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)
“Ash, you’re the only lead I’ve had in weeks. I won’t say who told me the info. Besides, if they question you it might lead them back to me.”
She blows out a breath. “Ok, but I might not be much help because I’ve only been there one time.”
“I still can’t get over the fact that my sister partook in anything going on there.”
“Hey, are you going to listen to what I have to say, or judge me the entire time?”
I slide onto a bar stool at the granite-topped island in the center of her kitchen. “Sorry. Did you meet anyone? Can you give me any names?”
“Wait.” She places a hand over my notebook. “You can’t let anyone know Derek is a member.”
“Why?” I raise a brow.
“Because they might lead it back to me, and then to you.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, I won’t reveal his name either.”
A grin springs across her face. “Thanks.”
“How long have you been seeing him?”
“A few months.”
I snap my eyes to hers. “And you’ve kept this from me?” Sadness slumps my shoulders because she hasn’t told me about him, or because she felt she couldn’t tell me. “We tell each other everything.” Or so I thought.
She moves to the coffeepot and pours our coffee, adding sugar to both mugs. “It just happened. It just didn’t seem real. I didn’t want to tell you and jinx anything.”
I study her, looking for the truth hidden there. “Ok, fine. I’ll leave Derek’s name off the members’ list you give me.”
She sits down and slides me a mug of coffee. “Fine. Hannah Jensen is a member.”
“From high school?” I swear I need to learn to keep my emotions in check. “I’ve never seen her there.” I get so busy waiting on people that I can’t watch who’s coming or going.
Ashley points a finger at me. “You said you wouldn’t judge.”
“Ok, I won’t, but did you do stuff with her?”
Ashley’s face blazes red, and she doesn’t need to answer the question for me to know the answer. Ugh.
“Ok, moving on. Who else?” I grip my pen, trying to prepare myself for any more unexpected names.
“Dennis Davies. Connor Stapleton. Some red-haired girl was with Connor, but I don’t know her name.”
“Connor from your office?” I’d met him a few times when Ashley tried to set me up with him, thinking he’d be a perfect fit for me.
She was wrong.
She nods. “Yes, and Dennis Davies from the law office on Fifth.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen his TV ads.”
Ashley laughs a little. “Personal injury lawyer at his finest.”
“Those commercials are always so corny.”
Ashley laughs harder. “And Dennis’ are the corniest.”
She gives me a few more names, and I’m ecstatic I’m making progress. Finally, I can get a list over to Finn and he won’t think I’m slacking on the assignment.
I hate how inadequate I feel because I’m not making any progress. Who knew my sister would be the one to help?
She shifts on her stool. “I was also there a few weeks ago.”
“What day?” I take a sip of my coffee and glance at my notes. “August thirtieth?”
That’s the night of Julie Landers murder.
“Yes, I think so.”
She tells me who on the list was there that night and I circle the names.
“One more thing. What type of paperwork did you have to fill out to be on the guest list?”
She gives me a weird look. “Why?”
“I’m just wondering if somewhere in that club there’s a file linking us together.”
She cringes. “Yeah, I had to give a photo ID and my social.” She trails a fingertip around the rim of her cup, staring into the dark liquid. “Can you do me a favor? I know I have no right to ask you for this, but will you tell me if Derek goes there with any other girls?”
I turn to face her. “Ashley, I can’t play babysitter. To be honest, I hardly have time to do any proper investigating.” I look at the heartbreak on her face and say, “But yeah, I’ll keep an eye out.”
She lights up at my words. “Thank you.” She picks up her mug again. “I’m worried about you working there. There are some members who aren’t good people.”
“Who?”
She shrugs. “I’m not sure. I’ve just heard Derek talk about some real assholes who go there.”
“Can you ask him about it? Casually bring it up?”
She agrees to try, and I end up staying at my sister’s house for another thirty minutes, reminiscing about the good ol’ days. It’s been a long time since we’ve just chatted about nonsense.
Before I leave her house, I borrow some clothes for work since she has a sexier sense of style than me. I’ve tossed on a simple black dress with a low-cut bodice and a pair of strappy black high heels.
Twenty minutes later, I slip inside Club Greed and say a quick hello to Luna. Once again, the club is packed and I barely have time to breathe because it’s so busy.