A Deadly Cliche (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

don’t know. I’ve had men calling pawnshops and auction galleries up and down the East Coast looking for the missing artwork and we’ve had no luck. Unless you know of a black market for electronics, I’m not sure what you can do.”
    “We can focus on the clichés,” Olivia answered. “These families have been chosen for a reason. They’re well off so they’re profitable targets, but I think there’s something personal about these crimes too.”
    Laurel cocked her head and considered what Olivia had said. “I agree, but I’m not sure why. I think what they did to the dolls shows that they’re angry.”
    “Perhaps the four of you could write down some theories. I value your opinions. I need to go.” Rawlings gestured at a manila folder on the table. “That’s my first chapter, not just ten copies of page one. If you’re willing to give me another chance, I’d welcome your critiques at our next meeting.”
    “Of course we are!” Laurel smiled at him tenderly. “Chief, I’m going to interview April Howard tomorrow. If she thinks of anything she forgot to mention, I’ll be sure to pass it along to you.”
    Rawlings thanked her and then left. Millay followed shortly afterward, saying that she had a few errands to run before her shift. Laurel and Olivia congratulated Harris again on his victory and headed out as well, both more somber than they had been upon first entering the apartment. Even Haviland exited the apartment without a spring to his step.
    “I’m coming with you tomorrow,” Olivia told Laurel as she let Haviland into the Range Rover.
    “Good,” Laurel answered and drove away.
    Olivia felt restless, but didn’t want to spend the afternoon wandering up and down the beach near her house. She felt compelled to sit amid a group of strangers, to listen to their murmurs without being a part of the conversation and to silently observe their mannerisms as if the smallest action or expression might reveal the motives of the thieves.
    Without thinking much about it, Olivia found herself searching for a parking spot in front of Through the Wardrobe . The store was packed. Flynn was working the floor while Jenna, his attractive assistant, rang up a line of patient customers with a warm smile.
    Flynn kept a close eye on the comings and goings of his customers and it wasn’t long before he appeared at Olivia’s side. “Can I tell you how much I love the Cardboard Regatta?” He spoke in a hushed voice. “I was all ready to settle down for months of tedium and an empty bank account. I had visions of six months of meals consisting of raw spaghetti and water.”
    Laughing, Olivia gestured at the dozen people waiting to pay for books. “You could probably treat yourself to at least one steak this winter.” She led him to a relatively private nook between two massive wardrobes.
    Flynn took her elbow and growled. “What are we doing back here? Something naughty, I hope.”
    Olivia scowled. “You called and asked for my help. Here I am.”
    “I managed on my own, thank you very much, but I would like to show you what all the fuss was about.” He glanced behind him. “Where’s Haviland?”
    “In the car. I decided there’d be too many tourists with little kids in here. Haviland doesn’t appreciate too much uninvited petting.”
    Flynn pretended to be appalled. “Well, who would? Come into the storeroom. I can attempt some uninvited touching with you in private.”
    Ignoring his playful leer, Olivia followed Flynn through the noisy children’s section and into the back room where extra books were stored. Flynn opened the door with caution, hurried Olivia through, and then shut it quickly behind him.
    “Let’s see if they’re in bed,” he said sotto voce.
    Olivia immediately detected an animal scent. There was a faint odor of urine and canned food that hadn’t been present in the storeroom before.
    Flynn took her hand and tiptoed to a small basket filled with shredded newspaper and a cotton dishtowel. Two kittens were arranged in a tight circle of fur inside the basket. Both were sleeping soundly.
    “Where did they come from?” Olivia whispered.
    Flynn touched the orange kitten gently, caressing the soft fur behind the ears. The kitten shifted in its sleep and began to purr but did not open its eyes. “They showed up at my house after the hurricane, wet, shivering, and starving. I had no idea what to do. I tried giving them milk from a bowl and finally from an eyedropper.