“What did you say?” Anastasia screeched.

  The DJ turned around and continued to pack his gear as Anastasia stomped her foot and caught the hem of her black pantsuit on her heel. After she spent several seconds yanking on the shoe, she finally freed it and stormed off toward the bar.

  Within fifteen minutes, all the reunion folks had left the barn. Kate and Aileen helped Cassidy check all the spaces to make sure there were no stragglers, and Ruthanne locked the doors.

  Convening near the tables, Ruthanne asked, “Do we need to clean up anything?”

  Cassidy shook her head. “Anastasia’s crew will get their decorations later. We’ll leave the chairs and tables in place. Hey, we get a little break tomorrow.”

  “No reunion events? That’ll be nice,” Kate said, dusting off her hands.

  “All the events are in town or at the golf course tomorrow,” Cassidy said.

  “Maybe things will start getting back to normal. Did you see that photo of Britt?” Ruthanne asked.

  Aileen smiled. “I hope Anastasia doesn’t forget that giant portrait or the even bigger trophy. That reminds me, Britt used to give the school staff and faculty all autographed copies of her photos every year. But thankfully, none of the pictures were that size.”

  “Let’s go, ladies. I say we call it a night. Everything that needs to be turned off is off,” Kate said.

  Cassidy followed them out the front and set the alarm. She trailed behind the Pearly Girls. “Where’s Roxie?”

  “She left with that retired teacher. They’re headed over to the Grapes of Wrath. None of us were up for extending the evening or crashing her date. Plus, we all had a late night last night,” Aileen said.

  Cassidy waited and waved as the gals climbed into their cars and headed home. Interesting. I forgot to bring up the yarn-bombing escapades. Hey, isn’t that Austin’s silver Mustang? Did he leave with Annie, or one of the gals who was flirting with him at the bar?

  18

  SATURDAY MORNING

  The sun peeked through Cassidy’s bedroom window, making interesting splashes on the bedroom walls. A shrill bird’s call sent her to the window for a peek. No bird in sight, but Austin’s silver Mustang sat alone in its row in the front lot. Grabbing her phone, she checked the time and then fired off a quick text to Annie about Austin’s car.

  Not getting an immediate response, Cassidy continued with her morning routine that Elvis watched from his comfy perch at the end of her bed. “Come on, pup. I need to grab something for breakfast, and I’ll feed you downstairs.”

  She blew through her office-opening tasks and filled Elvis’s bowls to his satisfaction. Still no update from Annie. Sinking into her office chair, she pulled up her camera feeds and scrolled through, starting with the Friday morning clips. At about one-thirty Friday afternoon, Austin pulled into the front parking lot and locked his Mustang. He glanced at his phone and walked toward the barn. She switched cameras and caught him going in and out of the barn, helping Annie unload the van. But there were no other clips of him leaving. She skimmed through the feeds a second time to makesure. I guess he got a ride with someone. Maybe he went out to celebrate after work? It’s just odd that there’s no clip of him leaving.

  She scrolled through her emails and opened her event calendar, but her thoughts kept bouncing back to Austin and where he might have gone. Why does this bother me so much? With all the stuff that’s been going on around here, anything out of the norm makes me edgy. Austin doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would run off and not tell anyone. And Annie usually calls me back right away. Take a breath. If you don’t hear something soon, then let Zac know. It’s probably nothing.

  The front door opened, and Elvis seized the opportunity to be the Celebrations greeter.

  “Hey, puppy,” Aileen said from the front room. “What are you doing up here all by yourself?” Aileen, laden with a shopping bag, a purse, and a beach bag, hustled in through the doorway, managing to scoop up Elvis, who was basking in all the attention along the way. “So, what’s shakin’? What’s new in your love life?” she asked, tickling the chihuahua.

  Cassidy tried not to roll her eyes. “That’s funny. Elvis says to tell you he’s single. And by the way, you sound like Roxie.”

  “Who sounds like me?” Roxie called from the porch as Ruthanne and Kate popped their heads through the doorway to see what they were missing.

