Free Had a Great Fall (An Olivia Thompson Mystery) by Jullian Scott Page A

ago. Why did you wait so long to start dating?” Taylor didn’t hesitate at all as she dug into their personal business.
    “Nate was too busy dating other girls,” Olivia said coyly.
    Nate cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. “We both were busy dating other people.”
    “Sure. If you say so.” Olivia had thought she was just kidding, but she also detected a truthfulness in her tone that surprised her. “Anyway, the past doesn’t matter. All that matters is now.”
    She took Nate’s hand under the table and thread their fingers together. His thumb softly caressed the back of her hand.
    “Aw.” Taylor’s eyes grew dreamy. “That’s so sweet. The two of you are such an adorable couple.”
    “So I hear you’re a detective,” Brian said, not nearly as charmed as his wife. “That’s a dangerous line of work.”
    “It can be,” Nate said tentatively.
    “My dad said you were looking into Rosie’s case.” Brian stared hard at Nate. “Doesn’t Chicago have enough grisly murder cases?”
    Taylor flinched and looked at the kids. “Hey, Teddy, why don’t you take Em into the other room and turn on that movie we were watching earlier?”
    “Okay!” Teddy jumped out of his chair in an instant. It took Emma a little extra encouragement, but she soon followed her brother into the other room.
    “Bry, I asked Nate to look into Rosie’s murder. He’s doing it for me.” Olivia hadn’t even thought to check with Brian. He had been so young when it happened, and he had never talked about it growing up. “Nate is a good detective.”
    “That’s not the point, Livvy.” Brian’s dark eyes narrowed. “We’ve finally moved on as a family, but you refuse to let it go.”
    Olivia said, “Rosie was our sister, Brian. I don’t understand how you can let it go so easily. Her murderer was never found.”
    “I barely even remember Rosie,” he said coldly. “It’s been fifteen years. She’s been dead for almost twice as long as the amount of time I actually knew her.”
    “She loved you so much,” Olivia said, overcome by a wave of sadness. Rosie’s heart would be broken if she knew how Brian felt. “She used to read to you every night before tucking you into bed.”
    Brian stared at her blankly. “I only remember her fighting with Mom and Dad. I only remember seeing her picture on the news every night. I only know that she’s the reason Mom left us.”
    “Brian!’ Taylor gasped.
    “Mom left because she wasn’t strong enough to stay. It’s that simple.” While Olivia had kept a distance from her mother over the years, Brian had constantly tried to reunite their family. He visited her on every holiday and invited her to the kids’ birthday parties. As far as Olivia knew, Jill had never taken him up on his invites.
    “Maybe we should talk about something else,” Taylor said quickly. “How are your classes this semester, Liv?”
    Olivia felt numb. She barely even heard her sister-in-law’s words. “I’m exhausted. Thanks for the meal, Taylor, but I think we should head home. I could really use some sleep.”
    “Of course.” Taylor smiled awkwardly. “I’m sure you’ve barely closed your eyes the last couple of days. Do you want to take some desert with you? I baked two pies.”
    Olivia was about to turn down the offer when she noticed the hopeful look in Nate’s eyes. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
    After saying goodbye to the kids, Olivia left with a pie in hand. Taylor had insisted they take home a whole pie.
    “I like her,” Nate said, eyeing the pie as it sat in Olivia’s lap.
    “Oh good,” Olivia grumbled. She wasn’t in the mood for Nate’s usual banter.
    Nate detected her sour mood immediately and wisely kept his mouth shut until they arrived at Ed’s house.
    “You should forgive your brother,” he said as Olivia unlocked the front door. “I’m sure he just doesn’t like to think about what happened to Rosie.”
    “Brian doesn’t like to think about