Books of a Feather by Kate Carlisle Page B

store was located inside the office.
    â€œI was closing the door,” he insisted. “Not opening it. You have to believe me. I wouldn’t cheat you.”
    â€œHow much does he pay you?”
    â€œUsually about fifty bucks.”
    â€œWhere did you meet him?”
    â€œHe came in one day when you weren’t here.”
    Oh boy. I was willing to bet the guy had specifically waited for a moment when Genevieve wasn’t around.
    â€œHow many times have you called to tell him about a book?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe six or seven times.”
    â€œAnd each time you’ve called, he’s come into the store?”
    He paused. “Well, I’ve never actually seen him come in, but I’m not here every day. I just figured you waited on him.”
    â€œSo how do you get your finder’s fee?”
    â€œWe meet down the street at the brewpub.”
    Oh, Billy
, I thought, shaking my head.
    â€œWhen was the last time you called him?” Genevieve’s tone had softened. She had to be realizing the same thing I had, that Billy was being taken for a ride. Young and gullible, he was an easy target for a con man.
    â€œYesterday. I called to tell him about the
Almanack
.”
    â€œEven after I took it from you?”
    â€œHe still might be interested in buying it.”
    â€œDo you remember the other books you recommended to him?”
    â€œYeah. He likes mysteries and thrillers, so I told him about the collection of James Bond books we got from that estate sale. That was about two months ago.”
    â€œAnd that was around the last time we were robbed. Do you know what was taken?”
    â€œYou never told me.”
    â€œIt was a collection of five first-edition James Bond books. Worth about sixty thousand dollars.”
    There was a pause and then Billy said, “I—I don’t believe it.”
    â€œYou’re willing to believe a stranger, but not your family?Billy, honey, I know you had nothing to do with the burglaries, but this guy is using you to steal from the store.”
    I could hear him start to cry and felt like weeping myself. I was also really worried about the
Almanack
now, since Billy had already alerted the thief. I had to remind myself that it was no longer in jeopardy at the bookshop but securely locked in my safe at home.
    â€œI’m so sorry, Gen,” Billy said. “I didn’t think he—”
    â€œIt’s okay, honey. It’s okay. But we’re going to call the police, okay? And you’re going to describe the man to them.”
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    Late Friday afternoon, Derek was just pouring us each a glass of wine when the doorbell rang. He raised an eyebrow. “Are you ready for this?”
    â€œAre you?” I asked.
    â€œAs ready as I’ll ever be,” he said, and held up his glass. “Here’s to welcoming our first official overnight guests to our new home.”
    We clinked our glasses, took a quick sip of wine, and then hurried to the door to greet our visitors.
    â€œSweetie!”
    â€œHi, Mom,” I said, and was instantly wrapped up in a happy hug.
    Yes, my mom and dad were our first visitors in our new space. Even though we had spent the past three months living next door to them in Dharma while the house was being remodeled, I felt as if I hadn’t seen them in a long time. Maybe because so much had happened since we had come home.
    Mom hugged Derek next and said, “This is so nice of you to let us stay for the weekend.”
    â€œWe’re happy to have you both, Rebecca.”
    Mom blushed and I couldn’t blame her. Derek was one of the fewpeople who called her Rebecca, and she seemed to glow whenever she heard him utter her formal name in his charming British accent.
    â€œHey, punkin’,” my father said, sweeping me into his arms for a robust hug. “You look great.”
    â€œThanks, Dad. So do