Written in Stone (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

boss,” Judson replied after a slight pause.
    Olivia fought to mask her anger. “He was probably referring to Michel, The Boot Top’s head chef. I own the restaurant, but Willis works”—she corrected herself—“worked under Michel.”
    “Willis said the guy’s bark was worse than his bite—that he was used to him,” Judson said. “But I told him that he shouldn’t have to accept disrespect in or out of the kitchen. No one should put up with—”
    “Well said, Judson,” Fletcher interrupted smoothly. “However, that doesn’t matter now. We need to find out what happened to Willis, call the tribal chair, and get to Talley’s side as quickly as we can. Willis was the only family she had left and we don’t want her to go through this nightmare alone. So if you’ll excuse us.” He gave Olivia a little bow.
    She handed the attorney her business card. “Please call me if there’s anything I can do. As Willis’s employer, I feel a responsibility to his sister.”
    “That’s mighty kind of you. I’ll be in touch,” Fletcher promised.
    Judson gave her another sad smile and then the two men strode up the trail toward the exit.
    Olivia headed back to the copse of trees where she’d left Rawlings and the memory jug. The Bayside Book Writers were waiting for her there. They looked at her with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
    “The chief told us that you think Talley looks like Munin,” Millay said, the question in her tone evident.
    Relieved that she could focus on something other than Willis’s death for the moment, Olivia nodded. “They have the same nose, face shape, and eyes. But it’s more than that. The way Talley carries herself reminds me of Munin too. She has Munin’s piercing stare.”
    “Willis didn’t react at all when you mentioned Munin’s name,” Rawlings reminded her.
    “No, but he certainly reacted to the Klan token.” She turned to Harris. “Can you do some research this afternoon? Find out if there are any documented hate crimes against the Lumbee following the Battle of Hayes Pond?”
    Harris checked his watch. “I can, but not until after the kids’ cooking demonstration. I’m supposed to be working, and if I don’t show up on Monday with ideas for the company’s new game, I’ll lose my chance to take the lead on the project.”
    Olivia glanced at Laurel. “I know you have to stay. You’ve got a bigger story to cover now.”
    Laurel sighed. “I’m not looking forward to gathering quotes on Willis while people are still trying to digest the news. At least I can bring the jug with me. Maybe someone will recognize one of the mystery objects.” She shook her head. “I’m going to be home late again. Guess I should grab a snack before I get started. Be right back.”
    Millay picked at her chipped purple nail polish as though standing still were causing her physical pain. “I don’t have to be at the bar until nine, so if you need help, just say the word.”
    “We need to get a complete picture of the Locklear family,” Olivia said.
    “Sure. I can surf a few of those genealogical sites. Harris isn’t the only one who can find stuff on the Internet. I can be a wicked cyber geek too.”
    Harris scowled. “The only sites you have bookmarked on your laptop are soft-core porn featuring a bunch of half-naked vampires.”
    “There’s nothing
soft
about them,” she protested. “And they’re totally naked. I mean, who needs clothes when you can’t feel the cold?”
    “What makes dead guys so damn hot?” Harris grumbled. “It’d be like sleeping with a six-foot ice pack.”
    Olivia put out her hands to stop Millay from continuing the conversation. “Enough. Why don’t we all meet again for dinner at The Bayside Crab House? I’m sure by seven we’ll all need a margarita or a tall glass of beer.”
    “Order me a pitcher,” Millay said, pivoting on her heel. “Of each.”
    Rawlings, who’d been noticeably quiet during this exchange, shook his head in frustration. “Don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions?” he asked. “You met Munin once. You met Talley once. And suddenly they’re related and possibly the victims of a hate crime?” He moved to touch her and then abruptly changed his mind. “It’s all right to be upset about Willis. That’s what death does to us. It throws us off balance, makes our world tilt. But you can’t restore order by involving everyone in an investigation. This thing with Munin, it’s a long shot at