Eve stood and met the woman at the edge of the deck, reaching down to take the plate. “Don’t worry about it. I was deep in thought, trying to come up with ideas for the speech I’m giving on Saturday. It’s been kind of hard to concentrate. Come on up.”

The older woman joined her on the deck and took the chair she indicated. “I can certainly understand why you’d be distracted. A bomb scare, of all things! Here in our quiet little neighborhood.” She shook her head. “What’s the world coming to?”

“A question I think about every day.”

“I know—and it’s not a pleasant topic. I hoped my brownies would sweeten your afternoon.”

“Guaranteed. Will you share? I could pour you a cup of coffee.”

“No, those are all yours. I kept a few for myself at the house, though—not that I need the calories.” She patted her trim waist.

“I don’t think you have to worry.” Eve pulled one of the rich squares from beneath the plastic wrap. “And I for one could use a helping of comfort food today. I’ll work off the calories later at my spinning class.”

“Having an outlet for stress is smart.”

“More now than ever.” She took a bite of the brownie, letting the chocolate dissolve on her tongue.

“I listened in on your show this morning. I thought you handled the whole matter with aplomb.”

Eve’s throat tightened.

While Olivia was a new friend in her life, the older woman had gone out of her way to welcome her to the neighborhood. And since she’d confessed early on that she didn’t have a political bone in her body and hated controversy, her neighbor’s effort to listen to the program was touching.

“I appreciate the encouragement—and also that you tuned in. I know my program isn’t your thing.”

“I worry about you, my dear.” She patted her hand. “Has there been any news from the police? I hate to think the crazy person who left that fake bomb is still on the loose.”

“I haven’t heard anything, which leads me to believe there haven’t been any breaks in the case.”

“That’s unfortunate. Are the police concerned that this person could come back?”

“I don’t think they’ve ruled out that possibility.” Especially given Brent’s suggestion about personal security.

But Olivia didn’t have to know that. It would only make her worry, and it wasn’t as if there was much chance her older neighbor would be in the line of fire if the person did decide to pay a repeat visit.

“That’s troublesome. Do you think you ought to beef up your security here at the house?”