Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“Are Holden, Trick and Isaac coming back?” Jane asked.
“No,” Beau replied. “They’ll study the Garden’s security feed while the feds organize a warrant.”
Ugh. Did she hold the record for the most warrants issued in the shortest amount of time?
“Good plan. This is the perfect time to compare notes and figure out what I’m going to tell my kids,” Fiona said, her strain obvious. “If I’m telling them anything, that is. I don’t want my precious grandbabies thinking Nana FeeFee is a criminal. Oh! Where are my manners? Is anyone hungry? Why don’t I make us a light midnight snack?” She bolted to the kitchen the moment they got inside.
The precious woman puttered around, whipping up waffle BLTs and fried cheese stuffed Doritos. Jane joined Beau at the counter, perched atop a barstool, and watched. Fiona had been part of her life since, well, always. So much so, the grandmother seemed to be one with the décor. From the harvest gold appliances and dark wood paneling to Grandma Lily’s love of decoupaging with mushrooms.
“Tell us everything that happened and leave nothing out,” Jane said as Rolex jumped into her lap. She kissed his handsome face and scratched behind his adorable ears. He hissed at Beau.
In front of the stove, Fiona poured batter into a waffle iron. “I’m happy to start. Just as soon as Beau tells us where he was all night.”
The vet slinked in his seat, earning another hiss from Rolex. Plus a swipe of the claws.
Jane gave her baby another kiss and cooed her praise. “Such a good guard cat.”
For a split second, her friend looked ready to smile. And oh, wow, he was gorgeous when he almost smiled. And when he actually smiled. And even when he didn’t. He had tons of muscles, wavy blond hair, and green eyes. Although, those eyes tended to veer toward somber most times, the seriousness of his gaze reminding Jane of his past trials. Having returned from several tours of duty overseas, Beau dealt with his fair share of mental horrors. At least, she assumed. He hadn’t shared much.
“And you,” she told her friend, patting his hand. “Such a dapper gentleman.” He still wore the roaring twenties costume Jane selected for him. A glorious ensemble, complete with red and white striped jacket, a satin bow tie, and a braided straw boater hat with a red-ribboned band. Was it a little too tight? Yes. But that only made it better.
He wrinkled his nose at her. “The highlight of my day will be tearing off this eyesore.”
“Well, I never.” Jane’s back straightened with mock affront. “I’ll have you know that outfit was chosen with care. A way to help you stand out.”
“I look like I should be singing a four-part harmony in a barbershop quartet.”
Fiona smothered a laugh. Good. Considering the heaviness of the evening, a touch of levity was good for everyone.
“I’ll be honest with you.” He shrugged out of the jacket. “I’m not ready to discuss my whereabouts with you. I’ve spoken to Conrad, and one day soon, I’ll tell you too. Until then… Just know I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
Jane rolled her eyes. “We never thought you did anything wrong.” He was one of the most honorable guys she’d ever met. Someone who deserved the love and comfort of an equally honorable woman.
Twice she’d tried to set him up on dates with former classmates. The first had never returned her calls, and the other had died on her front porch last month. Perhaps Jane should start a new search? But dang it. Curiosity had never been her friend. What was Beau hiding? And did he not understand she could only handle one mystery at a time?
She opened her mouth to ask a follow up question, but he swiveled in his chair and focused on Fiona. “Weren’t you going to tell us what led to your discovery of the body?”
Jane took the bait, flowing with the change of subject. “And in the Valley of Dolls, no less.” Not the location of the fake murder. No, oh, no. That would be too easy. There were no cameras in the Valley. Not that she intended to remind her friends of the lack, considering she insisted on leaving the area as is.
Due to a shortage of funds, she’d refused Beau’s offer to add equipment out there, assuming a single plot of land could never become the stage for two different crimes. Had she shown the slightest interest in agreement, he would’ve spent his own money to do it. Again! That, she couldn’t allow. Or so she’d thought. Her inability to receive a gift from a dear friend had just come with a hefty price tag.
“You weren’t checking in, Beau, and the clock was ticking.” Fiona finished off a waffle and poured batter for the next. “I figured I should search for you before anyone guessed the location of your murder. I hadn’t realized how far I’d walked until I heard a man cursing. I creeped closer, thinking a guest had snuck over to dig up a grave, on the hunt for genuine gold. I’m sure everyone remembers when we dealt with that.”