away. “But the total estimate was no small sum. Revitalizing this building is not a project for the faint of heart,” she said, showing Olivia that she was on her side. “Of course, this isn’t your first time handling a major project such as this. Look at how you transformed so many of our empty storefronts. Thanks to you, I now have a new favorite dress shop.”
    Though the Realtor was laying it on a bit thick, Olivia didn’t mind feeling a little pleased when it came to the part she played in reshaping the town. “We’ve got to collect every hard-earned tourist dollar we can. Something’s got to tide us over during the winter months.” She removed the bun from a plain hamburger, cut the meat into bite-sized pieces, and set the plate on the ground near her left foot. Haviland, who had been pretending to doze in the shade of Olivia’s chair, crept up to the dish and daintily wolfed down his lunch.
    “Yes, indeed,” Millicent agreed. “At least we have the Cardboard Regatta coming up. Used to be the town was empty from Labor Day to May Day, but I cannot believe how many people will fill up the hotels again just for the chance to race their little handmade boats. I do hope Ophelia has come and gone in time.”
    Olivia closed the folder and stuffed it in her purse. She took out her wallet and signaled for the waitress. “I’m going to have my contractor go over every inch of this property as soon as the storm passes. Assuming he gives me a good report and the warehouse manages to survive Ophelia, I’ll stop by your office and we can draw up an offer.” Olivia reached across the table and shook Millicent’s hand. “Thank you for joining me for lunch. If I’d known you weren’t fond of burgers I would have chosen another venue. This place isn’t exactly known for their salads.”
    “Oh, my salad was perfectly fine. I’m just trying to watch my figure,” Millicent lied grandly. “I look forward to hearing from you when we’re done being battered about by Ophelia.”
    The Realtor walked away and Olivia imagined the older woman was already dreaming of how she’d spend the sizable commission she’d make off the deal. Olivia didn’t mind. In fact, she admired Millicent’s ambition and hoped to have the same amount of pluck in thirty years’ time.
    Olivia decided to let Haviland chase pigeons in the park before hitting the grocery store followed by a latte at Bagels ’n’ Beans. She settled on a bench in the shelter of a mammoth magnolia tree and took out her latest purchase from Flynn’s bookstore, Sharon Kay Penman’s The Reckoning . As Haviland explored the fascinating scents at the base of every shrub, tree, and light post, Olivia quickly lost herself in the story of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, the thirteenth-century Welsh prince.
    She was so immersed in the novel that the ringing of her cell phone seemed incongruent with Penman’s descriptions of stone castle walls and heavy bed hangings.
    “I could chose to ignore you,” she warned the phone before checking the caller ID, but seeing that the number belonged to Laurel, Olivia answered. “Do you have news?” she asked her friend.
    “Yes!” Laurel managed to encapsulate fear, joy, and exhilaration into a single word. “It’s wonderful ! And it’s horrible ! I’m a mess!”
    Olivia grinned. “You got the job.”
    “I got the job,” Laurel squeaked in excitement. “They just told me. But it’s only on a provisional basis. I need to prove myself over the next few weeks. How am I going to do that? My silly articles on how to get stains out of your clothes or the best play areas for toddlers will hardly dazzle the editor and they’ve already got three reporters covering the storm!”
    “Why don’t you interview your neighbor?” Olivia suggested. “The one who was robbed? Everyone likes to read about local crimes. But you should do it soon. Everyone will be busy preparing for the storm before long.”
    Laurel gasped. “You’re so brilliant ! They say that crime pays. Let’s see if it can get me paid too!” She hesitated. “Listen, Olivia, I know it’s