Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

used to date him.”
    Olivia frowned. “Flynn wasn’t like that with me. He’s an incorrigible flirt, but only when he thinks it will lead to a sale.”
    “So what’s the plan?” Laurel asked. “Rawlings said to simply observe Amabel’s demeanor. He’ll be picking her up for additional questioning when this event is over. I got the sense he was in the middle of something when I called.”
    Olivia wondered if the chief had decided to have another talk with Lowell. Looking around the familiar bookstore, she felt some of the weekend’s tension ebb a little. She truly loved this place. Flynn had replaced nearly all of the traditional bookshelves with antique wood wardrobes. He’d refinished each one by hand and lovingly polished them with lavender beeswax. The store always smelled of books, beeswax, and coffee.
    Upon spotting Olivia, Flynn extricated himself from the clasp of another female customer and came over. He held out his hand to Haviland, who carefully placed his paw onto Flynn’s palm. “Hello, sir. Care for a treat?”
    Flynn had begun keeping a small jar of organic dog treats next to the register. Olivia knew that he was catering to Haviland because she was one of his best customers, but she didn’t mind. Though she’d avoided Through the Wardrobe for several weeks following her breakup with Flynn, she and her former lover were now back on amiable terms.
    “How’s Diane?” Olivia always asked after Flynn’s girlfriend, who also happened to be Haviland’s vet.
    “She’s probably at home burning pictures of me.” Flynn drew a finger across his throat. “We’re not seeing each other anymore. She wanted to move in together and I wasn’t ready.” He shrugged. “Guess I’m just one of those confirmed-bachelor types. I don’t suppose you and the chief have had to tackle that issue yet. But get ready, Olivia. Eventually, it’ll come up. At our age, it always does.”
    Recalling her late-night conversation with Rawlings, Olivia averted her eyes and tried to think of something to say. Millay saved her from having to respond by slinging an arm over Flynn’s shoulder. “Are you going to make me sit on the rug, Mr. McNulty?”
    “With all the leg you’re showing in that miniskirt? Not a chance. Every male in the room would be staring at you instead of focusing on the performers.” He glanced in the direction of the stockroom and then checked his watch. The show was scheduled to begin in five minutes. “These storytellers are good, too. Theirs is a different type of performance than Violetta’s, but . . . well, there’s nobody like her . . . she was one of a kind.” His face darkening, he turned to Olivia. “I know you can’t tell me anything, but at least give me hope that the cops have a lead on her killer.”
    “I honestly don’t know anything, Flynn,” she said. “I wish I did.”
    He accepted her answer with a solemn nod and was silent for a long moment. However, it wasn’t in his nature to be glum, so when Laurel’s twins, Dallas and Dermot, arrived, he exchanged a complicated series of playful high-fives, knuckle knocks, and chest bumps with the pair.
    Laurel sat near her boys on the rug while Steve settled into one of the folding chairs positioned in a semicircle behind the kids.
    “I think it’s time,” Flynn said with a smile and then glanced over Olivia’s shoulder. “Ah, your niece and nephew are here. Now we can definitely get started.” He winked at Olivia and headed for the back room.
    Olivia saw Caitlyn rushing toward her and immediately opened her arms to receive the little girl’s embrace.
    “I didn’t know you were coming to the show, Aunt Olivia!” Caitlyn broke away to hug and kiss Haviland.
    Kim was carrying Anders. The baby was dressed in a darling sailor suit and white socks covered by tiny blue anchors. He smiled at Olivia and then stuck his fist in his mouth and gurgled. “I think he’s getting another molar,” Kim said. “He chews on everything, and he’s been drooling like a bloodhound.”
    “A fine breed, the bloodhound,” Olivia said, caressing the baby’s chubby cheek. “Affectionate, loyal, and gentle. Sounds just like my sweet niece and nephew.”
    “You’ve never seen either of them throw a tantrum. You think they’re perfect, and you spoil them rotten,” Kim scolded.
    Olivia knew her sister-in-law didn’t really mind. “Haviland’s spoiled too, but it hasn’t affected him adversely.”
    At that moment, a drum began