Peril in Paperback: A Bibliophile Mystery

along for the ride.”
    “Oh no,” Sandra said quickly. “That’s not true at all. Officer Rodriguez is the reason I’m here, and I’m very grateful to her. She saved Lily’s life.”
    The baby fussed and Rodriguez immediately handed the baby back to Sandra, who bounced the child lightly against her shoulder. The baby quieted instantly. It was warm enough that she removed the thick down blanket from around the baby, and I could see her pretty little face.
    And I knew it was just a coincidence, but Lily looked just like the baby Grace had described in her book. The pale patch of blond hair; dark blue eyes; unblemished skin; tiny pink lips; and a button nose.
    “I assume this is Lily?” Gabriel said as he stood and reached for the baby.
    “Yes.” Sandra smiled as she relinquished her precious pink cargo. Gabriel held the baby against his chest and the two visitors sighed audibly. Was there anything more moving to women than the sight of a strong man holding a tiny baby?
    Merrilee walked into the room carrying a tray with crackers and cheese and a small pot of tea. She set everything on the coffee table and poured tea for the two women.
    “This is wonderful. Thank you,” Sandra said.
    Merrilee looked at me. “Just call the kitchen when you’re finished with everything.”
    “Thanks, Merrilee.”
    She left, and Sandra finished her small cup of tea. “Thank you again for the refreshment.”
    “There’s plenty more,” I said. “Please help yourselves.”
    Rodriguez put her empty cup on the tray. “Let’s talk about Lily.”
    “Yes, let’s,” Gabriel said.
    Sandra coughed lightly to clear her throat, then said, “Lily’s parents, Theodore and Maris McClay, were both killed in a car accident earlier this week. Officer Rodriguez was first on the scene and acted quickly to save Lily, then called Child Protective Services to arrange for a caseworker to take charge of the child.”
    “Is that you?” I asked.
    “Yes. I arrived at the police department and took charge of Lily. The police and my own department both attempted to track down the next of kin, but found no one.”
    I glanced at Gabriel, who was walking back and forth across the room. He looked down and smiled at the baby, whose eyes were closed. Now, what female wouldn’t want to be rocked to sleep that way?
    The caseworker went on to tell us how they were able to track down the parents’ lawyer. From him, they learned whom the couple had charged with guardianship of the baby in the event of their deaths. Sandra went to the new guardian’s home, but was told that the person was out of town. Two very helpful neighbors informed her that the guardian was staying at the home of Grace Crawford near the town of South Lake Tahoe.
    “And that’s how we ended up here,” Rodriguez said.
    I frowned. “Who is Lily’s guardian?”
And please, God,
I prayed silently,
don’t let it be Madge.
    Sandra double checked her court forms. “Her name is Susannah Stein.”
    Gabriel whipped around and stared at me. My mouth fell open and I stared right back at him.
    “Suzie?”

Chapter 12
     
    Our Suzie?
    I was pretty sure I would never forget the astonishment I felt at hearing Sandra’s announcement, but I managed to snap into action. “Be right back.”
    Racing up the stairs to the third floor, I jogged down the hall to Vinnie and Suzie’s room and knocked firmly on the door. After a few seconds I knocked again. And again.
    Moments later a sleepy-eyed Vinnie opened the door. “Brooklyn? What time is it? Is everything okay?”
    “No, Vinnie. It’s not.” I took hold of her arm and squeezed gently. “Can you please wake up Suzie and come downstairs with me?”
    Her eyes widened in fear. “Is it Grace? Suzie, wake up! Something’s wrong.”
    “It’s not Grace,” I said immediately. “I’m sorry I frightened you. Nobody’s…” I was about to say that nobody was dead, but that wasn’t true. Suzie’s friends, Lily’s parents, were gone. I couldn’t be the one to break that news to them. “Grace is fine.”
    Vinnie clutched the lapels of my robe. “Then what is it?”
    “It’s…it’s something else. Please, Vinnie, it’s important. You and Suzie need to come quickly.”
    “Aunt Grace is okay?” Suzie asked, her voice groggy. She was out of bed and throwing on her bathrobe, but I could tell she was still half asleep.
    “Yes, she’s fine,” I said, helping her with her robe. “But I really need you guys to wake up.”
    “All