Questions

Ryan and I were supposed to have our second official date tonight, but I haven't heard a word from him since he dropped me off this morning. Austin was surprised at the news when he came strolling into the kitchen after Mrs. Hemming left and said his expertise may not be required in a murder investigation. He said he probably wouldn't be called in until there is a prime suspect and that's only if the police need help with surveillance or hacking, which probably won't be needed in a small-town murder with only one victim.

I rolled my eyes as he sat down at our dining room table to console a distraught Margot, knowing she despised Poppy. She sobbed into my brother's chest after "reminiscing" about all of the good times and I got up and left when she said Poppy was like a sister to her. I couldn't believe she was trying to connect herself to Poppy when she so openly hated her for years.

I sit exhausted in my room around eight o'clock after calling both Annabeth and Gus to tell them the news. They were going on a date tonight but said they'd come to discuss things further when they visit me at the winery tomorrow night. I toss my phone to the end of the bed and I'm startled by a booming knock echoing around the house coming from the front door. I scoot myself off my bed and peer from the hallway to watch Austin answer the front door.

Detective Mason Connor comes striding into the foyer and I watch as he shakes hands with Austin. I scurry over to the banister when I hear the Detective ask to speak with my mother. Austin leads the detective through the hallway that leads to the kitchen and I immediately dash downstairs. I tiptoe across the foyer and slide down the hall with my back against the wall. I can see Celia making Mason coffee but he's speaking to my mother by the back door, which is blocked by the wall. I press myself further against the hallway wall and lean in to hear their conversation.

"Yes Detective, we do own a golf cart but we store it out back in our shed," I hear her say and then Mason replies, "We think we may have found your golf cart down by the tree line that sits at the bottom of the seventh hole."

"Heavens, I have no idea how it got there," Momma replies in a tone I know all too well. She knows exactly how it got there because she knows her daughter used to steal that cart and drive it on down to the golf course all the time in high school.

"Well Mrs. Sweeney, we are having it dusted for fingerprints and we may have to keep it in evidence. Do you know if anyone could have stolen the golf cart off your property last night?" He asks her and I know I need to make myself known. They can't think the murderer used our golf cart because the only prints they'll find are mine and Ryan's.

I push myself off the wall and stride into the kitchen where I find Austin, Momma and the detective now seated at the kitchen table. I don't see or hear Margot so she must have left already to go do her fake sobbing elsewhere.

Momma snaps her head over to me when she sees me and I wave to the detective. I drop into a seat next to Austin and look over to Mason, who has his notebook perched in his hand in front of him.

"Sorry to interrupt Detective Connor, but I can explain how the golf cart ended up in the tree line by the course," I start to explain and he nods for me to continue, "I told you Ryan and I were on the course to watch the sunrise, well...we got to the course by use of that cart."

He nods as he jots down notes and his furrowed brow increases the deep wrinkles lining his forehead. Momma's lips are in a tight line and she glares at me as we sit at the table in silence. Finally, Mason looks to me and asks, "Why did you fail to mention that to me this morning Ms. Sweeney? I saw you and Agent Hart drive off in what appeared to be a white four-door car after you gave your statement."

Momma snaps her harsh glare over to me and says, "Tell me you did not leave my car sitting overnight at the country club, Sawyer. You told me you and Ryan left this morning after he was called in about Poppy." She's not going to get angry in front of Mason but her level, controlled tone tells me she is furious.

Austin holds his hand up as he says, "Mama, you can deal with Sawyer and your car later. This is hardly the time."

Mason looks to him and objects.

"Actually, that directly goes against Sawyer's statement she made this morning," he flits his eyes to me and asks, "So which one is true?"

I exhale loudly and look to my mother.

"I forgot to pick up your car after my meeting yesterday so when Ryan and I left to watch the sunrise, I figured I would pick it up then. We found Poppy and I was such in a rush to get out of there I forgot all about the golf cart and we drove your car home."

Momma clicks her tongue in annoyance and Mason nods to me, "You're going to need to continue to have your story straight Sawyer if you don't want problems later on."

"And what problems may my daughter have later on?" Momma asks with a bite. Mason slumps back against the wooden chair.

"Sawyer and Agent Hart are the only two people to have been involved in this case so far. When we catch our killer, we are going to need airtight alibis and unquestionable time frames. Your daughter will most likely have to testify about what she stumbled upon in the wee hours of the morning."

He pushes himself off the chair and snaps his tiny notebook shut before stuffing it into his shirt pocket. Austin follows behind him to let him out but before they trot down the hallway, Mason looks back to me.

"I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon Sawyer."

I look to him in confusion but I don't say anything else. When he's out of earshot, Momma snaps her frantic gaze to me and asks, "Is there any reason at all that could make the detective suspicious of you, Sawyer?"

I shake my head.

"No, I'm just the one that found her. It's just unfortunate that I stumbled upon her because we were trespassing."

"Sawyer Mae, I am tellin' you right now you better stay far away from this," she warns while pointing her finger directly at me. "Hollis has forgotten all about your scandal and you are finally startin' to find your place in society. Do not screw this up!"

She pushes away from the table before I can respond. She glides down the hallway enraged and I watch as her long navy cardigan flows behind her like a cape as she whips around the corner.

Austin comes strolling back down the hall and he leans against the hallway wall when he sees me. He folds his arms across his chest as he asks, "There is no reason you'd want Poppy dead is there?"

Shocked, I look to him and slap my hands on the table as I say, "No! Why would anyone think I am capable of murder?"

He shakes his head.

"I dunno. But that detective seems suspicious of you for some reason."

"Well, it's a good thing Ryan is on the case so he can steer them elsewhere. It's ludicrous to think I would ever hurt anyone," I snap as Austin pushes away from the wall. He stuffs his hands in his khaki pockets as he says, "Not that ludicrous, Sawyer. It was only a few months ago that you punched a pregnant Whitney Carmichael in the face in a very public setting."

"She slept with my fiancé!" I shoot back and Austin strolls over to me and kneels in front of my chair.

"And Poppy was currently sleeping with Jackson. People could think it was a jealous brawl that went sour."

"I have no reason for being jealous of Poppy. I am with Ryan and everyone knows that," I say more calmly.

Austin nods.

"Yes, you have been with Ryan for a couple of months but the town has only seen y'all together for a couple weeks. All I'm saying is that if word gets out that you were there when she was found, and your golf cart was hiding in the woods...people are going to draw conclusions. This is a small town, Sawyer. You know how gossip and judgment spread."

"I'm tired of defending myself to this town. I'm attending Historical Society meetings for heaven's sakes! I'm trying to save face from my engagement from hell so why would I do something that is going to make people talk again?" I cry out in frustration. Life used to be so much easier when I was hiding out in my room, drinking wine and ignoring all of Hollis. Getting back into my old social circles may have been the worst thing for me.

Austin places a gentle hand on my knee.

"Ryan will do everything he can to solve this. The Hollis police are lucky to have him around."

I look into his vibrant blue eyes and ask, "Can you poke around? Stay close to everything too. Ryan hides stuff if he thinks I can't handle it."

Austin shrugs.

"I'll do what I can. But in the meantime, don't talk to anyone about this and do not have any outbursts if someone says something. No one needs to think you are hot-headed."

"I shouldn't have any reason to defend myself because there isn't a reason in the world I would want Poppy dead," I say while I lock eyes with him. He sighs as he stands.

"Well, let's hope no one finds a reason either."