Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 288(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 288(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Running the–well, not yet. No, no. Definitely not ever. She ignored the little flutter of excitement. Because she worked at the cemetery. And now authored stuff. Although Grandma Lily had always said the key to her happy marriage with Pops was doing everything together.
And dang it, Jane needed to ask Fiona to be her matron of honor. And yet still she hesitated. Why? There was nothing she would rather Fiona do. Right?
MommaSue: Jane!!!!!! You won a two hundred and fifty piece puzzle with a photo of you and Conrad!
It warmed Jane’s heart how much Conrad’s foster mother was enjoying the wedding planning.
MommaSue: It’s for the reception. You give each guest a piece and they’re invited to “Piece Together Love.” Isn’t that romantic?
Well. She teared up for a moment.
Jane: It is romantic indeed.
The elevator dinged, the door opening as her gaze flipped up. When she spotted the visitor, she jumped to her feet without thought.
“Christopher,” she said with a smile and a wave. “Hello.”
He did a double take upon his approach. “Jane. Hi.” Quickening his step, he returned her smile with one of his own. “I didn’t know you worked here.”
No reason to explain the situation. Even out of his uniform, he carried himself like a man ready to charge into any disaster as needed. His jeans and T-shirt looked great on him but had never really meshed with her hats and vintage lifestyle.
When he leaned over to offer her a hug, she jolted. Um, okay. Unsure what else to do, she hugged him back, and it was kind of awkward for both of them, but it was too late to backtrack. When they pulled apart, they both laughed it off.
“The lava cake was delicious.” He gave her a teasing glance. “Maybe the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
“Thank you.” She beamed at him as she sank into her seat. “Hey, since you’re here, I have a question. What’s Donnie Eggerson’s story?”
“Oh. Well. He moved here from Atlanta. Lives alone and loves video games. Doesn’t have a girlfriend, and I don’t think I have to explain why.”
Loved video games, did he? Hmm. If she had written Mr. Eggerson into her story, he would’ve been the perfect red herring. But even better than a red herring—making the supposed red herring the killer. Hello plot twist! “Was he with you at the grocery store?”
“No. He was off that day.”
Did he have an alibi for the time of the murder?
“Why?” her former flame asked with a frown. “Did he do something?”
“No, nothing like that.” She smiled her sweetest smile and changed the subject. “How can I help you?”
“I came to speak with Sheriff Ryan, actually. I remembered something I saw at the Treasure Room.”
Her cake had done its job! “He’ll want to hear every detail.” So did she. Jane picked up the landline and dialed into Conrad’s office, a perk she’d learned to do earlier. As soon as he answered, she rushed out, “You’ve got an important visitor, and we’re coming in. Okay. Bye.”
She hung up before he could respond, stood, and led Christopher through the door, which was already opened. Conrad looked Jane over before standing and turning his attention to Christopher. The pair shook hands. Jane noticed not even a speck of jealousy sprang between them, which wasn’t irritating. Nope. Not the least bit. Everyone took a seat.
Forearms resting on his desk, Conrad joined his fingers. “How may I help you, Mr. Wellington?”
“It’s probably nothing, but here goes. I was the first to enter the Treasure Room, with another fireman, Brent Lancaster. Jeb Hathaway, who was with us, went through the front. Or tried to. It was locked, so we let him in once we came through the back.”
“The front door was locked?” Jane interjected. Again? “You’re sure.”
“Very.”
But. When she herself had stepped inside the building, it was unlocked. Even though Ashley Katz had specifically stated Hannah had escorted the reporter to the door and locked up behind her. Jane should have never been able to get in. But then there was Lucy. The wild card in all this. Lucy had run out of the secret room. Had the former bank officer gone through the front or back? If the front, she wouldn’t have had time to lock it behind her. If the back, why lock the front while being chased?
And again, why hadn’t Lucy called Jane with the killer’s details? Why arrange a secret alley meetup when she feared for her life? Was she hiding something? Or playing a game?
Abigail had mentioned spotting someone matching Lucy’s description leaving the shop. Had the socialite truly seen her or lied, hoping to cast blame? Lucy would be the perfect fall guy. A known criminal in Aurelian Hills that no one had spotted in months. Except, Abigail didn’t know Lucy was in town. Or did she? Could the two be working together?