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good a start. She tried the front door but that was locked, even though the posted hours on the door were weekdays eight to four. She walked around to the back and noticed an older blue Ford Taurus parked next to the rear entrance.
    Frustrated, she peered through the windows. At first she couldn’t see anything but outlines of large objects. Slowly her eyes adjusted and she noticed a large file cabinet to the right of the window, and next to that, jutting out into the room, a wide gray metal desk. And on the floor, next to the desk, what looked like a crumpled body. There was just enough light from a desk lamp to show a dark stain emanating from under the body.
    Lizzie crouched down and tried to slow her heart rate.
Oh no
 . . .
not
another body.
Would the book club get pulled into yet another murder? There’d been too many bodies in too short a time.
    She wondered if the attacker had left or lurked just inside the door. Without a look back, she darted around the front to her own car, jumped in and locked the doors. With a shaky hand, she pulled out her cell phone and punched in 911.
    The dispatcher advised her to stay locked inside her car until the police got there. It was a short wait until two police cars and an ambulance arrived in tandem. She rolled down her window and told the officer what she’d seen. One car drove around the back followed by the ambulance. The other car was just about to pull across and block the entrance to the parking lot when Mark pulled in.
    Lizzie got out of her car and managed to stay calm by leaning back against it.
    â€œI don’t believe it,” Mark said in an exasperated voice. “You’re first at a crime scene again? Didn’t I tell you not to get involved?” He looked at her and then wrapped his arms around her, whispering in her ear, “Are you all right?”
    Lizzie gently pulled away. “Yes, I am. But whoever is inside sure isn’t.”
    â€œYou wait here. And I mean it. I’ll be right back.”
    Mark signaled to the officer at the other cruiser to keep an eye out and he walked around back of the building. About ten minutes later he came back. “The body is that of the owner, Orwell Rivers, and he’s been murdered. Did you see anyone else when you were arriving?”
    â€œNo. The lot was empty and I don’t recall passing by any cars heading into town from this direction. Not once I got on Beaufort Road.”
    â€œWhat are you doing out here anyway?” He sounded sterner now, although see couldn’t see his eyes behind his shiny reflective sunglasses. He’d left his police hat in the car and perspiration glistened on his forehead. She wanted to tell him he’d better put the hat on but thought better of it, looking at the set line of his mouth.
    â€œHonestly, I just came out to get a copy of Teensy’s book. I wanted to read it before I see her again. And I hoped to make arrangements for the delivery of more books. I know Molly would want that done right away.”
    Mark sighed. “When a suspect starts out a statement with the word ‘honestly,’ I know it’s most certainly anything but.”
    â€œSuspect? What am I suspected of?”
    â€œMeddling. Now, did you call him this morning before heading out here?”
    â€œNo, I just took a chance he’d be here. And he was.” She swallowed hard. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw him lying there. Don’t you think it’s suspicious that this would happen the day after Molly was attacked? And they both had something to do with Teensy’s book?”
    â€œThat may not be the only connection between the two. Or there might not be a connection at all. There doesn’t have to be. These could be two very separate incidents. But yes, it is suspicious. And now even more dangerous. Which is why I’m telling you to stay out of it.” He ran his hand across his damp forehead and removed his