The Folly Beach Mystery Collection Volume II by Bill Noel

Author:Bill Noel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Enigma House Press

17

The day after the fundraiser, I was having breakfast at the Dog, joking with Amber, and watching Marc Salmon and Houston Bass arguing about a parking ordinance the council had been debating. Were they as worried about the upcoming election as Brian was? I also replayed parts of last night’s fundraiser and what I had told Charles about how Katelin had reacted to Brian’s complimentary comment about Joel. Charles had been so distracted about Heather that he failed to do what he does best: ask thousands of questions about what I was telling him, most of them irrelevant. I hate to admit it, but I missed his interruptions.

I had noticed a change in Charles since he and Heather had returned from Nashville. He had been one of the most upbeat people I’d ever come into contact with from the day I’d met him until the day they loaded up his car and moved to Music City. Folly had been his home for years and he had embraced it and had become one of its biggest supporters. To be honest, Charles was the walking, talking personification of the kind of person the island I had fallen in love with represented. He liked almost everyone, could find good in the most obnoxious resident, and was a chameleon when interacting with the wide range of personalities with which he came in contact. And I knew from personal encounters with evil that he would put his life on the line for his friends. Charles had said he was glad to be back after their move to Tennessee, and at times I recognized the Charles of old, but while others had said he was the same, I knew differently. I hoped time would bring out the old Charles, for both his and my sake.

Amber had refreshed my coffee when Katelin stepped into the crowded restaurant, glanced around, and headed in my direction. She looked exhausted. Her stylish attire from the fundraiser was replaced by ratty shorts and a wrinkled, black T-shirt with Nike written below the company’s iconic swish.

“Mr. Landrum, umm, Chris, could I join you?”

I nodded toward the seat on the other side of the table. “Of course. Want coffee or something to eat?”

Amber had seen Katelin arrive and was quick to the table.

Katelin started to answer me but looked up at Amber. “Maybe some coffee, yes, coffee please.”

Amber headed to the kitchen, and Katelin tapped her fingers on the table. “Pretty day, isn’t it?”

“Beats last night’s weather,” I said. I wanted to jump into the reason she was here, but it’d be better for her to get there at her own pace.

She looked at the framed photos of dogs on the wall beside me. “Lots of dogs in here.”

I agreed as Amber returned with Katelin’s coffee and a second refill for me. Amber asked if Katelin wanted something to eat. She said no, and Amber moved to the next table to share her endearing smile and helpful attitude.

“Umm,” Katelin said, “saw you talking with Lauren’s dad, umm, Mr.

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