Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

knew she had to wrap up their conversation. “Most of the storytellers will be at The Bayside Crab House this evening. Millay’s tending bar, and I hope to ingratiate myself enough to get a sense of who these people really are.”
    Rawlings was silent for a moment. “Your schemes have gone awry in the past, Olivia. Dare I suggest you maintain a safe distance this time?”
    “You can suggest it, but I won’t listen. Sawyer, I can’t. These people tell lies for a living. They jump from one character’s skin to another like a troupe of shape-shifters. Millay and I might just be able to peek beneath their masks, and we all have to work together to find Violetta’s killer. If we don’t, Dixie could be my next friend to suffer a heart attack.”
    “And I suppose Millay will be pouring with a liberal hand.”
    Olivia couldn’t tell if the chief was amused or irritated. “A very liberal hand.”
    Rawlings sighed. “In that case, I’d better get back to work. If I solve this thing in time, I can have you to myself tonight and stop you from trying to do my job.”
    He rang off, and Olivia nabbed a parking spot in front of Decadence. The desserterie was very busy. Inside, patrons sat at little café tables sipping pots of chocolate and enjoying buttery croissants or diminutive cinnamon buns. The room was redolent with the scents of baking bread and the sounds of relaxed chatter.
    Shelley Giusti stood behind the counter filling a white box with peanut butter brownies. She looked up from her task and waved at Olivia. The customer waiting for the brownies turned and smiled in delight. It was Jeannie, Rawlings’ older sister.
    “Olivia!” she exclaimed. “You’ve caught me giving in to my guilty pleasure.”
    “We all have them,” Olivia said gesturing around the shop. “And no one here looks too unhappy about it.” Her eyes roamed over the items in the display cases. Everything was beautifully made and artfully arranged.
    Jeannie watched her. “I’m glad you cave in to a temptation from time to time. With your figure, it’s hard to imagine you eating a whole box of brownies. Me, on the other hand, I’ll eat half of those the second I get them home.” She laughed heartily.
    Olivia grinned. She was quite fond of Jeannie. Sawyer’s sister was one of the most cheerful, easygoing, and kindhearted people Olivia had ever met. She was also fiercely loyal to her family, and Olivia admired the older woman’s combination of sweetness and steel. Jeannie laughed loudly, ate with gusto, and was friendly to everyone she met.
    “How can I help you today, Ms. Limoges?” Shelley asked, handing Jeannie her purchase.
    “I need the biggest box of assorted chocolates you have,” Olivia said and pointed at the menu tacked to the wall. “That one called Versailles should do it.”
    Jeannie hooted. “There’s over a hundred pieces in that gold box! Are you and Sawyer having a special evening?” She put her hand over her heart. “Oh, I sure do hope so. He needs you, hon. Sawyer’s been alone for far too long, and we all know that men are lousy at being alone.”
    “That’s absolutely true,” agreed Shelley amiably and put on a fresh plastic glove. “Which chocolates would you like?”
    Olivia gave her a plaintive shrug. “Would you choose? They all look wonderful.” She fidgeted impatiently while Shelley placed pieces of chocolate into the box, handling each one with the utmost delicacy.
    “This is my new favorite,” Shelley said putting two samples on a doily. “Dark chocolate blended with dried cherries and minced pecans, finishing with a note of chipotle.”
    Jeannie immediately popped hers into her mouth. Seeing Olivia hesitate, she elbowed her in the ribs. “Go on, girl. Jump in with both feet. Laugh too loudly. Sing in the shower. Eat the chocolate. Live a little!” She giggled. “I’m messing with you because you already feel like one of the family. And I hope you will be a Rawlings someday soon!” She squeezed Olivia on the arm, winked at Shelley, and left.
    Blushing, Olivia bit the chocolate in half before Shelley could ask any questions. She barely noticed the creamy bittersweet chocolate or the sweetness of the cherries followed by a hint of heat. She couldn’t stop thinking of how she’d feel about being called Olivia Rawlings. Clearing her throat, she tapped the counter to get Shelley’s attention. “Actually, you’d better make up two orders of the Versailles.”
    Shelley raised her