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)
What a kind, caring response. Too caring? Jane hoped not because, well, she was maybe digging having a new friend at her side. Sharing ideas. Brainstorming. Tag teaming suspects.
“I’m more intrigued by Mr. Hagger’s involvement,” Lucy admitted.
Ding, ding, ding. “I’m wondering about that myself. Problem is, I’ve already questioned him. Before I take another go at him, I’ve got to gather more intel. How would you like to help me question party guests?”
“Seriously?” Lucy nodded with great enthusiasm. “I would love it.”
“Excellent.” First stop, the Treasure Room. She’d never spoken with the owner, Hannah.
They made their way over. Hannah occupied the charmingly cluttered space, which smelled of cranberries and vanilla. She held a tray of samples that featured her latest seasonal tea—Autumn Delights.
“Try one,” she said.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Jane accepted a paper cup. The warm brew tasted of nutmeg and cinnamon and instantly made her love fall.
“This is incredible,” Lucy exclaimed.
Okay, enough pleasantries. “I popped by to say thank you for participating in my murder mystery game…and also sorry for what happened in the midst of it.” Excellent, truthful excuse and a perfect transition to the business at hand rolled into one.
“Uh-huh. Likely story.” Hannah shifted from one foot to the other as she nervously smoothed a lock of graying hair into her messy bun. “I know your reputation, young lady. You’re investigating Tony’s death, aren’t you?”
No reason to deny it. And no reason to delay the questioning. “Did you happen to overhear a fight between Tony and Mr. Hagger that night?”
“Oh, thank goodness.” The shop owner pressed a hand over her heart. “You don’t think it’s me. Or do you?” Relief gave way to panic. “Because you shouldn’t. I didn’t do it.”
Or did she? Jane offered her a bland expression that made no promises.
The tea making expert scowled but said, “I never saw the two men together. I only spotted Tony once, when he was glaring down at his phone.” She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “I’ve heard the ex is always the first suspect in cases like these. Have you considered Emma Miller?”
Had Jane considered Emma? Ha! As if she were some kind of amateur. “Do you recall seeing anything unusual at the party?” she asked, ignoring the other woman’s question.
“Other than Denise Allen flirting with Tony early in the evening? No.”
Ohhhh. Flirting, huh? “Please call me at Garden of Memories if you remember anything else.”
Jane dragged Lucy to the Gilded Scissor where Denise Allen worked. Denise had done face-painting for the kids and handed out twenty percent off coupons to redeem at her shop. At the moment, she was busy giving Maureen Gilmore a trim.
Both women paled as Jane and her companion neared.
“I didn’t kill Tony, okay?” Denise rushed out. “He told me I looked cute, and I thanked him. If you’re looking for someone to blame, try every bar owner in town. I hear he owed them all a fat stack. I’m pretty sure the love of money is the root of every murder.”
Jane jotted the bar theory in her notebook. Though she didn’t think it needed further investigation. A dead Tony couldn’t repay his bill. “Did you spy Tony and Devin Hagger together? Or overhear an argument they had?”
“Not me,” Denise said, relaxing a bit. Her companion shook her head in denial, causing the stylist to cut more than she’d intended. She closed her eyes for a moment, as if praying for patience. “Not to change the subject or anything, but have you been trimming your own bangs again, Jane?”
Uh… She winced. The reason she’d begun wearing hats to begin with, so many years ago. She tugged the brim of her current headpiece lower. “I, well–”
“Maybe the person you should be investigating is yourself,” sneered a familiar voice.
Jane whipped her attention to the speaker. Tall, dark-haired Robby Waynes held a cardboard drink carrier filled with four paper coffee cups tagged with the name Gold Rush Museum. His current place of employment.
The museum delivered coffee now? Good to know. But ugh. Running into the man she’d suspected of killing the previous murder victim? Not exactly her favorite cup of tea. Though, granted, the same could be said for basically anyone in town.
He smirked at her. “Rumor has it you’re the one who killed Tony.”
Jane made a scoffing sound.
Lucy scoffed right along with her. “That’s a ridiculous statement. What reason would Jane possibly have for harming Anthony Miller?”
Robby hiked his shoulders and deposited the cardboard carrier near the cash register. “According to Ashley Katz, there are tons of reasons. For starters, Cemetery Girl didn’t like the way he handled her legal case. And he wasn’t exactly quiet about the bill she contested. What about building up the drama at that stupid mystery party and things got out of hand?”
Stupid? As Jane’s mouth opened and closed, he radiated glee, thinking he’d hit some kind of target inside her heart. Then he pivoted on his heel and left. The bell over the door tinkled, but it didn’t drown out his soft laughter.