Written in Stone (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

stepped back, allowing Michel to return to the counter. The head chef garnished a plate of chicken with asparagus and fried capers and then hurried to fill a wide bowl with Asian noodles tossed with barbecued duck confit. Noah beckoned a cameraman to get a close-up of a plate of scallops and bacon with port reduction and then instructed another crewmember to take shots of waiters delivering the entrées to the dining room.
    Michel didn’t break stride for a second. As the filming continued, Olivia found the process repetitious and rather dull, so when the dinner orders increased in number and the kitchen fell into its customary rhythm, she decided to go home. Her business would flourish because of today’s events, but the success was marred by her inability to identify the class ring. Having gone through the entire list of North Carolina high schools, Olivia had yet to find one whose mascot was a bee or a wasp.
    And though she planned to leave, she didn’t. She tarried at the restaurant long enough to feed Haviland and have a drink, and thirty minutes soon turned into an hour. Then two. She ended up chatting with some of The Boot Top’s most loyal customers, including the mayor and his wife, until it was well past her own dinnertime.
    Back in the kitchen, Olivia had an array of delectable dishes to choose from. She opted for the scallops and ate the succulent dish at one of the long counters, contentedly watching her employees wash, chop, toss, tenderize, sauté, flash fry, mix, plate, and garnish the evening’s menu items. This was one of her favorite places to sit, and she smiled as Michel barked orders like a drill sergeant, his demeanor unaffected by the presence of the
Talk of the Town
crew.
    Noah, who’d snacked throughout the day on mixed nuts, carrot sticks, and strips of dried fruit, was being treated to beef carpaccio with Parmesan, a mango and avocado salad, and tuna tartare. He’d also decided to dine in the kitchen and sat down next to Olivia, looking tired but content. “We’ve wrapped for today,” he said. “Got some really good stuff, but we’ll be back tomorrow. I want to film desserts and do a sidebar on Willis.”
    Olivia didn’t want the crew to invade her restaurant for a second day, especially since she’d planned on spending a few hours at The Bayside Crab House, but after glancing at Michel’s flushed and happy face, she nodded in acquiescence.
    “I have to admit,” Noah said after swallowing a bite of tuna. “I had my doubts about what kind of talent we’d find here, but I am seriously impressed.” He gestured at the plates in front of him. “Michel could open a raw food restaurant in LA and make a fortune.”
    “He could make a fortune anywhere, but he’s content in Oyster Bay,” Olivia said, hoping she spoke the truth.
    “Then he’s found his place.” Noah polished off his meal and left the kitchen in search of Candice and his cigarettes. He was back minutes later, complaining that Candice was nowhere to be found.
    “Willis! Can I bum a smoke?” he shouted amicably to the sous-chef.
    To his credit, Willis finished steaming a pot full of vegetables and dumped them into a colander before offering Noah his entire pack.
    The director shook out a single cigarette and then asked Willis for a lighter. “Want to take a break?”
    Willis shook his head. “Sorry, I’ve got sides to plate.”
    Noah gave the sous-chef a thumbs-up and proceeded outside. At that moment, Olivia happened to glance over at Michel. She saw something dark flit across the chef’s face and realized that he wasn’t watching the director. He was glaring at Willis.
    He’s jealous,
Olivia thought. At any other time, she might be amused by Michel’s juvenile behavior, but the dining room was filled with customers and a negative mood could affect the chef’s cooking. When he was truly miserable, he tended use too much salt or was heavy-handed with sauces, ladling them on until they threatened to overpower the entire dish.
    “I’m going home,” she told him as he drizzled soy sauce over a tangle of Asian noodles. “You’ve outdone yourself today, Michel. Shelley Giusti is sure to sit up and take notice.”
    Upon hearing the name of the lovely pastry chef, Michel perked up immediately. “You think so?”
    Olivia nodded. “The whole crew’s been talking about how great it was to watch you do your thing.” She gestured at Willis, who was busy arranging the steamed vegetables on two dinner