Grave Wars – A Jane Ladling Mystery Read Online Gena Showalter

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Suspense Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
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Oh, how she adored the men in her life.

Jane practically floated to Conrad’s SUV. She rode up front with him, regulating the military buddies to the back. The twenty-minute drive passed too quickly, but she used the time to dole out notecards to each of her companions.

“These are the questions you will ask Mr. Bennett,” she explained. “As you guys badger him for information, I’ll sneak in and extract tidbits of truth from his brain.”

Beau read aloud. “What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever witnessed a cat do? What kind of music feeds your soul?” His gaze flipped up, landing on her. “What, no asking about his favorite color?”

“Someone didn’t read the back of his card, I see,” she said, a patient teacher with a struggling student. “Obviously, these questions are designed to help us establish his true character. Do your best to introduce each subject organically.”

“This is my real punishment, isn’t it?” Beau deadpanned.

In lieu of an answer, she blew him a kiss.

Outside her window, twinkle lights flickered in the dormant trees that lining Main Street. An amber glow from streetlamps illuminated a busy sidewalk. People bustled on foot, to various shops and eateries their breath visible in the chilly air.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Aurelian Hills, the Gold Star Lounge dazzled. It didn’t open until seven in the evening and then only on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. No one knew why. Just as no one knew who owned the place. The website listed it as an LLC, promising refined entertainment and unforgettable memories.

They parked in the lot between a Porsche and a Jaguar and made their way to the door. With three muscular males surrounding her, she kinda felt like a movie star. The crisp air carried hints of burning wood and smoky cologne. Laughter and music teased her ears.

The aged brownstone set between two other brownstones, with stairs leading to the basement of Aurelian Hills’s original general store. A place rumored to be a speakeasy during prohibition years. Excitement raced through Jane as they descended the steps and entered another world...

Velvet drapes in rich emerald cascaded from the ceiling, framing different spaces in luxury. Everything from the framed artwork, mirrors and decorative molding were gilded in gold. Several opulent chandeliers bathed the space in gentle light, while plush chair cushions whispered an invitation to indulge.

Smooth jazz seduced in the background. More patrons filled the club than Jane had anticipated. A handful of couples slow danced on a parquet floor. Other people stood or sat in groups, sipping cocktails and conversing. A plethora of different notes and tones created a cornucopia of sound.

At the center of it all, Mayor Thacker held court. He exuded charm and a keen awareness of his own power. His silver-streaked hair added a touch of maturity to his captivating, if forced, personality. Beside him stood his wife, stiffly outfitted in a meticulously crafted burgundy silk dress. Jane began to understand Tiffany’s warning.

The First Lady of Aurelian Hills clearly disapproved of whatever the woman across from her was saying; her lips curved in a sneer. Now come on! Jane was a baby when it came to aiding a boyfriend running for office, but she knew better than to broadcast disapproval at constituents.

Beau gave her shoulder a nudge before he and Isaac split from their group. Anyone with a pulse glanced at the ex-soldiers at least once. A few onlookers outright stared at the double-your-trouble yum-yums while whispering and giggling behind their hands.

Placing a strong hand on her lower back, Conrad led her to a table near the bar. He nodded at the occupants, who nodded in return, stood and walked off, gifting the table to them.

She sputtered as she sat. “But why…how.”

“Beau isn’t the only one who can plan ahead.” Conrad grinned as he claimed the chair beside her. “Bennett is behind the bar.”

Her gaze zoomed to the area in question, and she almost squealed with excitement. She had the perfect view of a tall, dark and handsome young man mixing drinks, wearing a name tag that read Tom.

Ding, ding, ding. The suspect. “Don’t be mad if I completely ignore you,” she said, keeping her attention on her target.

Conrad chuckled. “This isn’t my first rodeo, sweetheart.”

Jane tried to reply, she really did, but too many thoughts crowded her mind. A creep, Tiff? Tom Cat smiled at anyone who ordered, cracked jokes with certain patrons and politely rebuffed any under thirty who hit on him, and flirted with the older gals, making them feel special, as evidenced by their tips. Was that an act? Did he play favorites to score one of those sugar mamas the widow mentioned? A long con sort of thing?

Or maybe Tiffany had misjudged him. Maybe he’d changed since the two last occupied the same space?

No, Tiff was right. His actions triggered Jane’s sixth sense–suspicion. Because yeah, everything he did, from the expressions he donned to the way he poured drinks, seemed practiced. But the most telling part? He didn’t bear a single pet hair on his clothing.



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