A woman about my age was behind the counter. She was tall and slender, with dark corkscrew curls that cascaded down over her shoulders, and was wearing a long, breezy orange dress I’d seen on a mannequin in the window of the store. The woman had been working on her computer when I came in, but now she glanced up in my direction and smiled politely.

“Can I help you find something?” she asked.

“Yes—actually, I’m looking for Diana Barlos?”

The woman studied me for a moment. “I’m Diana. I don’t think we know each other?”

“No, we don’t. I’m Maggie Cabot. I called you yesterday and left a message.”

“Oh, right.” Diana frowned. “I hadn’t decided if I was going to respond.”

“I figured. That’s why I decided to drive down and see you in person. I’m sorry to barge in like this, but it’s important that I talk to you.”

Diana was silent for a few beats. Finally, she nodded, and said, “Okay. But not here. There’s a coffee shop down the block. Let’s go there.”

Chapter Nine

“I know they found Hannah’s body,” Diana said. “I saw it on the news.”

She seemed reserved, but maybe that was because I had surprised her by showing up. Back at the store, Diana had arranged for one of her employees to cover the register, and then she and I made the short walk to the coffee shop. It was a cute place with mismatched chairs painted in a rainbow of colors and kitschy artwork hanging on the walls. We each ordered a cappuccino and sat at a small corner table, away from the other customers, most of whom were tapping away on laptops or staring at phones.

“I didn’t realize that they’d released that information to the media yet.” I sipped my coffee, which was so hot it scalded my tongue. “I suppose it was only a matter of time.”

“It just came out this morning, I think. It was the lead story on the local news. I’m sure the police will want to talk to me again.”

“Is that why you agreed to speak with me?”

Diana tilted her head to the side. “I suppose that’s part of it. That, and you came all the way down here to see me. You said in your voice mail message that you and James live in Shoreham?”

“Yes, we do.”

“I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s a pretty town.”

“It is. Idyllic, really. The perfect place to raise a family. Do you have children?”

“No,” Diana said.

From her abrupt response, I had the feeling that this wasn’t her favorite topic of conversation. I decided to get to the point.