Virginia Lowell - A Cookie Before Dying

“Hey, I am perfectly capable of kicking down a door when necessary,” Olivia said. “However, I have a new appreciation for Spunky’s escape artistry. He did take unfair advantage of my distraction last night, though, hiding behind my apartment door when I went back for my cell and then following me into the store while I boxed cookies. He needs a stern lecture.”

“And extra treats,” Del said. “I sure appreciate the little guy.”

“I helped, too, you know,” Maddie said as their breakfasts arrived. “Ooh, fresh-squeezed orange juice. I couldn’t settle down to sleep, so I decided to do some baking. I’m the one who called Del when I found Spunky running around the store and Livie nowhere in sight.”

“How did you find me?” Olivia asked as she lifted a forkful of egg and sausage omelette.

“That was me,” Del said. “I just had a feeling you weren’t done investigating, so when Maddie said your car was gone, I sent out an alert and started checking in town. When I didn’t find your car near any of your known haunts, I just drove up and down the streets. Chatterley Heights isn’t that big. Once I saw you’d parked near the dance studio, I figured something was up.”

“Poor Valentina,” Maddie said.

“Poor Raoul.” Olivia speared a roasted potato and paused to admire it. “I assume he has been released?”

Del nodded. “But he insists on staying with his daughter in her cell. He feels responsible. If he’d realized sooner that Valentina was sneaking out, maybe he could have prevented the whole incident. If King hadn’t been able to threaten Valentina, she wouldn’t have gotten the knife away from him and used it to stab him.”

“What will happen to her?”

“I don’t know, Livie, but I suspect the courts will be lenient with her, even though she hid her responsibility for King’s death. Since the case became public, several women in the Baltimore-DC area have come forward with allegations that King abused and stole from them. If their stories can be corroborated, Valentina might be able to plead self-defense. My guess is she will end up back in the hospital.”

“ She lives to dance . . .” Olivia murmured. “Raoul said that last evening, about Valentina. Not being able to dance freely might feel like execution to her.”

“There’s always dance therapy,” Maddie said. “So Lucas, are you going to eat that slice of bacon?”

As Maddie reached toward Lucas’s plate, Olivia caught a glimpse of green sparkle. “Hey, what’s that?” She grabbed Maddie’s hand. “Is that an emerald?”

With a light laugh, Maddie said, “Wow, you’re good. What gave it away, the green part? It matches my eyes. At least that’s what Lucas told me.”

Olivia noted her friend’s sudden flush and said, “It isn’t fair to torture me, I’ve had a rough night. Is this or is this not an engagement ring?”

“Not,” Maddie said. “But close. It’s an I-promise-to-think-about-it ring. Lucas and I had a long talk last night. He’s a good listener. I’m going to work on the . . . the thing we talked about, Livie.”

“I know this is none of my business,” Del said, “although Livie did involve me a bit. Maddie, about your parents’ accident.”

Maddie’s eyes flitted from Del to Olivia and back to Del, but she didn’t explode. Or run away. “What about it?”

“It really was just an accident,” Del said gently. “Cody and I did some digging. There was no alcohol, no drugs of any kind in their systems. Your aunt didn’t tell you anything about this because she thought that was best. Your mom was being treated for depression related to early menopause. The pills made her feel worse, so she stopped them and began feeling much better. When your dad realized how unhappy she was, he cut back on his work to be with her. The accident . . . There was one witness, who wasn’t quoted in any of the published reports. I don’t know why, maybe because she was elderly. She said that a cat crossed the road in front of your parents’ car, and your mother swerved to avoid it. That’s what caused the crash. It wasn’t intentional.”

“Oh that’s . . .” Tears streamed down Maddie’s face. Lucas took one hand, and Olivia took the other. “That’s so like my mom.” She sniffled. “I don’t suppose anyone has a tissue?”

Maddie was quieter for the remainder of breakfast, but Olivia wasn’t worried. She didn’t take the ring off; that was a good sign. After Maddie and Lucas left together, holding hands, Olivia and Del were quiet through a last cup of coffee. Olivia felt comfortable and shy at the same time.

“You know, Del,” she said finally, “you’re an okay guy.” Smooth, Livie .

“Even if I’m too wimpy to punch in a door with my fists?”

“They’re nice fists. I’d hate to see them broken.”

Del picked up her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “Livie Greyson, you and I are due for a long, long talk. The sooner the better.”

Olivia squeezed his fingers. “How about tonight?