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Delilah was on her way toward theent Blake," Olivia said, rising to take her bill and put money on the counter "Delilah, thank you Delicious as usual"

"Bye, honey See you soon," Delilah said

The sun was bright now Special agent Dustin Blake was still at the counter in the diner behind her as Olivia walked to her car, wondering if she’d siain entry to her house

She drove the short distance to the Horse Far area in front of the office, she saw that Drew and Sydney had been up early, too; the horses were out in the pasture A quick count assured her they were all there Shebaan, an aging Tennessee Walker Trickster, often used in therapy sessions Beloved Battle-ax, an old Percheron entle as the Easter bunny Zeus, a Paint Carina, a gentle palomino Martin, an Arabian mix Chapparal, a one-time champion barrel-racer Pixie and Nixie, rescued antua, some kind of Clydesdale mix Marcus had owned forever Beryl, a sweet bay, and her own personal favorite, Shiloh

"Hey, guys Morning!" she called to the horses

She entered the office Drew and Sydney were there, talking with Aaron, who held one of the Horse Farm cats on his lap Sandra Cheever was seated on the arm of the sofa, and Mason Garlano stood by the , s hi?" Aaron asked, waving her in

"Just Mariah," Sandra announced "She gave lanced at Olivia "Liv, you’re looking a littletired You okay?"

"I’h Had soht"

Mason turned to her with a grin "Some kind of animal? Olivia, you practically live in the woods Or the country, anyway There are lots of aniet an alarm system installed"

"That’s never a bad idea," Aaron said

"Not really necessary around here, in my opinion," Sandra said She s youwell, the creeps!you should get an alarave Olivia his best sexy sirl in the woods You never knohen a ill show up"

"We don’t have any wolves around here," Aaron said

"Ah, well, they also corinned at Olivia She grinned back He’d tried to get so there She liked him--as a friend She knew that while he could be an effective therapist, he was also self-involved He knew it, too But his ego didn’t get in the way of his sense of humor, and they both saw the absurdity in many situations

"They definitely co her head "Mason, would you bring me some more coffee?"

"Sure Where’s the attorney?" Mason asked, walking over to the coffee service to oblige her "He’s late"

"I think that’s hiet your coffee and get settled"

The attorney ca Aaron introduced hi and out of place at the Horse Farm in a black business suit, white tailored shirt, striped tie and silver tiepin But he was friendly, sot dust or animal hair on his suit

Mariah followed hi her hair into a ponytail as she walked She slid next to Olivia on the sofa and rolled her eyes "Can you believe it? I overslept"

"We’re all here, so we’ll get started," Aaron said "Mr Fairchild, if you will? I have a feeling you’ll have to explain everything in layman’s ter will once and it confused the hell out of hed, a little nervously, Olivia thought, although there was no reason for anyone to be nervous Marcus’s will should hold no surprises

"Well, ladies and gentle and feel free to ask me questions"

Fairchild started to read, and Olivia’s al phrase It was h she’d never been to the "reading" of a will before She found herself looking around at all her coworkers, trying to grasp the fact that one of theht want to kill her

Aaron leaned against the counter, looking perplexed as he listened Drew Dicksen appeared to be deep in thought Sydney Roux dangled his key chain and stared out the ; from where he stood, he could see their horses in the field Ho Deputy Frank Vine had asked her about, was running after a bird

Mariah seeernail

Sandra Cheever was trying to look as if she was paying attention, but her eyes kept glazing over