"A Murder In Milburn", Book 1: Death At A Diner by Nancy McGovern

growing anger. Whoever killed Raquel, whoever destroyed her best friend, was in this very town, perhaps sleeping, perhaps gloating, perhaps relieved. Either way, for now, the murderer thought he had won. Nora’s anger roared inside her. Harvey was right. At all costs, she would find and destroy the … the monster who had done this.
    Harvey leaned his head so that it lay stacked on top of hers. “You’ll be okay, won’t you?” He asked.
    “I’ll be fine,” Nora said. “You’re right. I have to be. For her.”
    “Good.” He took her phone, keyed in his number, and saved it. “Call me anytime, and I mean any time.” He stood, stretched, and looked at the time. “5am. I’d better get going now. Long day ahead of me.”
    “Harvey.” Nora caught his hand suddenly as he prepared to head towards the window from where he had broken in.  
    He turned and looked at her. “Yes?”
    “Nothing,” Nora said, letting his hand go. “I just wanted to say thank you.”

    *****

Chapter 11
    Sean sat across from her in the interrogation room and noted the dark circles under Nora’s eyes. His heart twisted. He’d expected her to look fragile. He’d been worried she was broken. But here she was, looking more determined than anything else. This was the last place he wanted to meet her, this tiny cage with its grey walls, mirrored observation deck, and sparse table-and-chair set up. Yet, here they were, both playing their parts. As Sheriff, no matter how he felt, he couldn’t just reach up and give her the powerful hug he wanted to.
    How long had he known Nora? All his life, he supposed, just like he’d known Raquel, Ashley, Wallis and most of the town all his life. He’d been a year ahead of them in school, but dated a cheerleader their age. Mandy, one of Raquel’s friends. now 4 years married to a stockbroker from Dallas, living the good life in London. He blinked, realizing he hadn’t thought about his first girlfriend in nearly ten years now. Funny, considering how heartbroken he’d been when they first split.  
    Focusing back to the present, Sean thought over everything Nora had just told him. “So what you’re saying is, given that she still had her jewelry on her, and there was no cash in the til,l it wasn’t a drifter but a local who did it. Whoever killed her took her keys and purse, locked up, and went back to their lives.”
    “Yes,” Nora said. “Now if we only knew the time of death we could…”
    Sean’s face shuttered close. For a moment, Nora had seen a man, a friend. Now, he was only a strict official on duty.
    “I’m afraid I can’t disclose details of the case just yet,” he said. “I hope you understand.”
    She said she did, though Sean saw a flash of irritation move across her face.
    “Nora, do you know anyone who wished to harm Raquel?”
    Nora shook her head. “To be honest, Sean, I’ve been back here only three months ago and missing for ten years. I talked to her each week, but I still didn’t know as much about Raquel as a best friend should. But… I can’t believe anyone could ever want to hurt her.”
    That was what troubled Sean. In town, word would soon spread that Raquel’s death wasn’t at the hands of a murderer, but more likely done by one of the fine upstanding locals. Sean didn’t like to think of what would happen when people found out. This was a friendly town, but it could close ranks around outsiders, and right now, even though she’d grown up here, Nora was an outsider, just returned three months ago after ten years in big cities. Plus, as Raquel’s business partner, she had a possible motive, and she had the means.  
    Luckily, her alibi was strong enough – wasn’t it?
    “I last saw her when we… when she…” Nora looked away from him for a moment, fighting to keep the tears within her. Recovering, she began again. “I last saw Raquel at about 8pm. Harvey and I were going out for a date, and Raquel had come over to help me pick out an outfit.