Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
But this is my job.
“I know it doesn’t mean he’s a killer.”
Finn blinks at me. “Doesn’t make him not one either.” He sets his hand on my arm. “Chloe, get yourself promoted—fast—so we can get some real information.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder.”
Easier said than done, but I nod. “Will do.” I hop out of his car and back into mine.
I need to get promoted, and quickly, but how? I’m doing a phenomenal job at serving cocktails, but Adele hasn’t mentioned giving me any additional responsibilities. The girls at work told me to be patient, but they aren’t there to catch a killer.
Finn drives away, and I head to my mother’s house, pondering ways I can speed up the promotion process. When I pull into the driveway of the two-story colonial, Ashley is already here and walking toward the wide front porch. She stops and waits for me to get out of the car.
“Hey,” I say once I’m heading up the driveway.
“Good morning.” She holds out a donut box. “I brought breakfast.”
“Thank you, I’m starved.”
We make our way up the brick steps that lead to my mother’s front porch.
The door swings open before we can even knock. “My babies,” my mother says, holding out her arms to embrace us both.
“Hi, Mom,” I say, letting her wrap her arms around me.
Ashley hugs my mother, carefully maneuvering the box of donuts in her hands so they don’t fall.
As soon as we’re in the house, we head into the kitchen.
Ashley whirls around, dropping the pink box onto the island’s granite countertop. “Chloe, tell me everything.”
My mother raises a brow. “Everything what?”
I cringe. “As you know, I can’t say much, but I can say this…” I slip onto one of the bar stools at the counter. “How can I be sexier?”
Ashley sits on a stool next to me. “Sexier?”
“What are you two girls talking about?” my mother asks, parking both hands on her hips, not liking the fact she’s being ignored.
“Sorry, Mom. Ashley’s asking about my new assignment.”
“Assignment?”
“Yeah, she’s on her first undercover assignment,” Ashley says.
“Mom”—I point at her—“you can’t tell anyone anything, ok?” I can’t have my mother going to her weekly bridge game chatting about how I’m undercover at Club Greed. I shoot Ashley a look to keep the details quiet.
My mother appears shocked, like she’d never tell people anything, but I know my mother. She’s a regular Chatty Cathy.
“Is it dangerous?” my mother asks, opening the box of donuts.
“No, it’s fine.” I hate worrying my mother.
“Is it really fine?” My mother fidgets with her hands, like she’s nervous.
“Mom, she’s a big girl,” Ashley says, mirroring my words that I said at the YMCA.
“I just get so worried about you,” my mother says, wrapping her arms around me.
“We both knew the potential danger when I told you I wanted to be a detective.”
My mother drops her arms from me. “You’re right. I’m sorry. So, a big case, huh? Can you tell us anything about it?”
I shake my head. “Sadly, I can’t, but I promise I’m staying safe.”
The phone rings and my mother holds up a finger to answer it. “It’s Vin,” she mouths as soon as she answers. She listens for a second, and her eyes twinkle. “Vin and Addison are coming into town.” She walks away to continue her conversation in the other room.
“She’s the only person I know with a landline,” Ashley says with a laugh.
“I know. I’m excited Vin and Addi are coming.”
“Me too. Wonder if they’re coming for a vacation, or if they’re going undercover?”
“It makes me wonder if the FEDS have caught wind of what’s going on down here.”
Ashley sighs. “I know I said you’re a big girl, but I still worry about you being undercover.”
“Don’t.”
“I can’t get the image of the one woman’s boyfriend on the news out of my mind. He was so distraught and did you see him cry at the end?”
Suzie Parks.
“Yeah, it’s a shame what’s happened to these girls.”
“It’s got me shook.” She sighs. “I can’t imagine what her family must be going through.”
“I know.”
My mother returns and tells us Vin and Addison are coming in a few weeks. “Now where were we? Sexier Chloe?”
“I’m just wondering how to seduce a man.”
Ashley angles her body toward me. “Chloe, you can’t seduce a potential killer.”
I shush Ashley, hoping my mother doesn’t ask me too many questions.
My mother stares at me. “I don’t know what your assignment is, nor will I ask. I’m only hoping you’re staying safe.” She steps closer. “Now with your father he was a cop, and I pretended I needed his protection.”
I contemplate her words. Devereaux does seem to have this protector vibe going on.
“Ah, I’ll never have anyone love me like how Dad loved you, Mom,” Ashley says.
“Yes, you will,” I offer.
She opens the donut box and selects a chocolate glazed pastry. “This donut loves me.”