A waitress with a huge overplayed smile came by holding a set of dessert menus. Pearl squinted at her and gave a quick shake of her head. The woman stopped mid-step, her eyes widened, and then she turned on a heel and headed back the way she'd come.

I couldn't believe we were going to be at the bed-and-breakfast but not at least sample a lunch dessert. The chocolate cheesecake cost nine dollars, but you didn't care once the first bite melted on your tongue like a smooth slip into decadence. Someone should have warned me we'd be skipping treats.

"Right down to business, then?" Matthew asked, unzipping his coat but not taking it off. He'd already removed the mittens and stuffed them in the pockets.

Pearl nodded. "I see no reason to not. I'm sure the two of you have important things to get back to in your part of the world."

"Yes, we'd like to return quickly," Harper said. "People are depending on us."

The slightest smirk tipped up Pearl's lips. "Yes, someone's always waiting and things to be done."

"I'm glad you understand," Harper said and pushed her menu away as well.

Pearl dropped the grin. "That's not what I said."

Ohhh. Interesting.

I grabbed my menu to hide from Pearl's gaze but also because I wanted that cheesecake. If they didn't plan to eat food, that was their problem, but I had cash in my pocket and a need for sugar. The three other people at the table took a moment to stare one another down, and I caught the gaze of our waitress as she fidgeted in the corner, waiting for someone who was actually going to order something.

"I'm sure you're not here to sample the lobster. Right?" Pearl asked.

The waitress, I think her name was Jessie, literally hopped forward with recognition I needed something and then leaned over to let me whisper my order to her when she arrived.

"I need a piece of the chocolate cheesecake, but can you have the chef put an extra slash of chocolate over the top?" It was my standard customization, so they'd do it.

"Does anyone else want anything? Waters?" she whispered to me while casting Pearl a quick glance.

I shook my head. Pearl had on her "don't mess with me" expression, and I planned to heed it.

"Whose niece did you say you were?" Pearl asked when our waitress stepped away.

Harper rubbed her hands on the tops of her thighs under the table. "Mae Wildwood. She passed away a few years ago."

Pearl's eyes widened a fraction but only for a millisecond. "Is that what you're telling people?"

Harper and Matthew's heads shot up at her words. I tapped my thumb against the table, trying to figure out what conversation the three of them were having without words.

"Yes," Harper said, narrowing her eyes a fraction. "She died while at work."

Pearl nodded. "I was sorry to hear about her passing, but it was many years ago. I'm not sure what I can do for you now."

Katy directed a couple into the dining room and then watched our group from the opening before heading out into the lobby again. She said nothing, but I read the questions in her eyes. I wouldn't get out of here without an interrogation. Too bad I had no clue what was going on, so I couldn't give her much.

"It's about her work, actually," Harper said and leaned forward on the table.

I leaned in too. Just in case it was a thing we were all doing.

Pearl didn't. She went the opposite way and relaxed back into her chair. "Your aunt was always very secretive about her work. I'm afraid I couldn't help you with that."

"You might help more than you realize," Matthew said, but he didn't lean in either.

A piece of delicious chocolate cheesecake randomly slid in front of me, along with a tall glass of water. Droplets ran down the side, and I gave a thankful chin nod to Katy for dropping it off. She didn't leave.

"Can we help you with something, Katy?" Pearl asked, giving her attention in our direction. Her sleeve rubbed against the corner of the table and displaced the white tablecloth.

Katy straightened behind my chair and smoothed out her unwrinkled skirt. "Just making sure everything is to our high standards."

"We'll alert you if we need anything," Matthew said, putting on a big smile.

Katy scowled at him. She was dating the billionaire who owned the bed-and-breakfast, so cute guy grins didn't work on her. She wanted the gossip. Katy gave me an obvious look and then turned around and left. But I could tell from her walk she wasn't happy about it.

I stuck my fork in the cheesecake and hoped they returned to ignoring me. If they forgot about me, they'd talk more candidly. Meaning, I'd get the gossip.

"My aunt had a box in her possession before she passed, but it is no longer in her collection." Harper spoke but watched me eat the cheesecake.

