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Just then, there was a loud crashing sound coming from the kitchen, followed by irate voices. Moments later, Tex walked into the living room. His face was red and he had a hunted look on his face.ôWho puts their best China on a table in front of the kitchen door?ö he muttered, then sank down on the nearest couch and turned on the television. A dating show was in full progress, so he decidedly flipped the channel until heÆd landed on the Discovery Channel, which was showing a documentary about the migratory pattern of the native geese. Tex relaxed and moments later was in a deep sleep, and so were we.

Chapter 3

On Saturday morning at the Brookwell Archery Club, three familiar figures were having a whale of a time. They were Tex Poole, his son-in-law Chase Kingsley, and TexÆs brother-in-law Alec Lip. All three men were holding bow and arrow, but so far they hadnÆt exactly been successful in hitting their targets, which had been set up a little ways awayùat any rate too far away for them to hit them. Then again, they probably would have had a hard time hitting anything unless it was three feet away.

Archery is a demanding sport, after all, and only through diligent practice can one hope to get any good at it. And since the only reason Tex, Chase and Alec were members of the club was because the price of the lukewarm beer they served in the clubhouse was the best price in town, they didnÆt stand a chance of ever going to the Olympic Games.

Carlotta Brook herself was there, of course, and so was CarlottaÆs husband Dennis, who was in charge of the clubÆs financial side: collecting membership fees and such. And it was with exactly this important task in mind that he now set foot for Alec Lip and discreetly led the police chief away from the others.

ôI see you havenÆt paid your fees yet this month, Alec,ö Dennis said, lowering his voice when discussing this oh-so-delicate matter with the errant member in question. ôIf youÆre having trouble, we could maybe set up a payment plan? Easy weekly installments?ö

ôThat wonÆt be necessary,ö Alec grunted, looking a little annoyed. ôJust a minor oversight, thatÆs all.ö And when the other man stared at him, he added, with a touch of incredulity. ôSurely you donÆt want me to pay you now, Dennis?ö

ôIf you could. You can call me nitpicky, but I like everything to be just so.ö

ôOh, all right,ö said Alec, and took out his wallet to pay the man. He quickly glanced over, but both Tex and Chase had discreetly turned their heads the other way. No one likes to intervene in a close relativeÆs financial affairs. That way only trouble and strife lie.

Once Tex had settled up, he rejoined the others, and as they stood sipping from their lukewarm beers, and idly gazing at the target somewhere in the distance, they talked about this and that, happy for this chance to shoot the breeze and strengthen those all-important bonds of friendship.

ôSo book club last night, huh?ö said Chase. ôHow was it? Odelia wouldnÆt tell me.ö

ôPlenty of gossip, from what I understand,ö said Tex. ôEmma Kulhanek and Lynnette Say locked horns again, and Adra Elfman wanted to know how the others had all met their significant other. Marge was annoyed, I can tell you that much. She spends a lot of time preparing for these weekly meetings, and when all is said and done, nobody reads the book, nobody is interested in discussing the book, and the only thing she takes away from the meeting is the minutiae of everyoneÆs love life, which isnÆt exactly the point.ö

ôIÆll bet itÆs more interesting than the book itself,ö said Alec with a grin. ôWhy did Emma and Lynnette lock horns?ö

ôLynnette seems to think Emma is too dowdy for book club. She wants to raise book clubÆs profile, and Emma isnÆt a good fit. With Charlene she has the mayor, Marge is a doctorÆs wife, Odelia is a prominent reporter, Carlotta is an Olympian and plays an important role in the local community as a Rotary Club member, and of course runs the archery club, and then thereÆs Valina Fawn, whoÆs a major celebrity in her own right.ö

ôSo where does Adra Elfman fit in?ö asked Chase. ôSheÆs hardly a celebrity.ö

ôAdraÆs husband Gene was the long-time chairman of the Chamber of Commerce,ö said Alec. ôAnd heÆs still very well connected, even though heÆs now retired, of course.ö

ôBut isnÆt EmmaÆs husband something big with Valina FawnÆs site?ö asked Chase.

ôNorwell is a developer,ö said Tex. ôSo in LynnetteÆs eyes heÆs a computer geek.ö

ôHeÆs more than just a developer,ö said Alec. ôNorwell is ValinaÆs business partner.ö

ôAnd Emma is a teacher, which isnÆt the kind of person Lynnette wants to be seen associating with,ö said Tex, shrugging his shoulders.

ôIn other words, Lynnette Say is a big, fat snob,ö said Chase.

ôA snob with a lot of money, and since Marge is always on the lookout for people interested in donating to her libraryàö

Just then, ChaseÆs phone chimed, and he took it out. He frowned at the display. ôDid you guys see this? Looks like Valina Fawn has been hacked.ö