Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” I moved slowly out of the office and down the hallway, exiting into a pretty, sunny day.
The snow had stopped falling, and the clouds had finally parted, letting the world light up a little. Another storm would be arriving soon, so I enjoyed the sun while I could as I limped the couple of blocks to Smiley’s Diner and walked inside to order the lattes and food.
My gaze caught on the Wilson brothers having breakfast in a far booth. I ordered and looked around but didn’t see my sister. She might be working at her other restaurant over the hill today.
Taking a chance, I walked back and smiled at the brothers. “Hi there. I’m Anna Albertini.”
“Albertini?” Wayne asked. His blue golf shirt and tan slacks made him look just like an architect. “From the valley?”
“Yes.”
Spencer slid over, dressed down a bit today in slick black slacks and a pink button-down shirt sans tie. His red hair gleamed beneath the diner lights. “Would you like to sit?”
“Thanks, I would.” I sat instantly, relieving my aching knee. “Before I say anything else, I should probably tell you that I’m representing Nick Basanelli.”
“You’re a lawyer?” Wayne asked, looking me over.
“Yep. Us girls can be lawyers these days.”
He snorted. “That’s not what I meant. You just, I don’t know, you don’t look like a lawyer.”
“Thank you,” I said smoothly. “First, I really want to tell you how sorry...” My gaze caught on the newspaper by his right elbow, and I stopped talking.
He looked down. “What?”
I pulled it across the table to see a picture of me on the front page at the Rustic Relic covered in paint, goo, and spices.
“Oh, man,” I muttered.
Spencer leaned over my shoulder. “That’s you?”
“That’s me,” I affirmed.
“What in the world happened?” Wayne asked.
I scanned the article quickly. Jolene had gotten most of it right. “She doesn’t like me,” I said.
“No shit.” Wayne straightened. “Ooh, sorry.”
Spencer calmly interjected. “We’re sorry about your difficulties, Miss Albertini, but we don’t think we can help you. We believe Nick Basanelli killed his father.” Spencer was definitely the smoother of the two.
Wayne coughed. “But you can still join us for breakfast.”
“She really can’t,” Spencer said.
I ignored the lawyer and stared at Wayne. The guy looked even sadder today than he had the day before. He sat hunched over, not aging well. I kind of felt sorry for him. “I know you think Nick killed them, but I really don’t. Can you think of anybody else who might have wanted to cause harm to either of them?”
Tears gathered in Wayne’s eyes. “I really can’t. Everybody loved Imogen. She was an absolute sweetheart. She was so excited when she got the job at the mine, and I was, too, because I thought we’d see each other more. I didn’t think she’d end up cheating on me with stupid Richard Basanelli.”
Spencer sighed heavily next to me. “Stop making him relive that terrible time.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, meaning it. It was obvious he really had loved her. “Rumor has it Richard Basanelli was dating several women. Do you know any of them?”
Wayne tapped the crumpled newspaper. “Just that Lisa. I’m sure there were others, but I have no idea who. Sorry. I really would like to help you.”
“Thanks.” I paused at seeing my order waiting on the counter. “Again, I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Wayne said. He cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose you’d like to grab dinner while we’re in town?”
I blinked. Twice. Was he asking me out?
He blushed. “I’m trying to move on, and you’re very pretty. You’re too young for me, but I thought dinner would be nice.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I’m dating somebody.”
Wayne glanced at my hand. “He can’t be very smart if he hasn’t asked for your hand.”
I wasn’t ready to give away my hand completely. “We should probably stick to the case.” I didn’t know if Pierce had told him his DNA had cleared or not, and that wasn’t my job. “If you think of anything, please give me a call.” I drew a card from my pocket and handed it to him. “It would be nice to find who killed them.”
“It was Nick,” Wayne said, looking me right in the eye. “I know you don’t believe me, but the hatred I saw in that kid scared me even back then.”
I shivered and stood.
Spencer stood as well, gently taking my arm. “I know that Nick is your client, but people change in fifteen years. It’s my understanding that he went into the service, then became a lawyer, and now puts away bad guys. Sometimes, our whole lives are created as a way to atone for our sins. Just keep that in mind.”
I swallowed and tried to smile up at him. “Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your breakfast.” I limped to the counter and paid for my order before slowly walking outside into the beautiful day.