Steve sank back into his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “What happens if somebody stumbles across Nathan’s decomposing body?”

Ray crunched his lollipop between his molars, no doubt yearning for the cigarettes he’d given up the prior year. “Then it becomes an estate issue. Let’s move on to the next item on our agenda.”

Mandy scanned the other faces. No one else seemed to be bothered by the thought of Nathan’s death. Was she reading motives into Ray’s behavior?

The next fifteen minutes were spent arguing about the spring beautification campaign. Business owners on Main Street squabbled for position. Carolyn looked like she wanted to stick a fork in her eye, and Mandy remembered why she let her mother be the inn’s representative at these meetings whenever possible.

With another impatient and annoying tap of his knuckles, Ray brought the meeting to a close. People started milling about. Mandy stood, bumping into Carolyn as the real estate agent hurried down the aisle.

“Oh, excuse me.” Mandy wiped a few drops of spilled coffee from the table. “Any idea how long it will take for the diner to go into arrears?”

“No.” Carolyn snapped. Her eyes sharpened. “Why do you care? Are you thinking of buying it?”

“No, but vacant buildings aren’t good for the town’s image.” Or her peace of mind.

“True.” Carolyn’s whole face sagged with a frown. “But who would buy it? This place isn’t exactly Manhattan.” She stared at her pumps and toyed with her necklace, sliding it back and forth on its chain.

Steve butted into the conversation. “Mandy’s right. A boarded-up restaurant on Main Street is an eyesore. It’s only three doors from my gift shop. Can’t the town declare eminent domain or something? We could bulldoze it and do something else with the space.”

“The situation is what it is, Steve. There’s nothing anyone can do to rush due process of law.” Sounding defeated, Carolyn waved off any more discussion. “I have to get back to work.”

“Me, too. Nice to see you,” Mandy said to Carolyn’s back. Steve rejoined the larger group. The real estate agent exited without her usual round of good-byes. Mandy looked around for Ray. He was arguing with Steve and Ralph.

Danny was ordering from the barista. His back was to her.

Mandy headed for the steps. She glanced back at the group. No one was looking at her. They were all still engaged.