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“It’s not the company. It’s just been a long day.”
    He smiled. “You’re welcome. And thank you for
your
company.” He looked up for a moment at the blue-black night sky shot with stars. “It’s good to be home,” he said when his eyes finally met mine again.
    We looked at each other, the moment stretching out between us. Then Nick cleared his throat and glanced over at the house. I’d left the outside light on. “You’d better get in. It’s cold out here.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, just below my hat.
    I headed for the steps, fighting the urge to touch the spot with my fingers. I turned at the door and raised one hand in good night. Nick did the same and then turned and headed down the sidewalk.
    I gave in and put my fingers to my forehead. Was it just my imagination that I seemed to still be able to feel the warmth of his lips?
    *   *   *
    Avery was waiting by the side door of Liz’s house in the morning, standing under the outside light, huddled into her giant parka and big polar fleecemittens, hugging a square tin covered with pink peonies to her chest.
    â€œIt’s so freakin’ cold,” she said as she climbed into the passenger side of the SUV. “Can I have hot chocolate? Please, please, please?”
    â€œYes,” I said. “If Lily doesn’t have any made, we’ll stop somewhere and get you some. How did the cake turn out?”
    She threw back her hood and smiled. “So excellent.” She set the rectangular tin on the seat between us. “This is for coffee-break time this morning,” she said. “There’s enough for everybody.”
    I smiled at her. “Thank you, Avery. You didn’t have to do that.”
    â€œYes, I did,” she said, fastening her seat belt. “Rose gave me that look. You know the one I mean, where she wants you to do something nice, but she doesn’t say it because she wants you to do it without being told.”
    I did.
    Avery flipped through the radio stations as we drove down to the bakery. I parked directly in front of the shop and we got out. I peered through the front window, but there was no sign of Lily at the counter getting ready for her day.
    â€œThat’s odd,” I said.
    Avery shrugged. “Maybe she forgot we were coming.”
    â€œMaybe,” I agreed, although that wasn’t like Lily at all. Then again, neither was last night’s outburst.
    Avery tried the door. “Hey, Sarah, this is open,” she said.
    That was wrong as well. I felt a prickle of apprehension. “Go wait in the car,” I said, stepping past her.
    She gave me her “stupid adult” look. “Uh, not likely,” she said, following me inside.
    I called out Lily’s name a couple of times, but there was no answer.
    â€œMaybe she’s in the kitchen and has her iPod on or something,” Avery offered.
    It was possible, although I’d never seen Lily with an iPod.
    I pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen. The lights were on, but there was no sign of Lily anywhere. And there were no loaves of bread cooling on racks. No cinnamon rolls waiting to go in the oven. Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. Then I saw the door down to the basement was open.
    I turned to look at Avery. “Just stay right here,” I said. “Without giving me a hard time for once. Please.” Something in my voice or my face must have told her not to argue this time.
    I walked over to the open basement door, my heart pounding loudly in my ears. Lily was at the bottom of the basement stairs. There was blood on two of the steps. I didn’t go down to check on her. I could tell from the angle of her neck that she was dead.

Chapter 4
    I turned around and hustled Avery back out to the SUV.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she asked.
    â€œJust go,” I said, putting one hand in the middle of her back and pushing