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)
“I haven’t used the word yes even once,” she rushed out.
“Not true. You just did.” His eyes were twinkling again. “So, where would you like to eat?”
“I—” A blood-curdling scream suddenly pierced the night, and every cell in Jane’s body vibrated with alarm.
She groaned. Trouble had just found her, it seemed.
CHAPTER TWO
“If you’re not lying, you’re not trying.”
Anthony “Tony” Miller, attorney at law
In a thundering flap of wings, birds took flight from multiple trees. Around Jane, conversations ceased, and people went still. The only movement came from flashing lightning bugs.
Acid pooled in her stomach. That hadn’t been a startled, playful, or victorious sound. No, terror had filled every nuance. “What in the world?” She jumped to her feet, the fringe on her dress tapping against her knees.
Guests started laughing. A few even clapped and cheered.
They thought the scream was part of the event?
A line formed between Conrad’s eyes. He strode around the table to stand beside her. “I read your script, but I don’t recall an impromptu shriek.”
“I know.” Jane tightened her grip on the pen she held. “I think something’s wrong.” There hadn’t been a second scream, at least. That was a good sign, right?
The corners of his mouth turned down. “I’m sure Beau and his guys are on it. But, considering the murderous nature of the townsfolk, I better go check it out.”
Her breath released in a rush, and she kissed his cheek. “Yes, please, and thank you.”
“For you, anything. Stay here. Please.” Expression intent, he lightly pinched her chin, angled her face the way he wanted it, and kissed her mouth. An action she hadn’t known she’d needed until just then.
As he pivoted and stalked off, her hand fluttered to her throat. Returning to the seat, she muttered, “No reason to panic.” For all she knew, someone had solved the case super early, discovered Beau’s body, and witnessed Fiona absconding with a stolen bag of fake gold. Yes, yes, that must be what happened.
A crackling sound rose from Jane’s purse. Confused, she dug inside–duh! The walkie-talkie. Beau had insisted all cast members carry a two-way radio in case of an emergency.
Heart thumping, she lifted the device to her mouth. “Yes. Hello?”
“Jane!” Fiona whisper-yelled, the words drenched in horror. “Jane, there’s been a murder. A real one! There’s blood. And a needle!”
Blood? Needle? “What?!” This could not be happening. Not again. Not on this special night of celebration and fun. She’d taken every precaution.
“I’m so sorry,” her friend rushed on. “I shouldn’t have left the Valley of the Dolls, but Beau never showed up. I went looking for him and…and…that’s when I found it.” Her volume dropped to a whisper without the yell. “The body. He’s one hundred percent dead, Jane. I checked for a pulse. You’re the expert in such matters. What am I supposed to do now?”
Wait, wait, wait. “Who’s dead?” Not Beau. Please, please not Beau.
The mayor approached the information table, saying, “Can you tell me where–”
“I’m on my way,” she told Fiona, ignoring him. Stay put? No. As the mayor sputtered, Jane shot to her feet. With only the walkie talkie in hand, she dashed through the cemetery, taking the same path as Conrad, her high heels clacking on the cobblestone walkway. After stumbling twice, she kicked off her shoes, uncaring when little rocks dug into her soles. “Fee? Are you there? Where are you?”
“I’m close to the original office.” Crackling. “I don’t want to leave his body.”
“Whose body?” she demanded.
“Oh! I figured out what to do. I’m calling Sheriff Moore.” Click.
Argh! Surely Jane wasn’t so annoying when she stumbled upon a corpse.
Adjusting her route, she pumped her arms to pick up speed. She flew past the statue of Muffin, the cemetery’s canine guardian, then zigged and zagged between residents, all while doing her best to avoid party goers still searching for clues.
“Sorry!” she rushed out anytime she grazed someone.
When she crossed into Eden Valley, the crowd vanished. From there, she hurried past the mausoleum and entered Paradise Ladling, an area filled with her relatives. To discourage visitors in this particular section, she’d temporarily shut off the lights along the pathway. It helped that towering trees covered in Spanish moss blocked the moonlight.
With a fresh burst of energy, Jane crested a slope.
“Whoa. Slow down there, girl,” commanded a voice from the shadows.
With a jolt, she skidded to a halt. Who the heck– “Oh! Sheriff Moore.” She pressed a palm over her racing heart as he stepped forward. “What are you doing, skulking about?”
“I wasn’t skulking. I dropped my phone, which doubled as my flashlight. But the light switched off upon impact. Considering it’s pitch black out here and I can’t navigate the winding hedgerows by memory, I decided to wait for you. I knew you’d come along sooner or later.” He tapped his temple. “That’s called using my resources.”