One Book in the Grave: A Bibliophile Mystery

themselves.”
     
    “Yes, they can,” Derek said.
     
    But then I thought of my friend Robin, who was living with Austin, and my decision was made. “I’ll call Jackson.”
     

Chapter 12
     
    It was after ten o’clock when we pulled into Jackson’s driveway. His house was perfectly situated on the top of a hill with 360-degree views that would allow us to see the entire valley. I was certain Max would be safe here for as long as he stayed.
    A while ago in the car, I’d reached Jackson on my cell phone and explained the situation. It was fine with him, since he wasn’t going to be home for a few days.
     
    “Where are you?” I’d asked.
     
    He’d hesitated, then said, “Paris.”
     
    “Paris, Texas?” I wondered, half kidding.
     
    “No.”
     
    “What are you doing in Paris, France?”
     
    “You don’t want to know.”
     
    My brother traveled a lot on business, but seeing as how his main business was the commune winery, I didn’t see why he was trying to keep the trip a big secret.
     
    Now as we all hurried toward the house with Max’s things, I caught up with Derek. “Do you think we should call Inspector Lee?”
     
    “No,” Max said from right behind me. “No police. Not yet.”
     
    “But, Max—”
     
    “Sorry, but this is my life we’re talking about.”
     
    I used my key to open up the house, and we walked inand piled Max’s belongings near the staircase leading upstairs. I kept Clyde in his cat carrier for now, placing the sturdy bag on the Oriental rug near the hearth.
     
    Max looked around, studied the wall of river rock that surrounded the fireplace, the dark green sofa and two leather chairs, the rough wood coffee table, the entertainment center opposite the fireplace. Then he turned to me. “Nice place.”
     
    I nodded. “I hope you’ll be safe and happy here.”
     
    He brushed his hair back with both hands. “Look, Brooklyn. I don’t care if these cops are your pals. The first thing they’ll do is arrest me for murder, then ask questions later.”
     
    Derek glanced at me but said nothing. We both knew what Max said was true.
     
    As Max crossed the room to check out the sliding glass door, he said, “Just give me a few days before you call the cops. I need to find some answers first.”
     
    “We’ll get answers,” Derek assured him.
     
    Max turned and stared out at the dark night sky. “I want to talk to Angelica.”
     
    I sputtered in protest.
     
    Gabriel was more succinct as he walked in and dropped another duffel bag next to the couch. “Not a good idea.”
     
    Max whipped around. “Why not? She’ll talk to me.”
     
    “Don’t go anywhere near her,” he warned. “Not unless you’re ready to bring in the police. Let us do some investigating first.”
     
    “Damn it.” He sat on the couch and rested his elbows on his knees. “I guess you’re right, but I just feel useless. And I’m worried about Emily. I want to make sure she’s safe before anything else happens.”
     
    “Then you definitely shouldn’t talk to Angelica,” I said firmly. I didn’t have to add what I was thinking. From the looks on their faces, everyone knew. Emily had been a target before. If crazy Angie knew Max was back in the area, she might be inclined to eliminate her competition.
     
    And once again, I was reminded that Emily still hadn’t called me back. Was she simply out of town, or had something sinister happened to her? If I didn’t hear from her by tomorrow, I vowed to call her back.
     
    Now I took a moment to gaze around the room. I loved Jackson, but he was definitely my most elusive brother, so I hadn’t been here in a while. I’d forgotten how beautiful this place was. One of the men in the commune had come up with the design, and Jackson and a few of the commune members had built the two-story, craftsman-style mountain lodge.
     
    The main room was two stories tall, open and welcoming, with dark wood walls and floors, and one wall that was almost all glass. It overlooked the rocky canyon below and the rolling, vine-covered ridge on the opposite side. The house was surrounded on three sides by a balcony wide and strong enough to hold a hot tub, a barbecue grill, and plenty of patio furniture.
     
    The staircase near the front door led up to three bedrooms and a small office that acted as a balcony overlooking the first-floor living room. I took a minute and jogged upstairs to find the most suitable room for Max. Besides the master