Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

and Violetta’s treasure. His very presence could put the entire Weaver clan at risk. “I can book him a hotel—”
    “He’s my cousin,” Dixie interrupted. “We take care of our own in my family. And I need this to be ironed out real fast, so tell me what you want Grumpy to do.”
    Olivia did. She then called Harris, who was delighted to assist with the case.
    “Immediate family only?” he asked when she explained what she needed. “Or are you going to give me a challenge?”
    “We’re looking for skeletons in closets,” Olivia said. “If some dark secret was passed down through the generations, we need to know what it is. If there’s nothing sinister, then maybe you’ll find some clue about the silver coins. Violetta was either killed because someone wanted to silence her or—”
    “Because she wouldn’t speak,” Harris finished for her. “Millay’s kind of turned me into a night owl, so I’ll get started tonight. I should have something for you by tomorrow afternoon, but some of the genealogical sites will take longer. Maybe two or three days for copies of certain documents.”
    Olivia shook her head, even though she knew Harris couldn’t see her. “The killer’s probably still in Oyster Bay, so do whatever you can but do it quickly.” She softened her tone. “Are you doing okay otherwise?”
    Harris sighed. “I’m losing her, Olivia. And please don’t try to pretend that I’m not. I knew from the beginning that Millay wasn’t into long-term anything. Her job and the Bayside Book Writers are the only commitments she’ll make.” He chuckled humorlessly. “And come on. Look at me. How could I expect to hold her interest? I haven’t traveled cross-country on a motorcycle. I haven’t jumped from a plane or been arrested. My life is boring. I’m totally predictable. The two things she can’t stand.”
    Because she didn’t know what else to say, she asked as kindly as she could, “What will you do?”
    “I can’t stop where this is headed,” Harris answered miserably. “I am who I am.”
    “I’m sorry, Harris.” Olivia wished she could offer him better comfort, but she knew there was nothing she could do except listen. “I know it hurts.”
    Harris barked out a dry laugh. “Yeah, just a bit. But thanks for not telling me to fight for her. That’s what everyone else says. They don’t realize that she’s already gone. She just hasn’t said the words yet.”
    Olivia could feel Harris’s pain coursing through the speaker and was suddenly very much aware of her own contentment. Rawlings was in the next room. Haviland was there too, curled up on the rug near the fireplace. She had friends and family. People to call her own. The sea stretched out beyond her back door, full of whispers and promises. “You’re not going to leave the Bayside Book Writers, are you?” she asked Harris.
    He hesitated. “My company’s opening an office in Houston, and my boss approached me about getting the new software department off the ground. The money’s really good, and the people they’re bringing on board to design the games are the best and brightest. They’re going to change gaming forever.”
    “You sound excited about the offer,” Olivia said, though she didn’t want Harris to accept it. She wanted their group to remain intact. The Bayside Book Writers meant more to her than receiving critique or inspiration for her novel. Other than Dixie, its members were her closest friends. She could be herself around them. They accepted her, flaws and all. Loved her even. After so many years without friends, she hated to lose one of them.
    But she also understood that Harris needed to get away if he ever hoped to recover from his impending heartbreak and that he needed someone he respected to encourage him to leave. “Maybe it’s time for you to have an adventure, Harris. Texas is full of possibilities. Rodeos. Rib-eating contests. You could come back wearing a ten-gallon hat and boots with spurs.”
    Harris laughed, and for a few seconds the hurt loosened its hold on him and he sounded as carefree as the boy he’d once been. The Peter Pan look-alike. Back before he’d fallen for Millay. Before he’d been shot trying to protect her.
    That’s why she’s having trouble saying the words
, Olivia thought. Harris was a hero. The whole town knew what he’d done for her, and the whole town would judge Millay harshly if she dumped him.
    “She’s going to make me do it,” Harris