Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Did Conrad make her nervous? Why did the idea intrigue him? “I’m Special Agent Ryan. I have a few questions for you.”
She mouthed his name, as if searing it in her memory bank. “So, um, nice to meet you. I mean, not nice, since someone died and all. But, um, yes. Also nice. Because you’re a great person. Or I’m guessing you’re great. I don’t really know you. You might kick puppies in your spare time.”
She cannot be real. His head tilted to the side, and he deepened his study of her. Only gets prettier. “You mentioned being the one to find the victim.”
“Mmm hmm. I was making my morning rounds, planning my chores for the day, when I came across a disturbed plot.” She motioned toward a cobblestone path. “Sheriff Moore is there now. Why don’t I answer your questions along the way?” Not waiting for his response, she scurried off.
He slid a pointed what-just-happened glance to Barrow, whose serious demeanor finally broke. As the other man chuckled, Conrad started forward. He quickly caught up with Miss Ladling. The other agent followed but hung back, remaining a few steps behind.
Let the investigation begin.
CHAPTER TWO
Always smell amazing. If you exude the fragrance of dry cedar and rich spices, even better. You’ll make a certain someone forget every thought in her head.
–A Gravekeeper’s Guide to Dating
“You mentioned you own the cemetery.” Conrad maintained a leisurely pace beside the enchanting Jane Ladling, cataloging the immense sprawl of land knitted together by those winding cobblestone walkways.
Wax myrtles stood in straight lines, delineating different sections. Stone benches dotted soft rolling hills. The place was more than paradise. It was heaven on earth.
“I did and I do, yes.” Pride flashed over Miss Ladling’s lovely face. With her hands clasped behind her back, she seemed to glide over the cobblestones. “An honor passed down from generation to generation. Well, until me. I’m the last of the Aurelian Hills Ladlings. Upon my dramatic but lonely demise, our reign over the afterlife will end.”
The sheer earnestness of her expression invited him to agree with such an unshakable truth, and it was ridiculously charming.
Charming now? On top of enchanting? He pursed his lips. “Lonely demise? You plan to die alone?”
Her fingers fluttered to the base of her throat in a graceful ballet of movement. “I do indeed. I’m never falling in love, getting married or having children.”
A thousand questions filled his head. No love, wedding, or kids…but was she single?
Focus on the dead body, not the brunette. “Good to know. Has anything unusual happened on the grounds recently?”
“No. And I would have noticed. Rolex and I roam the Garden twice a day, every day.”
Doing what, exactly, since she didn’t accept new residents? “No one you’ve come into contact with acted out of character?” Up ahead, a squirrel jumped from tree limb to tree limb.
“Nope. The guests were as calm and quiet as usual.” Just as earnest as before, she told him, “Hardly anyone complained about anything.”
He folded his lips under his teeth to silence a snort. “Have any visitors acted out of character?”
“Oh. Well. I’m not sure about them, to be honest. Years ago, I instituted a company policy. No interacting with strangers unless you want to, and I rarely want to. I value the truth, you see, and people lie far too often. The dead have nothing to give but honesty.”
That, he agreed with. “When we’re done at the site, I’d like a copy of your security feed.” He intended to watch the footage himself. Every second of it. Probably in slow motion.
She cringed. “Yes. About that. I absolutely one hundred percent will give you all the security feed I have. Which are my handwritten notes. A to-do list, really. I wrote it as I made my rounds.”
You’ve got to be kidding me. “You have no cameras?” He caught sight of someone near a mound of fresh dirt. An older fellow in uniform with a bald head and a full silver beard. The sheriff. Currently, he stared at the hole in the ground while wiping sweat from his brow.
They’d reached the crime scene already? A twinge of regret prodded Conrad. He should have walked slower.
“In my defense,” Miss Ladling said, “I live in a small town. I really only deal with trespassers in October, so there’s not a reason to pay for…”
Her words trailed off as he swooped around, becoming an obstacle in her path. He planned to castigate her for the lack of protection. But was it really his place? Better to excuse her now.
He removed his sunglasses. A move he usually executed to let someone know he meant business. This time, however, he wanted nothing to filter his vision of this woman. Because…just because.
Big mistake. Huge. The sunlight paid her absolute tribute.
When her lips parted with a sudden hitch of breath, he figured he’d intimidated her and sighed. He donned his most practiced smile, hoping to put her at ease and dampen his intensity. “Thank you for the escort. I need to examine the site without you. Please return to the house with Special Agent Barrow.”