Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

prizes and grants would come together once a year to share tricks of the trade. Flynn had explained that the annual retreat was held in different locations and that having the members of the Southern Storytellers Network come to Oyster Bay would be a boon for his store and for the town, but Olivia hadn’t realized how much the gathering mattered to the performers The entire notion seemed odd to her, but perhaps the bookstore event was an example of how they needed to work together in order to earn money.
    When the performance was over, Flynn showed the children a display of picture and easy-reader books he’d set out as a tie-in to the afternoon’s experience. There were tall tales and legends, fairy tales, Cherokee stories, a biography of Paul Bunyan, fables, nonfiction works on wolves and forest animals, and many more.
    After clapping loudly, the children rushed the table. They grabbed armloads of books before racing back to their parents with cries of, “Can I have this? Pleasepleaseplease!”
    Laurel tried to fend off double entreaties from her twins while Olivia beckoned Caitlyn to join her at the table where the storytellers sat handing out fliers listing their school programs and other regional events.
    “That was fun,” Caitlyn told Amabel, who rewarded her with a smile and a paper wolf mask to color. Caitlyn hurried off to show her mother her prize.
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” Olivia told Amabel softly.
    Amabel drew back, immediately wary. Instead of acknowledging the remark, she merely thanked Olivia for coming and turned to look at Millay again.
    “I think you guys were better than she was,” Millay muttered quietly. “You’re out here in the middle of the day. No stage. No special lighting. Only a few simple props. You two are the real deal.”
    Amabel and Greg were both clearly pleased by the compliment. “Have you been to many of our events?” Greg asked.
    Millay gave a noncommittal shrug. “I’m into stories. Mine are the written kind. Not to brag or anything, but I just signed with a literary agent, so I know what it takes to put everything you’ve got into your work.” She looked at Amabel. “See, most people can’t understand why you do this when you already have a totally respectable job. It’s not about the money, right? For me, it’s about getting people to listen. Moving them with words. Kind of being in charge of them. TV, movies, the Internet—all that stuff uses bells and whistles. It’s a trick. It’s not art.”
    “Where have you been all my life?” Greg asked, and Olivia peered over the edge of a flier to note that his ring finger was bare. He was staring at Millay as if he wanted to memorize every part of her.
    Millay’s mouth curved into a suggestive smile. “Right here. Waiting.” She then turned her attention to Amabel. “Seriously, I’d love to hang out with you guys. The bummer is that I have to work. The bills keep piling up, you know, and my writing hasn’t paid crap so far. But I’d like to buy you a round if you’re free tonight. I’m a bartender, and I can do whatever I want behind that counter.”
    Greg immediately accepted, but Amabel hesitated. “I’m supposed to get together with some of the other storytellers,” she said. “Our annual retreat is a chance to find out which schools and libraries still have enough money in their budgets to hire people like us. And I’m not sure if tomorrow’s any better. A group of us, including Greg here, have plans to meet at The Bayside Crab House for dinner. We all have coupons for half-priced entrées.”
    “Then we’re all in luck because I work at The Bayside Crab House.” Keeping a straight face, Millay gestured at Olivia. “So does she. The food’s awesome and the coupons will go a long way, but sitting at the bar will help even more. Isn’t that true, Olivia?”
    Olivia nodded. “Absolutely. I can reserve seats for you if you’d like.”
    The offer was too sweet for the storytellers to refuse. Amabel told Olivia to expect a party of six for dinner and drinks.
    “See you tomorrow night,” Millay called sweetly. She and Olivia then joined those waiting in line to check out.
    At Olivia’s insistence, Caitlyn selected a book of Jack tales and an easy reader about a group of problem-solving mermaids. She’d also picked out a
Rainbow Fish
board book for Anders. Clasping all three books against her chest, she danced from foot to foot, clearly impatient for the line to move faster.