I pulled the plate closer to me. If she wanted some, she should have ordered some. This was my cheesecake. I forked off the end piece and stuck it in my mouth. My eyes closed, and I held in the moan as my tongue soaked up the delicious flavor.

Pearl stared out the window and kept her gaze that way as she spoke. "Have you checked her favorite storage facility?"

"Yes," Harper answered quickly. "I'm working with them to locate the item."

"And what are you going to do with it once you find it?" Pearl asked, turning back to the conversation.

Harper sat up. "So, you have Aunt Mae's box?"

Pearl shook her head. "I can't imagine why your aunt would give me something so precious. I have no connection to your family's business."

Harper's shoulders sagged. My fork made a clang against the plate as I cut into the next piece of cheesecake. Chocolate syrup covered one side of the plate and I dipped it, soaking up more with the crust.

Screw their gossip. I had cheesecake. None of it made sense, anyway.

"It's very important that we find Mae's box," Matthew said while he stared hard at Pearl.

She stared right back at him without a flinch.

I ate another piece of my ambrosia. It got better with each bite, but as I neared the halfway mark, I had to slow down to enjoy it more.

"It could save the world," Harper said, leaning against the table again.

That sounded a bit much.

Pearl snorted. Guess she agreed with me. "It's always the world needs saving with your family. I have a platter of brownies at my house that would help you relax occasionally."

"Hil... Harper is right," Matthew said. "It's important we find the box as quickly as possible."

"It's really that dire?" Pearl asked, keeping her gaze on Harper.

Harper nodded. "Please, we would appreciate any help you can give us. My aunt wouldn't want it to end like this."

The three of them sat quietly for a tense minute. I did my best to chew my cheesecake slowly so as not to disturb whatever was happening between them.

"Okay," Pearl said.

Harper released a breath. "You'll tell us where the item is?"

Pearl smiled. "No."

Harper frowned. "Then..."

"I'll give you the item, Hildie, because you're right. Mae would want her legacy passed on. She always spoke highly of you." Pearl yanked her bag into her lap and then dug through the contents.

Did Pearl just call Harper the wrong name? Who was Hildie?

Matthew pinched his lips, but his eyes were sharp like his words. "You brought it with you to the restaurant? Here?"

"Yes," Pearl said as she pulled out a small wooden box. It reminded me of a mini treasure chest that almost fit entirely in the palm of her hands.

"You've been walking around with Pan..." Matthew said, but stopped mid-sentence when Harper elbowed him. "That box in your bag?"

Pearl grinned at his beguiled expression. "Not all the time. It's been sitting on my mantel since Mae gave it to me for safe keeping. Until the day someone in her family came asking for it."

Matthew swallowed, and his hands slid into fists on the table's top.

"What's in the box?" I asked, as I finished my last bite of cheesecake. It never lasted long enough.

Pearl passed the box to Harper's waiting hands and shook her head. "Death."

Again with the dramatics.

My phone buzzed, and I flipped it over to see who sent me the message.

BROADRICK: Home in about five hours if this flight goes out on time.

A fat grin covered my face as I sent my reply. The drama happening at the table as Harper examined the outside of the box was lost to me.

VONNIE: I'll pick you up at the airstrip.

"This has been fun," I said to the table, and all three heads turned in my direction. "But I've got places to be and people to do."

Harper squinted at me. "Isn't that...wrong?"

"Nope." I pushed back my chair and stood. "You good, Pearl?"

I didn't want to leave her alone and unprotected if she felt unsafe.

She met my grin with one of her own and a knowing expression. "I'm fine. You go catch yourself a horse and ride it."

I laughed at Matthew and Harper's faces as they watched me walk away.

Katy had returned to her place by the registration desk, and she jetted toward me as I crossed out of the dining room.

"Where are you going? I need the good stuff," she hollered when I kept walking toward the exit instead of stopping to gossip.

I waved at her without turning around. "Operation Seduction is underway, but I have one more errand to run. I'll meet you at my place in two hours. Time is limited."

I crossed the road without looking first-thankfully we didn't get a lot of traffic in Pelican Bay outside of tourist season-and jumped in Broadrick's big red truck. A ding echoed off the enclosed cab as I passed the high school.

"What the hell?" I searched around for the sound.