Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

know what that does to a man?’”
    “Did he sound angry?” Olivia asked.
    Bev nodded. “Definitely. The woman didn’t say much. She just asked if he planned on doing something about his situation, and he said he was going to teach her a lesson. I didn’t know who he meant by ‘her,’ and I started feeling like a creep so I went inside. I have no idea who these guests were, and I don’t think their conversation would help the police, do you?”
    “Maybe,” Olivia said. “Do you mind if I tell them? I’m very close to the chief.”
    “It’s fine with me.” Bev’s relief was palpable. “Thanks for everything. You’ve taken such a load off my shoulders.”
    “It was a fair trade.” Olivia gestured at her empty plate. “Lunch was wonderful.” After promising to send an e-mail with a list of recommended wholesale suppliers, Olivia woke Haviland from his midday nap and left.
    The moment she was in her car, she called Rawlings. To her surprise, he picked up on the first ring.
    “I hope you have Flynn in custody,” she said without preamble.
    “Why’s that?”
    Olivia hesitated. She was on the brink of condemning another person. A resident of Oyster Bay. A former lover. A friend. The least she could do was stop and recognize the gravity of the moment.
    Finally, she closed her eyes and said, “Because I just discovered a piece of evidence against him. Something the owner of The Yellow Lady overheard.”
    “What kind of evidence?” Rawlings wanted to know.
    In a leaden voice, Olivia replied, “The damning kind.”

Chapter 14
    Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust.
    — J OHN W EBSTER
    O livia hurriedly told Rawlings what Bev Kelly had overheard the Thursday night before Violetta was killed.
    “Bev couldn’t sleep so she got up after midnight. The man was complaining about how he’d just been used by Violetta. He must have been her lover. They’d had sex, and afterward she told him to leave. Hurt and angry, he turned to another woman for comfort. The man vowed to make Violetta pay for rejecting him,” Olivia explained. “It has to be Flynn because Violetta’s done this to him before. And it makes sense that he’d seek consolation from Amabel. They also have a shared past. And who knows? The two of them may have been in touch this whole time. That’s just another question you’ll have to ask him.”
    Rawlings grunted. “When I can locate him, that is. I’m afraid Mr. McNulty is nowhere to be found.”
    Olivia sucked in a sharp breath. “You have people at his house, right?”
    “As we speak,” Rawlings said. “There’s no indication that he’s left town. His house is orderly, and nothing appears to be missing. I believe he’s around. I just don’t know where. And in light of what you’ve told me, I’m wondering what his intentions are.”
    “I don’t like the sound of that.”
    “That makes two of us. Listen, Olivia, do not go back to your house without me,” Rawlings commanded. “The last time you went home alone, an inebriated Mr. McNulty was waiting on your doorstep.”
    Olivia sighed. “Flynn could be on a boat to anywhere by now. Why would he go to my house?”
    “Last night, he came to tell you his side of the story,” Rawlings said. “He may have more to share. For whatever reason, he wants you to hear what he has to say, so you need to stay in a highly visible, public place until I can get to you. As soon as I have the chance, I’ll drive you home so you can pack a bag. You’re not sleeping at your place tonight.”
    “But—”
    “I put out an APB for Mr. McNulty,” Rawlings interrupted. “The men guarding Lowell’s hospital room have also been told to watch out for him. Time is running out, Olivia. You must see that. All the players are growing restless, and someone’s going to snap. Don’t expose yourself to unnecessary danger. Just let things play out. We’re close to ending this. I know we’re close.”
    Olivia wondered what he meant by that. “Are you making headway with the interviews?”
    “We’re seeing cracks in the storytellers’ composures. Of course, those who threaten to lawyer up will have to be released within the next few hours unless we find incriminating evidence in their hotel rooms or cars. I’m going to hold them at the station as long as possible. We have to keep at it. We’ve got to find something to break this case.”
    “All right, here’s my proposed itinerary.