  Huddling around the coffeemaker, Aileen said, “I was asking about Cassidy’s social life. I mean, since she’s had two very handsome gentlemen take an interest in her lately. She’s got her pick of beaus. Hey, you didn’t tell us about your lunch with the deeee-tective.”

  “Well, do tell,” Roxie said. “And my advice is to go out with both of them.”

  Cassidy could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. “Austin is friendly, and I’m considering hiring him to work for me when we get the cavern venue ready. That’s it. Nothing more. He’s a talented bartender, and I think he’d be a good addition to the team. He is very good at entertaining his patrons.”

  “I bet. And, what about the fearless Detective Hottie?” Roxie waved her bejeweled hand for Cassidy to hurry up with the details.

  Cassidy could feel her temperature rising. “We chat from time to time about his cases, especially the ones with ties to my property. I’m helping him. You know, like any good citizen would.”

  “What did Shakespeare say? I think she protests too much,” Roxie added with a wink.

  “Yep. I noticed that too,” Kate said. “We’ve all seen how moonie-eyed Zac gets around you. He goes from mister hard-boiled detective to someone who’s crushing on you.”

  “Crushing?” Cassidy’s mouth formed a small “o.”

  “That’s my granddaughter’s term, but it seemed appropriate for this occasion,” Kate replied.

  “He’s trying to solve two murders. It’s all part of his investigative techniques,” Cassidy insisted. “Sometimes, he asks for my help. He’s being a good detective.”

  “Of course he is,” Ruthanne added. “But there’s more to the story. He spends a great deal of time at this place. More than he does at any other business in this town. And as cute as Elvis is and as cool as we are, Zac is definitely here to see you. Believe me, we’ve noticed.”

  “So, tell us more about your interest in our local law enforcement,” Roxie said with a grin.

  Cassidy’s phone rang, and when she glanced down and saw Annie’s name, she said, “I’ve got to take this. Excuse me. Hi, Annie, what’s up?” Cassidy strode toward her desk, grateful to escape the Pearly Girls’ onslaught of questions, but she could feel their stares as she plopped in her chair.

  “Cassidy, sorry I didn’t respond quicker. I’ve been driving around all morning. I am beside myself. I haven’t seen Austin since he helped me load the van last night. He was going back inside to get his phone charger and then head home. Last night when I got home, I was super-busy with unloading the perishables and things I needed. I didn’t even realize he wasn’t home. Austin lives in the guest house behind our garage, so I don’t always see him come and go. When I noticed he wasn’t there, I ran over and checked his place. His bed hadn’t been slept in. This is not like him. I have no idea where he is. I hopped in my car, and I’ve driven around to every place he might be. Cassidy, I can’t find him.”

  Cassidy clicked on the camera app and peeked at the live shots of her property. The silver Mustang sat in the same spot. “His car is still here,” she said. “I reviewed yesterday’s feeds earlier, and I saw him get out of the car, but there were no shots of him leaving with anyone. And no one’s been near his car.”

  “This is so not like him. Austin flirts, but he has no interest in the barflies. He never leaves with the gals he meets. He’s always joking about the things they leave him with his tips. Car keys, hotel keys, love notes… All that’s not his style. He’s working on his MBA online at night, so he’s a hundred percent dedicated to finishing school. When he starts talking about a girl who he likes, that’s when I know it’s serious. He meets hundreds of women at work every week. I’m sure it would break their hearts, but being attentive is part of his job. He doesn’t do hookups. I would put money on it.” She let out another sigh.

  “I’m sorry I don’t have any more information for you,” Cassidy told her. “If he picks up his car, I’ll have him call you.” A sinking feeling grew in the pit of her stomach.

  “Thanks. When I find him, we’ll figure out how to get his car from your place. And that’s after I give him an earful for scaring me half to death. Sheesh. He’s gonna hear about this.” Annie disconnected, and it was Cassidy’s turn to let out a long puff of air. She tapped a quick text to Zac about the car and what Annie had said about her brother.

  He replied in seconds, Thanks. I’ll keep an eye out. Let me know if he turns up.

  A little before lunch, Aileen laced up her tennis shoes. “Kate and I are starting our daily walking routine today. Anyone want to join us?”

