Free Splintered Bones by Carolyn Haines

it.
    "Sarah Booth, it's
Virginia
. You need to come out to Swift Level right away."
    I barely knew Virginia Davis. "What's wrong?" I asked.
    "It's Lee's daughter. She's out here and she's in a real state. The girl is acting crazy."
    "I'm on the way."
    Since Virginia had called, I went to the main house instead of the barn. There was a gold Lexus in the driveway, and a green Mercedes. The only other vehicle in sight was a big black truck with dual rear tires, parked at the barn.
    I walked into a scene so thick with tension that I stopped. Kip was sitting in a chair, her face streaked with makeup and dirt. A handsome man in casual slacks and a white shirt sat on the sofa, chatting with
Virginia
.
    "Sarah Booth,"
Virginia
said, as soon as she saw me. "Thank goodness." She gave Kip a wary glance as she walked past her to take my hand.
    "What happened?" I addressed the question to
Virginia
.
    "Kip had a little tantrum," the man said. He stood up. "Mike Rich. Pleased to meet you, Miss Delaney. I've heard a bit about you from my wife."
    I'd heard his name, but I couldn't place it. My focus was on Kip.
    "What happened?" I asked her again.
    "I was looking for something." She kept her gaze on the floor.
    "She's torn up Mr. Lynch's apartment,"
Virginia
said with disapproval. "Her mother would be so disappointed in the behavior."
    Kip was on her feet. "Let her be disappointed! What about me? Does it matter that I'm disappointed? She lied to me. She lied to everyone. You can all just go to hell!" She ran out of the room. I heard the front door bang.
    "How did she get out here?" I asked.
    "I brought her." Mike Rich had remained standing. "I stopped by your home to discuss a business matter with you. You weren't home, so I mentioned that I was coming out here to look at Swift Level for the benefit concert." He paused for a moment, his gaze on
Virginia
. "Kip asked for a ride out here, and I obliged."
    Virginia
cleared her throat. "I've already told Mr. Rich that a concert is out of the question here. We're in the midst of preparations for the Chesterfield Hunt Ball on Saturday."
    That was a sticky wicket I didn't want to touch. My only concern was Kip. "Are you often in the habit of giving teenage girls a ride?" I asked. I was angry with Mike Rich. At the very least, his actions fell in the category of stupid.
    "Kip isn't exactly a stranger. I knew her father," he said with one eyebrow lifted. "I'm Krystal Brook's husband."
    Mike Rich, star-maker. Now I placed his name.
    "What are you going to do about that child?"
Virginia
asked. "She's been in trouble at school. I was hoping that psychiatrist would put her on medication. There are times I worry that she's a danger to herself or some . . . one . . . else." She let her sentence stumble to a halt. "Excuse me, I need to check on the carpenters. We're installing the scaffolding for the floral arrangements."
    Virginia
left the room, and I found myself alone with Mike. I could feel him watching me as I walked to a beautiful old piano. I touched the ivories, drawing out a few simple chords.
    "Krystal didn't tell me you were musically inclined," he said. "I thought your talent was sleuthing."
    "You said you were at Dahlia House to discuss a business proposition."
    "Yes, security for Krystal's benefit concert. Since you're in the private eye business, I thought you might be able to recommend some muscle. I'll need at least four trained men. One at the door, one backstage, and two in the crowd. I pay
Nashville
wage."
    "I'm afraid I don't know any reliable 'muscle,' " I said. It was an interesting term. "Why don't you check with the sheriff?"
    "He's agreed to attend the concert, of course. He's a friend of Lee's and also of my wife. But Sheriff Peters's staff is small, and he doesn't encourage moonlighting."
    I closed the piano. "I'm sorry, I can't help you." I had to find Kip. I'd given her a few moments to calm down, but I was going to have to talk to her.
    "I know you're not Kip's mother,