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)
“By the way. If you killed him, Mr. Hagger, I will find out and you will spend the rest of your life in prison. Okay, bye.” With a final smile and a little finger wave, she strode from his office.
As soon as Jane shut herself inside her vehicle—an honest to goodness hearse—she whipped out her phone, thinking to text Emma about her maybe-maybe-not boyfriend. Except, she teared up when she spied the screen. A text from Fiona had come in, bringing more good news about Sheriff Moore. He’d been released from the hospital earlier than expected and was now resting comfortably at home.
What a glorious day! Jane decided to surprise the couple with several bags of groceries. Things they could snack on. She’d also whip up a few of Fiona’s favorite casseroles. To aid the sheriff’s recovery, Jane would use half the butter, a bit less cream, and only crumbles of bacon. Yes, yes. She liked this plan. After she spoke with Emma via text, and visited with Dr. Garcia and Dr. Price in person, she’d head to the store.
Here goes. She typed up her first message, opting for finesse rather than a blatant accusation.
Jane: Does the name Reggie Belfry mean anything to you??????
A reply popped up only seconds later, as if the nurse had been waiting for just such a query.
Nurse Emma: I’ve been on a few dates with him, but we’re not serious. Why?
Uh, did Belfry know they weren’t serious? The way he’d stalked her at the party suggested no.
Another text came in.
Nurse Emma: Wait. Do you think Reggie harmed Tony? Because he didn’t. He wouldn’t. He’s a hothead, but he’s not violent. Besides, he wasn’t even at the event. I never told him about it.
Gah! Jane exhaled with a huff. Maybe investigative work wasn’t as easy as she’d supposed. Who to believe? Hagger or Emma? The video corroborated Emma’s seeming ignorance of Belfry’s presence. But what if she merely sought to cover her tracks?
Maybe Belfry was the kind of guy who thought he owned a woman, just because he’d paid for a meal and received a couple kisses. Maybe he’d been jealous of Tony and killed him out of spite, without Emma’s knowledge.
Bottom line? Jane needed to speak with “hothead” Reggie Belfry.
She added another task to her to do list. Hunt down Belfry. Which she’d do as soon as she got home…before her date with Conrad kicked off.
Do not think about the date. Or the agent. Her hand shook as she stabbed the hearse key into the ignition. Since Med and Care was closer to her current location, she went that way first. Only, as she meandered along Vermeil Street, admiring the fall decorations, she caught sight of Beau, coming out of The Burger Joint with a plastic sack stuffed to the brim and dangling from a hand.
Uh, this was his important task of the day? Rather than guarding the cemetery while she helped prove his innocence in an ongoing murder investigation, he’d slept in and grabbed brunch…for two?
Her mind whirled. He wasn’t headed toward Prospect Street, the fancy part of town she’d just vacated. Which signified he wasn’t headed for his home. A gorgeous building that also served as the office for Peach State Security. That indicated he wasn’t feeding Isaac and Holden, who were on the clock. So, what was Beau’s destination and with whom did he plan to dine?
Curiosity exploded through Jane. She whipped the hearse to the curb and parked under an oak tree with gold and red leaves, praying the vet hadn’t spotted her. Surely he hadn’t. His back was to her. As quickly as possible, she killed the engine, slung her purse strap across her chest, and exited.
Sticking to the shadowy part of the sidewalk, she trailed him by roughly twenty steps. When a sudden breeze blew off her hat, she didn’t turn to give chase. Yet. Though she’d waited weeks for the darling sapphire headpiece to go on sale, she kept her sights glued to Beau. She’d hunt down the hat later.
The longer she followed, the more guilt prickled her skin. Should she really be doing this? Tracking her dear friend?
Well. Yeah. Absolutely. Hadn’t she vowed to cross any line to find the truth? Learning Beau’s secret would only help her clear his good name.
Anyone she encountered along the way, she avoided. Which wasn’t difficult. Ignored once again.
Spotting Tiffany and Abigail at the Treasure Room, she pumped her arms and legs with great force. The two were eating scones, sipping lattes, and laughing at a small, round table outside. Thankfully, they didn’t notice her. Even when her phone rang. A call she disregarded. Had to be the reporter, Ms. Katz.
Beau turned a corner, momentarily disappearing from view. Again, Jane quickened her step, snaked the same corner and—smacked into a hard wall of strength. She bounced back, catching herself before she fell.