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)
Conrad remained in his seat, tempted to laugh. Hurricane Jane had struck again. She’d also given him an idea for the case. He reached for the phone to make a call…
CHAPTER NINE
A gruff demeanor can be super cute, if said gruffness comes with a side of smolder.
–A Gravekeeper’s Guide to Dating
An hour later, Conrad hadn’t fully recovered from his interaction with Jane. But recover he must, considering Ms. Randall had scheduled an impromptu Sunday briefing.
Notebook in hand, he knocked on her office door.
“Come in,” she called, tossing her glasses aside as he entered. “Was the subpoena for the personal electronics of Hotchkins’s coworkers approved?”
“Not yet.” He sat in one of two extremely uncomfortable armchairs in front of a desk covered with files, reports, and photos of at least ten different cases. How she kept track of anything with so much chaos, he’d never know. And there was no way she hadn’t chosen these punishing chairs on purpose. The message was clear: say what needs saying and get out.
“I’ll do what I can to speed the paperwork along.” She leaned back in a softly cushioned and ergonomic chair, all but taunting him. “Did the cemetery owner give us anything good at your meeting?”
“She did.” A smile. Internal laughter. An unforgettable farewell. And yes, the idea. “She mentioned longtime citizens of Aurelian Hills know there’s no gold buried in the cemetery, which made me think someone new to town might believe the rumors are current and accurate.”
“Anyone fit the bill?” Ms. Randall wrinkled her brow.
“The physician assistant, Caroline Whittington, has only lived there a year.” A fact that showed up in the preliminary background check performed on every person of interest. “Before that, she spent time in California and Colorado.” For schooling, yes, but also for gold? Both states experienced their own gold rush. “On the other hand, Whittington gave us the planner, and she isn’t the one who visited the local library to check out books about the town’s gold rush. That would be Emma Miller and Abigail Waynes-Kirkland.” Jane mentioned each name in the beginning. Mrs. Miller had denied any knowledge of Hotchkins’s treasure hunt. But what would Waynes-Kirkland say? “They’re friends with the widow but also listed among the doctor’s long term mistresses.”
“People can forget a rumor is false if they’re hoping it’s true,” Ms. Randall muttered. Tapping the end of a pen against a folder on her desk, she gave a firm nod. “Go back. Speak with his coworkers again. Re-interview the widow. Set a meeting with Waynes-Kirkland. Someone knows something.”
“Agreed.”
She swiped her readers from the desk and plopped them on her nose. He’d been dismissed. Conrad stood and headed for his office. His phone rang as he crossed the door’s threshold. He withdrew the device from his pocket and checked the screen.
Grinning, he eased into his chair and answered. “Calling to make sure I’m doing those deep breathing exercises, Jane?”
“A woman broke into my house while I was gone,” she burst out in a panic. “She had a key, Conrad. My brave Rolex chased her out the door, but now he’s missing. Fiona is searching the property, and I’m headed to the old office but if I can’t find him I’m going to burn the world down and dance in the flames.”
Her panic proved contagious, ripping his calm to shreds. He couldn’t think past the break in. “Jane! Focus on me.” Had the killer come back to destroy evidence left behind? Or eliminate the gravekeeper who might know more than she realized? “Are you hurt?”
“Are you kidding? I’m dying, Conrad. My baby is missing.”
His chest squeezed. “I meant physically, sweetheart. How are you physically? Are you bleeding?”
“Yes! I’m bleeding internally. My heart is torn into a thousand pieces, and it’s more than I can bear.”
The squeezing worsened. “We’ll figure this out, I swear,” he said, grabbing his keys and jetting into the hall. He accidentally bumped into someone but kept going. “I promise I’ll stop at nothing to find your baby. But I do need you to stop what you’re doing right now and listen to me. I’m on my way to you, but I’m an hour—half an hour out.” The sedan had police lights. “Return to your house, bar the door, and dial Beau’s number on the landline. He’s nearby, and he can reach you faster. Do you understand? Keep me on the cell and tell me every time you complete one of your tasks.”
“Oh my gosh! Yes! You’re right.” A measure of composure entered her voice. “Beau is close, so he can help the search. Thank you, Conrad. Bye.” Click.
No she did not. He ground his molars. What he didn’t do? Call her back. He reached the parking garage and climbed into his sedan. Lights flashing red and blue, he sped onto the street. He was flying down the highway when Jane’s second call came in.