Written in Stone (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

punched in the stomach,” Millay finished for her.
    Talley nodded and then sought relief from her inhaler again.
    Horrified by Talley’s revelation, Olivia stared at the young woman. She could picture a deranged white supremacist spraying graffiti on the two cars, incensed over the idea of two Native American kids making good, of the tribe opening a successful business during tough economic times. The Lumbee would run the casino, forcing the non-Indian locals to make nice in order to get a piece of the pie. Were remnants of the Klan still active in Robeson County?
    At that moment, several customers entered the booth and Talley and Millay stopped speaking to help them.
    Rawlings was there too, holding the memory jug in his arms. “The gentleman with the impressive walking stick was at the Battle of Hayes Pond,” he said, indicating the man with the mouthful of chewing tobacco. “He didn’t recognize anything on the jug, and though Munin’s name sounded familiar to him, he couldn’t remember why. He’s going to introduce us to the other Lumbee who were present at the battle. Laurel and Harris are asking him a few follow-up questions and we may pull something from Laurel’s notes later, but so far the guy hasn’t told us anything new.”
    “Millay’s been great with Talley,” Olivia whispered. “But I think the two of us being here is all she can take. I’ll ask her about the jug while you guys talk to the Hayes Pond folks.”
    Rawlings picked up a cutlery basket and examined the yellow and green floral pattern woven around the handle. “My sister would love this.” He handed Olivia some cash. “Would you put that aside for me?”
    She smiled at him, knowing that he was buying the basket more for Talley than to brighten his sister’s kitchen. “Of course.”
    When she swiveled to tuck Rawlings’ purchase under the table, she hit a basket woven into the shape of a teacup with her elbow. It bounced off Haviland’s back and landed between his paws. Startled, the poodle grabbed it between his teeth and trotted out of the booth, prancing in the middle of the aisle. He was ready for a game of chase.
    “Captain!” Olivia scolded.
    Talley put a hand on her arm. “It’s okay. Even if he slobbers all over the basket, he’s going to attract lots of attention.”
    She was right. Within minutes, people gravitated to Haviland. When they reached out to pet him, he’d dance to the side, swinging his head around so that they’d be looking directly at the basket in his mouth.
    “Aren’t you the cutest thing?” a woman wearing a fanny pack and an enormous sun hat exclaimed. “And what a sweet basket!” She marched into the booth and purchased two items.
    An hour later, Talley’s stock was so depleted that Olivia decided to place the jug at the end of one of the tables. “Do you mind if I display this?” she asked Talley. “I’m trying to identify the objects on here and I was hoping a passerby would recognize one of them.”
    Talley was instantly curious about the piece. “I’ve seen jugs like this before, but those pieces were mostly covered by bottle caps or other junk. This one has real valuables on it. Look at this starfish necklace.” She carefully spun the jug. “And somebody’s class ring? Where did you get this?”
    Olivia watched Talley carefully. “Have you ever heard of a woman named Munin Cooper?”
    Straightening, Talley considered the question, but her expression was totally blank. She shook her head. “No. Is she a famous potter or something?”
    Stroking the smooth lid of a picnic basket, Olivia wondered how much to say. In between customers, Talley had been shedding her tears into a paper napkin, but her red-rimmed eyes and blotchy skin betrayed her grief. Was it right to talk to her about Munin now?
    “She lived on the other side of this forest,” Olivia said after a long pause. “I only met her once, but it was a memorable interaction.” Studying Talley, she added softly, “She was an old woman, but I swear there’s an undeniable resemblance between you two. I know that sounds ridiculous, but the moment I saw you onstage, I felt like I was looking at a much younger version of Munin.”
    Talley didn’t seem to find Olivia’s confession strange. In fact, she pretended not to notice the customer searching for a price tag on a hearth basket. “Maybe we are related. My mom’s parents moved to Florida when I was a baby and they passed away before I was three. I never