Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“I believe that covers it,” Ian confirmed.
“Dead or alive?” I asked myself as well as Ian.
“His limbs weren’t stiff so if he was dead, he wasn’t dead for long.”
“Good observation,” I said, recalling how the guy’s arm easily fell away from his face.
“So, he could have been alive.”
“True,” I concurred. “But was he one of the looters or was he trying to stop the looting? Or was it about looting at all?”
I admired Ian’s naked chest the next morning as he slipped a black T-shirt over his head. He kept himself in pristine shape but then his job called for him looking like a hunk. He and his modeling crew provided endless photos for book covers from romance to mystery, thrillers, horror, young adult, you name it, he could provide it. He had recently added publicity packages that did it all for indie authors, even having the models join the authors at book signings if requested. He and his crew also did various modeling jobs all done from the comfort of Willow Lake Lodge, unless a specific location was requested. He kept expanding his business to go beyond the rapidly changing publishing and modeling industry so that his business would remain relevant or set a new direction in some areas.
I ran my hand along the temporary tat of a dragon on his arm when he pulled me into his arms. “He’s a fierce one.”
“And relevant to the book covers of a motorcycle club series we’re shooting today as well as a book trailer to go along with it,” he said and dropped a quick kiss on my cheek. “Please tell me you are not going alone to the cemetery today. With the mausoleum having been broken into twice, what’s saying it cannae be broken into again? And dinnae bother to tell me you can take care of yourself. We both know how that has worked out for you.”
“Okay, so I’m not invincible,” I said, thinking of the few times I got into situations where help was needed. “I asked Amy to join me. Tax season is done so her accountant business is slow and she’s eager to help investigate.
“You should take Mo with you. You never know what he may find,” Ian said with a chuckle.
I made a face at him. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
He was referring to bones Mo dug up in the woods that led to a murder investigation that took unexpected turns and resulted in a shocking conclusion.
Ian finished his second cup of tea, kissed me, then headed to the door. “Text me the photos when you are done at the cemetery. I’d like to look them over so we can discuss them later.”
“Will do,” I said and grabbed my phone off the kitchen island. I turned and found Mo sitting in front of me, a forlorn look on his loveable face. I sighed. He had a way of making me feel guilty when I had done nothing to feel guilty about. “I will take you along as long as you behave,” I warned.
He barked and I capitulated.
With his vest secured, Mo bounced around as soon as we stepped outside, excited at joining me. He jumped into the back seat of my old Ram truck as soon as I opened the door, and we set off to pick up Amy.
Amy has been my best friend since kindergarten. We’re opposite in looks her tall and shapely, blonde hair, and me short and thin, auburn hair. She devours romance books. I devour mysteries. I’m game for doing anything to solve a mystery. She joins me, sometimes reluctantly. I love her like a sister and the feeling is mutual.
Amy hopped into the front seat and turned to give Mo a rub on the head. “Glad you could join us.”
Mo licked her face and shortly afterward she pulled her compact from her large purse—who carries large purses nowadays, though she needs it for all the stuff she carries around—and applied blush to the area Mo had licked clean. That was another thing we differed on. Amy was fashionable, always looking good even when wearing jeans with a navy tee under a fitted red jacket, the lapel adorned with an antique, circular pearl pin, and around her neck she wore a black ribbon choker with a small pearl dangling from it and Doc Marten boots on her feet. Whereas I paired my jeans with whatever top I grabbed from my drawer, presently a light blue knit with a raven on the front and a Poe quote beneath the black bird, ‘Never More.’ Add to that a basic tan jacket and work boots and I’m all set. Forgot the hair, Amy’s blonde hair is full of natural waves while my hair is usually in a ponytail. Like I said, opposites, but we work.
“Do you ever stop finding bodies?” Amy joked.