Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Laurel tugged her hair out of its clip. “I’ve found several places to invest. Just let me know how much I have to play with.”
Deidre flopped onto her seat, wearing a tight-fitting black yoga outfit with a white tank top beneath her jacket. “Not that we’re rich. I know we keep investing our profits, but still, it’s nice to be able to buy shoes if I want to buy shoes.”
“I concur.” As the smell of fresh tomato paste hit Laurel, her stomach rumbled. She reached for a fork and instantly dug in. “I need to talk to you.”
“Ruh-roh. Are you moving out?” Deidre poured herself a glass of cabernet.
Laurel’s eyebrows lifted. “You want me to move out?”
“No, I don’t want you to move out. I figured once you’d finished building your barndominium that you would, but with this weather, your plans have been put on hold, haven’t they?”
“They have,” Laurel said. She was converting an old barn down the road into a home for herself. With the baby coming, perhaps she should discuss the matter with Huck. They could build something together. His cabin wasn’t big enough for a baby, but then again, they hadn’t discussed fully moving in together.
Deidre watched her thoughtfully and then sipped her wine. “There are a lot of thoughts crossing your face. Maybe you and Captain Rivers need to sit down and have a nice talk.”
“I suppose so,” Laurel said thoughtfully. “We haven’t planned much.”
“You haven’t known about the baby for long. Give yourself a break.”
The last thing in the world Laurel wanted to do was take the smile off her mom’s face, but they really did need to talk. “Zeke Caine called me earlier today and said that he has been phoning you.”
Deidre paused with a fork halfway to her mouth and then set it down, still with pasta entwined through the prongs. “Yes. He has called the office several times, and I have ignored him.”
“He doesn’t have your personal cell phone number?”
“Not yet, but if I remember, he’s rather persistent.” Deidre paled.
Laurel stood up and fetched a glass of water before reseating herself. “He’s dangerous.”
“I know,” Deidre burst out. “I’ve wondered if he was in the truck that tried to run me off the road.”
As had Laurel. Of course, it could’ve been Jason Abbott. Or another killer she hadn’t met yet. She pushed the pasta around her plate with her fork. “I was thinking that perhaps you should travel sooner rather than later to Asia.”
Deidre blinked. “Laurel, I’m leaving in two weeks.”
“Yes, I know, but harvest times for tea leaves and the other ingredients you love started a week ago and will continue for months.”
Deidre stared at her over the rim of her wineglass. “You want me out of town, Laurel Snow.”
“I really do,” Laurel agreed. “Things are heating up around Zeke Caine and Abigail, and I have another serial killer in the area targeting women—so far blondes. Mom, you’re blond.” She shook her head. “My experience and judgment indicate you’re in peril. My stress level would decrease if you moved up your travel plans.”
Deidre reached for her fork and plopped the mass of pasta into her mouth, chewing while staring at her the whole time. “I’ll need to talk to Dolores.”
“I appreciate that, Mom. I’ll pay for any fees incurred by changing plans.”
Deidre waved a hand in the air. “I have as much money as you do, Laurel Snow. I can afford my own fees. Plus, they’re all a write-off.” She leaned forward. “I don’t feel right leaving you here alone with your entire team out of town.”
Laurel couldn’t deny the sense of isolation right now, but she needed to abandon emotions and start strategizing. She took a bite of the perfectly seasoned pasta. She’d never understood how her mom created such delectable meals. No matter how many times Laurel attempted to measure ingredients and spices, she never achieved the same results. Deidre rarely used recipes and haphazardly tossed in ingredients.
“I’m not alone, Mom. I’m an FBI agent.” One without a team in place.
“You promise you’ll stay with Huck or he’ll stay here?”
Laurel’s shoulders finally relaxed now that her mom had agreed to leave town. “Of course.”
Deidre grinned. “Are you actually working on instinct here, like a gut feeling?”
“Oh, no.” Laurel hurried to assure her mother. “I’m calculating risks and odds and what I know about Zeke Caine, Jason Abbott, Abigail Caine, and whoever the serial killer might be if it’s not Abbott.”
“Do you think it’s Abbott?”
Laurel looked down at her half-finished dinner. “I really don’t know.” How irritating.
“How soon do you want me to leave?”
“Tomorrow works for me,” Laurel said.
Deidre’s jaw dropped. “Laurel, I can’t leave tomorrow.”
“Sure, you can. I already looked into it.” She forced a smile. “In fact, I have you and Dolores booked at a luxury spa in Arizona for three days before you take the long flight to Asia to obtain the best tea ingredients in the world.”