  “I’m headed out in a few too,” Roxie said. “I’ve got a date with Martin. We’re going to a couple of wineries this afternoon.”

  “You and that teacher have been seeing a lot of each other lately,” Kate said.

  “All in good fun. He’s heading back to Florida on Monday. Gotta seize the moment. Ta-ta. Y’all have fun on your walk,” Roxie said.

  “You too,” Ruthanne called after her. “I’m heading out soon. I need to meet my book club over at A Novel Idea. We’re planning what we want to read for the next three months. It’s our romance quarter. Va-va-voom. I’m voting for spicy.” She wiggled her eyebrows as she packed her purse.

  “Have fun. We’re going to go lap the grotto and the field around the barn.” Kate held the door for Aileen. “Getting our steps in. We like to move it. Get a mooooove on. Let’s get moooving.” She made up her own song as she marched out.

  When everyone had cleared out of the office, Cassidy picked up Elvis’s leash, and he dashed to the door. “Yep, a walk sounds like a good idea too. Then we’ll go see what we have at home for lunch. Maybe soup and grilled cheese?”

  Elvis yipped his agreement on their way to the patio. He darted out through the partially open door, energized by the time outside and the fall temperatures. A cool breeze sent a shiver through Cassidy, and she pulled her cardigan tighter around her. “I guess the warm leftover summer days are over. Fall is here, and the leaf peepers will be out in full force as soon as the colors start popping out on the trees.” Autumn was always a favorite time for Cassidy. The valley and the surrounding mountains showed off their fall colors, and it was a time for all the fun traditions like apple-picking, hayrides, football games, and bonfires.

  A shrill scream disrupted her trip down nostalgia lane. “What was that?” Elvis tore off toward the grotto. Another earsplitting scream echoed across the grounds, and Cassidy broke into a run.

  “This is like last summer. I can’t believe it,” Aileen said, pointing to the mulched rose bed near the back of the garden. “Kate, hurry up over here. I need a nurse. I hope.”

  Cassidy stepped closer for a better look. A black sneaker sprouted from a black pants leg in the mulched bed. The leg and an arm jutted out from under one of the knockout rose bushes. Cassidy flashed back to the murder of Johnny Storm in the serenity garden last year. She sucked in a deep breath. “Austin! Is he breathing?” Cassidy’s stomach felt like it was rising and falling sharply as if she were on an out-of-control roller-coaster. How can this be happening again? And how did Austin end up in Levi’s flowerbed? Please tell me he’s breathing.

  Kate kneeled down and checked his pulse and his airway. “Call 911. I stopped to tie my shoe, and lo and behold, Aileen finds a body. Tell the dispatcher he’s breathing on his own, but I can’t rouse him. He keeps drifting off. Tell them to hurry with the ambulance.”

  When the call connected, Cassidy blurted, “This is Cassidy Jamison at Celebrations at Ivy Springs. I’m in the garden, and there’s an unconscious man. He’s breathing on his own, but he won’t wake up.”

  “In the garden on the back of the property?” the dispatcher asked.

  “Yes. Where we have outdoor weddings.”

  “Got it. Police and an ambulance are on their way. They’re estimating they’re about three minutes out. You should hear sirens soon.”

  “I’ll go wave them this way,” Aileen said, hustling off toward the parking lot.

  “Thank you. I’ll have someone waiting to show them where we are.” Cassidy stifled a sigh. She tapped the red button and exhaled loudly. I seem to be calling 911 a lot lately.

  “Austin, can you hear me?” Kate yelled in his ear. He groaned and rolled over.

  “Stay still,” Kate commanded. “Help is on the way. They’ll be here in a minute.”

  Cassidy shifted her weight from leg to leg, and Elvis plopped down in the grass. After what seemed like an eternity, EMTs ran into the garden, heading toward the kneeling Kate. She rose and stepped out of the way as they swooped in. Butch Chalmers, sporting the uniform of an Ivy Springs deputy, rounded the corner and headed toward the group huddled around Austin.

  The team worked on Austin for what seemed like forever. Cassidy, Ruthanne, Kate, and Aileen stood in stony silence, trying to pick up any clue about what was going on as the EMTs worked on Austin.

