One Book in the Grave: A Bibliophile Mystery

the hills above Point Reyes Station.
     
    “I’m there every weekend now,” she said.
     
    “So you and Clyde?”
     
    “We’re like this,” she said, holding up her crossed fingers. We both laughed.
     
    “And how do you like the goats?”
     
    “I love them,” she gushed. “And Max has created a new goat-cheese blend in my honor.”
     
    “Ooh, what’s in it?”
     
    “It’s a blend of sweet goat cheese, chocolate, and raspberries. It sold out the first day he took it into town.”
     
    “Mm. I hope I can taste it someday soon.”
     
    “You will.” She gave me a bashful look and added, “He calls the concoction Beauty and the Beast.”
     
    “Aww,” we said in unison, then laughed together.
     
    I hugged her once more, promised that Derek and Iwould come to Point Reyes for a weekend soon, and left her to mingle.
     
    There were so many people I wanted to talk to, but none more than my best pal, Robin, who was currently negotiating to sell her Noe Valley flat in the city in anticipation of moving back to Dharma to live with my brother Austin.
     
    We hugged, then stood yakking excitedly with our arms around each other. I’d known her since the first day my family arrived in Dharma, and we were still inseparable whenever possible.
     
    She let me know how happy she was with Austin, and I gave her the quickie version of the Max Adams scandal. Then she laughed when I told her that Guru Bob had suggested I was destined to remain a Nemesis, seeking vengeance and justice for the dead.
     
    “Why are you laughing?” I whined. “It isn’t funny.”
     
    “I’m laughing
with
you,” she assured me, and squeezed my arm. “Look, I never would have survived the murder in my apartment if not for you and Derek. And then I found Austin, and my life is so full now. I’m happy, Brooklyn, and it’s all your fault.”
     
    “Okay, I’ll gladly take responsibility for you being happy.” Robin had been in love with Austin since we were in third grade.
     
    “Good,” she said with an affectionate bump of her head against mine. “And now that you’ve worked your magic for Max and Emily, you can’t quit now.”
     
    “That’s what I was afraid of.”
     
    Robin chuckled again, and I let it go. I was fine with the happily-ever-after part of the equation. It was just the part about tripping over dead bodies—or having them delivered to my door—that tended to get me down.
     
    We both used up another tissue as we watched Austin and Max in close conversation. They had reunited briefly the night Emily was kidnapped, but this was the first chance they’d had to talk. The two had been best friends growing up and Austin had mourned Max’s death as deeply as any of us. I held my breath when it looked likeAustin might punch Max in the stomach, but instead he punched his arm, then grabbed him in a tight bear hug that had everyone sniffling a little.
     
    I mingle<>d some more, then spied Derek prowling the perimeter of the terrace. I smiled, reminded of the first time I ever saw him at the Covington Library. He’d been prowling and stalking then, too. Little did I realize at the time that it was me he’d been watching so intently.
     
    That thought brought back something Derek had said to me a few weeks back, so I circled and met him halfway. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and held me close.
     
    I looked up at him. “Do you remember, before all the craziness happened with Max, you said we needed to talk? What was that about?”
     
    He nodded, then glanced around at the crowd. “It’s nothing that can’t wait until we’re alone.”
     
    “Now you’ve got me curious. Can you give me a hint?”
     
    He touched his forehead to mine. “I think it’s time we discussed our current living arrangement.”
     
    Concerned, I stared into his eyes, trying to gauge his feelings. “Are you unhappy with it?”
     
    His eyes narrowed, causing mine to widen anxiously. Then he laughed. “Not at all. But I do think we need more room.”
     
    “You want to move?”
     
    “And leave Vinnie and Suzie?” he said, his tone teasing. “Never. No, I simply thought I might buy the unit next door to yours and open up the wall between the two. If you’re amenable, that is.”
     
    “If I’m amenable?” I blinked, then swallowed. “Yes, I believe I am.”
     
    He grinned, then kissed me. “Good. We can talk about the details later.”
     
    “Okay.” I breathed deeply, relieved and scared and still a