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)
So. She clearly remembered Holden.
“If—if you’ll excuse me.” The loan officer darted around him, scanning the area. “Jane!” A gasp parted her lips, and she rushed over, radiating genuine concern. “What happened? Are you all right?”
Conrad stood, offering his seat to the loan officer. “I won’t be far,” he said as Lucy sank onto the coffee table and dropped her purse at her feet.
Jane explained the situation, leaving out the part about the tampered exhaust system. No reason to worry her…friend. Yes, the term just felt right. After almost dying, things were clearer than ever.
Deciding to be forthright, she asked the loan officer the question. “Why didn’t you tell me you and Holden smacked into each other at the party?”
Cheeks flushing, Lucy leaned forward and whispered, “I’ve been trying to forget that part of the night. I didn’t want to relive it. Seriously, Jane, it was one of the most humiliating moments of my life.”
“How so?” She had to know. For the case.
“He didn’t tell you?” Lucy’s eyes went wide, and her volume dipped even lower. “I mean, you’re friends with him. Or so I assume, since he’s here and everything.”
“We are friends, yes. But you didn’t answer my question.”
The other woman’s flush deepened. “When I heard the scream, I thought someone had won the contest, so I headed back to my booth to pack up. I didn’t get very far before Muscles plowed into me. I fell. He paused long enough to help me up and ask if I was okay. I…well, I kind of…kissed him. After Tony brought up Oliver, I’d started feeling sorry for myself, I guess, thinking I’d never find the right guy. But Muscles wrenched free and started running away from me, as if I repulsed him.”
Ohhh. Okay, yes. Jane might not want to share that sort of story with others, either.
Lucy’s nose wrinkled. “Wait. Did you think I might have killed Tony?”
Jane refused to lie. “I did. But only off and on, I promise! And now I’m certain you’re innocent.”
“I—I see,” Lucy said, her chin trembling. “So you only pretended to be my friend to get information out of me?” She winced and stood. “Wow. More humiliation here at the Garden. Exactly what I didn’t want tonight. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna go.”
“Please don’t. Stay,” she rushed out, guilt churning in her stomach. She’d made her new friend feel terrible, and oh, what an awful seed to plant. “It was nothing personal, I promise. I suspect everyone of murder.”
“Jane, everything is personal, whether you want it to be or not.” Lucy crossed her arms against her middle, vulnerable and wounded. “Have you ever suspected anyone else in this room of such a horrid crime?”
Jane licked suddenly dry lips. “Well. No. But—”
“Yeah, I’m definitely going.” A humorless laugh filled the space between them. “I’m taking Cartier with me.”
“Lucy.” Jane attempted to rise, only to fall back against the pillows with a pained moan. Stupid pills. Why hadn’t they kicked in yet? “I’m sorry,” she called. But Lucy was already in possession of her pet, striding out the door.
As Holden tore off after her, remorse and sadness warred within Jane. She recognized a good thing when it severed her from its life. Rolex recognized it, too, and released a plaintive, pitiful meow.
“Jane, you can’t be friends with Lucy,” Trick announced.
Isaac nodded with enthusiasm. “There’s a hundred percent chance she’s the murderer. I’d put money on it.”
What? “No!”
“Holden only goes for bad girls,” Beau explained with a shrug.
“Well, so does Conrad. Obviously. His girlfriend has gone to jail,” Jane said, and snickers erupted all around, as if she’d made some sort of joke. “Besides, there’s a first time for everything. Lucy is wonderful.” And I lost her. Destroyed the friendship before it even had a chance to fully bloom.
Maybe it was the high-octane emotions of the day, but Jane did something odd. She burst into tears.
“All right,” Conrad thundered at her audience. “Everyone out.”
Jane only cried harder. “I don’t know why I’m doing this.” She pressed the heel of her hands to her eyes. “It’s embarrassing.”
Fiona rushed to her side to pat her cheek. “It most certainly is not embarrassing, hon. Those tears are little drops of love seeping from cracks in your heart. But there’s no reason for them today. You’ll win her back. You can do anything. Now, I’m gonna go, so Conrad can comfort you properly. I left a big stack of blueberry pancakes in the kitchen, but you aren’t allowed to eat them until you’ve laughed at least twice. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good girl.” Footsteps. Hinges squeaking. The soft snick of the door closing for good. Then Conrad and Jane were alone. He did as threatened and carefully maneuvered onto the couch, taking her in his arms and helping her burrow into his warmth. Beneath her ear, his heart raced.