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blood, just brought everything back from last year. Just when I’ve finally moved into Worth’s house …”
    â€œYou’ll be fine there. Remember the police station is just a block down Main Street. You can call anytime if you’re nervous.”
    â€œThanks. And I’m sorry about jumping all over you. It just threw me—what Steven said, which isn’t true, and then you asking me about where I was and when.”
    â€œI understand. Is this going to delay things?” The sudden change in topic brought a blank look to Julie’s face. “Mrs. Swanson’s death,” he said. “I mean, can you still go ahead with your new building?”
    â€œOh, I guess we’ll be delayed—that depends on how long before the digging can start.”
    â€œWhich is up to the staties. Depends on how long they need to cover the crime scene. But I meant about the project itself.”
    Julie went blank again.
    â€œSorry,” the chief said. “I don’t mean to be talking in riddles. Everyone knows Mrs. Swanson was the sponsor of the project, or at least the biggest donor since it’s going to be named for her husband. I was just wondering if her death affects that.”
    â€œI’d assume Mary Ellen’s pledge would be paid by her estate.”
    â€œThat’s good then. And I guess it means no one killed her to keep her from giving away the money. Well, I need to go.”
    What a strange idea, Julie said to herself after Mike left. Why would he even think someone would kill Mary Ellen to keep her from giving money to the Ryland Historical Society?
    Mrs. Detweiller came in with a phone message. Howard Townsend had called an emergency meeting with the trustees for that evening.

C HAPTER 6
    Rich stopped by Julie’s office after helping usher arriving guests away from the site.
    â€œAre you going to be tied up all day here?” he asked.
    â€œHoward just called a special board meeting for six tonight, so I have to be there. And, I guess I should call the contractor and let him know what happened, and that they can’t start work until the police say they can. But other than that, it’s hard to know what to focus on. I’ll try to stop home before the meeting.”
    Julie was happy Dyer Construction’s phone was answered by a real person, and even happier when that person put her through immediately to Luke Dyer. “I know all about it,” he interrupted as Julie started to explain the situation. “Word travels fast. Talked to Barlow. Terrible shame about Mrs. Swanson. I liked her. Known the family for a long time,” he continued. “My dad and her husband were friends—well, acquaintances, anyway. And she was pleasant enough to deal with about the land we’re buying off her for the condos. Sad. How long do you think it’ll be before we can get started?”
    Julie marveled at how quickly people seemed to dismiss the hours-old tragedy and move on from it, but she concentrated on the practical. “It’s up to the State Police,” she replied. “I’ll check with Chief Barlow and keep you informed.”
    â€œI guess that’s okay,” Dyer said, “but I’ve got the condos to get to, and I can’t let that backhoe sit around down there for too long. If you don’t get a go-ahead by the weekend, I may have to pull it for a few weeks. We only need a couple of days to dig your foundation. Just keep me informed, okay?”
    Dalton Scott, the architect and board member who chaired the trustees’ building committee, had been enthusiastic about lettingthe construction contract go to Luke Dyer, but Julie had never been totally convinced. She accepted Dalton’s opinion that Luke did good work, efficiently and at a reasonable price. She just didn’t warm to Luke. He always seemed in a rush and was rarely more than polite. But then she had never been responsible for