Peril in Paperback: A Bibliophile Mystery

arose from behind me. I turned and watched in horror as Vinnie charged forward like a tiny Amazon on steroids.
    “Vinnie, no!” Derek shouted, and dashed after her.
    Sybil spun around to see who was coming and Vinnie slammed into her like a freight train. They both went flying several feet backward while the gun was thrown off in another direction. Derek grabbed it.
    The two women landed on the floor and Vinnie continued shouting and swearing in three different languages as she pummeled Sybil anywhere she could land a punch.
    Suzie still clutched the baby, but looked ready to dive into the pile to protect Vinnie. After a quick moment of indecision, she stood and shouted to her cousin, “Kiki, the baby.”
    Kiki ran over. Suzie thrust Lily into Kiki’s protectivearms, then rushed into the fight. Kiki quickly moved back and out of range of any danger.
    “Derek, help them,” I said, moving in as close as I could get, itching to stop the melee, but powerless to do anything but watch.
    Suzie tried to pull Vinnie off Sybil, but Vinnie was in a zone all her own. Suzie finally knelt down and grabbed hold of Sybil’s arms to block the slaps and punches she was landing on Vinnie.
    “Hold this.” Derek thrust the gun at me. “And be careful, damn it.” He maneuvered his way into the scuffle and patted Vinnie’s shoulder, then pulled her back and off Sybil. “I think you’ve done her in, champ. Nice tackle.”
    Gabriel rushed in and yanked a still-swinging Sybil off the floor.
    A second later, Ruth jumped up and shoved her elbow into Sybil’s stomach.
    That had to hurt.
    Suzie wrapped both arms around Vinnie in an emotional hug, then led her over to Kiki, who stood against the wall, clutching the baby. They moved to a side sofa and all three women collapsed together on the cushions.
    “You were awesome,” Suzie said, then reached over to adjust Lily’s blanket, mainly to assure herself that the baby was fine. Vinnie rested her head on Suzie’s shoulder.
    Meanwhile, Sybil wriggled in Gabriel’s grip, but he looked unfazed. Glancing around, he asked, “Anyone got some duct tape?”
    “I have some in the library,” I said weakly. I handed the gun to Derek, then leaned against him, feeling exhausted. For once I’d done nothing but watch while everyone else tangled with a vicious killer, but I was still worn out.
    “I’ll get it,” Nathan said, and ran from the room.
    “Oh, my God,” Grace whispered. She looked around. “Is everyone safe?”
    “Are you?” Ruth asked, and rushed back to her side. Grace pulled her into a tight hug. A moment later, Grace gazed up at Merrilee and reached for her. Merrilee let out a little sob, took hold of her hand, and sat on the other side of her.
    “You people make me sick,” Sybil said through clenched teeth.
    “Shut it,” Gabriel said, jerking her enough to startle her into silence.
    “Got it,” Nathan called from the doorway, waving the duct tape. He ran over and handed it to Gabriel.
    Within seconds, Sybil’s wrists were sealed together behind her back. Defiant still, she shot hateful stares at anyone who glanced her way.
    Ruth ignored Sybil and put her arm around Grace. “How’s that hard head of yours feeling?”
    Grace glanced at Merrilee and smiled. “It’s only a little sore. In fact, I can barely feel any pain anymore.”
    Merrilee’s eyes were still wet with tears as she laid her head on Grace’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
    “I’m so proud of you for protecting me,” Grace said fiercely, and squeezed Merrilee tight. Then she looked at Ruth and took her hand in her firm grip. “And you. You were a warrior princess. Thank you. All of you. You all saved my life.”
    The emotional strength behind those words hit Ruth and she burst into tears. Grace pulled her closer. After a moment Ruth used her blouse cuff to wipe the moisture from her eyes. Then she glanced around the room. She seemed to be searching for the right words and finally blurted, “Grace and I have been lovers for five years.”
    “Well, duh,” Kiki said.
    Madge gasped. “Grace! That’s disgusting.”
    Suzie threw her aunt a world-weary look. “Seriously, Madge? You’re going there? Now?”
    “Shut the hell up, Mom,” Kiki said, clearly appalledby her mother. Then she turned back to Ruth and Grace. “That’s so cool, you guys.”
    Suzie grinned and gave her cousin a thumbs-up.
    “But, Aunt Grace, why did Merrilee call you her mother?” Kiki asked.
    Grace flinched in