  A soft touch on Cassidy’s shoulder made her jump and swallow a squeal.

  “Sorry,” Zac said. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I guess you found the bartender. What happened?”

  “Kate and I were on our walk. I went over to sniff the last of the roses, and I saw a tennis shoe sticking out,” Aileen said. “I totally freaked out. All I could think about was last summer.” She clutched both of her hands like she was hugging herself.

  “And she screamed like a little schoolgirl,” Kate added. “I checked his pulse. He was breathing but kinda out of it.”

  “Any idea why he was in your garden?” Zac asked, looking at Cassidy.

  Cassidy shook her head. “I was trying to figure out why he’d left his car here. I guess we know why now.”

  “Have you called his sister yet?” She shook her head, and he continued: “Tell her he’s breathing. I’m not sure what hospital they’re taking him to. I can find out for her.”

  “Sentara Martha Jefferson in Charlottesville,” the EMT yelled.

  Cassidy nodded and punched Annie’s contact. After three rings, she got her voicemail. “Hey, Annie. This is Cassidy. We found Austin unconscious in the garden. He’s breathing, but they’re taking him to the hospital in Charlottesville to check him over. Sentara Martha Jefferson. Detective Turner is here with me. Call me when you get this message.” She disconnected and took several deep breaths to calm the bats that were flying around in her stomach.

  “Anything else unusual?” he asked, scanning the area.

  Cassidy paused and watched as Deputy Chalmers walked in concentric circles around the flower bed, searching for evidence. “Did he just join y’all?” she asked, indicating the deputy.

  “Yep. He finished the academy recently and signed on with us. Did you notice anything unusual about Austin the last time you saw him?”

  “No. I checked the cameras before I called Annie about the car. I saw Austin arrive, and there were a couple of shots of him working near the barn. I never saw him leave,” Cassidy said.

  “Who was he with?” he asked.

  “Annie, and everyone at the reunion who ordered a drink. He always had a crowd at the bar.”

  A dark look crossed the detective’s face, but he seemed to recover quickly. He jotted something in his black notebook and nodded. Then he turned and joined the deputy in his search. One of the EMTs returned with a gurney. Cassidy watched as they lifted Austin onto it and wheeled him out of the garden.

  “I hope he’s okay,” Aileen said. “This is too much. What else is going to happen around here? This reunion is jinxed.”

  “Why in the world was he in the garden?” Kate asked. “Or is this because of something more sinister? Did he see or hear something he shouldn’t have? We know he talked to just about everyone at the reunion. Why would someone want him out of the way?”

  “Or did he meet someone out here?” Aileen asked.

  “If he did, it went bad,” Kate added.

  “Annie said he went back to the barn, where he had forgotten his phone charger. If he were leaving after retrieving it, the garden path isn’t the closest way to his car,” Cassidy said.

  The three women and Elvis stood by quietly, watching the police continue to search the area.

  First two dead bodies, and now an injured bartender. Something niggled at the back of Cassidy’s thoughts, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. It was like something hiding in a foggy mist. What was his connection to Britt and Darcy? And what had happened to him when he was getting his phone charger?

  19

  SATURDAY AFTERNOON

  After the EMTs and police left, a pall fell over the group. Not having anything else to do in the office, Aileen and Kate headed home. Cassidy and Elvis finished their walk and trudged back to the apartment.

  Cassidy’s phone binged as she unlocked the back door. I’m at the hospital in Cville. Austin has been moved to a room for observation. Thanks for leaving me the msg, Annie texted.

  Cassidy stared at her phone for a couple of beats. How could all this be happening here at what was supposed to be a fun high school reunion? Shaking off the dark feelings and the guilt, thinking that maybe she could have done something to prevent some of it, she unhooked the dog’s leash. “Elvis, let’s get you situated, and I’m going to do a road trip to Charlottesville and see how Austin is. Maybe he’s awake and remembers something.”

  She scooped up her purse and headed back out the door again. “Why did they take him to Charlottesville when there are closer hospitals?” she asked herself aloud, climbing into the Jeep and locating a radio station with peppy music for the forty-some-minute trek to the other side of the mountains.