“Well, it was nice seeing you again.” He holds his hand out and I shake it. My fingers catch on something hard and I look down to find that same chunky gold ring that Wyatt had on last night with the black stone and silver etching over it.
My eyes bounce up to his. “Nice seeing you again, too. It looks like I’ll be here fixing my sister’s window. I guess I might see you again.”
He makes a face at something near the entry to Killer Books and I turn that way to find Gatsby, the blond golden retriever, exiting the building with a sheriff holding onto his leash.
Thomas sighs at the sight. “Looks like Gatsby might be the second victim in all this. Molly can’t be around him for more than five minutes. She’s allergic to dogs.”
“What do you think will happen to him?”
“I don’t know,” he says. “My lease stipulates no pets, so I’m out.”
“The inn runs a pet daycare.” A note of excitement seeps through my voice. “We would be happy to house him until someone steps in to claim him.”
“I don’t see who would protest. I know Gatsby won’t mind. He loves other animals. And since you’re right up the road, I might even drop in and visit.”
He inspects me for a moment. Nice smile. Easy temperament. It looks like Bizzy Baker is the perfect woman. He glances down at my ring finger. And very much taken. The good ones always are. It looks like it’s back to the funny farm for me. That’s okay, after what I did. That’s where I belong.
After what he did?
I let his cryptic words sink in a moment.
He says goodbye before taking off down the street, and I make a beeline over to the bookstore with both Georgie and Juni hot on my heels.
“Hey, Gatsby,” I say as the sad looking pooch meanders my way.
The kind lady from last night. He does a double take my way. The one who had Wyatt’s blood on her hands.
I shake my head. “I didn’t do it,” I whisper before asking the deputy if I could hold the leash and he lets me. I walk Gatsby over a few feet and whisper in his ear, “I can hear your thoughts—and understand you.” I give his back a quick scratch. “I’m hoping they’ll let me take you home with me.”
Georgie and Juni descend on the friendly, not-so-little puppy just as a tall, dark, and vexingly handsome homicide detective emerges from the building—Jasper. His light eyes sear right through me and my insides squeeze tight. Since the moment we met, my body hasn’t stopped responding to him viscerally, and I hope it never does.
“Bizzy Baker,” he says, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Why aren’t I surprised to see you milling around?”
I twist my lips. “Because my love for you knows no physical bounds?”
He flicks his finger for me to head his way and I do.
“Bizzy, tell me you’re not investigating.”
I frown at the thought. Clearly, my fiancé has a lot to learn about me yet.
I lean in. “First you tell me whether or not Wyatt Sanders was wearing a fat gold ring when they took his body away.”
Jasper tips his head to the side and sighs.
“Oh yes, Detective Wilder. I am very much investigating this case.”
Chapter 6
The Busy Bean Coffee Shop is located right next door to Lather and Light, and that’s exactly where I’ve lured Jasper into having a quick cup of coffee with me.
The six of us sit outside, lounging at the bistro tables while sipping on iced coffee. Yes, six. Not only have Sherlock and Gatsby joined us, but so have Georgie and Juni.
About a half a dozen female tourists pause before us to purr over at the ornery detective with approval. And believe me, Jasper is every bit ornery.
Sherlock lets out a moaning bark as if he heard. Bizzy, try to remember what it is that Jasper does for a living. I recognize that cranky look on his face. It’s because things are out of his control.
“Bizzy,” he says my name low like a reprimand. “You of all people shouldn’t be returning to the scene of the crime.”
Georgie moans as she swallows down a bite of her chocolate croissant.
“Go easy on her, Officer.” She winks over at him. “They say the killer always returns to the scene of a crime. Bizzy’s just following protocol.”
Juni inhales so loud and sharp I fear the heap of brownies in front of her will end up in her respiratory tract.
“Bizzy, you’re the killer?” she hisses just above a whisper and Gatsby lets out a sharp bark.
“No.” I shake my head as I give the precious pup a quick scratch between the ears. “I’m not the killer,” I say as I lean in toward Jasper. “But somebody out there is. And yes, I’ll admit it. I was drawn to the bookstore, but only because I wanted to find some answers.”
Gatsby belts out a sickly moan. I want answers, too.
Sherlock barks. That’s Bizzy’s specialty. She pokes her snout where it doesn’t belong and eventually sniffs out the killer.
I can’t help but make a face at the cute pooch.
Jasper opens his mouth then closes it in what looks to be a fit of frustration.
“Then let me do it, Bizzy,” he says. “Let me find the killer. That’s why they pay me the big bucks.”
Georgie elbows Juni. “You hear that—big bucks. When you toss the bouncer to the curb, you should aim for someone at the sheriff’s department next. Do something really creative to get arrested, like streaking down Main Street and rob a bank while you’re at it.”
“Ohh, good thinking.” Juni rubs her hands together. “I could use me a man with money and access to the keys.”
I shake my head at her. “What keys?”
“To the cell block.” She gives a flirtatious wink to Jasper before wrapping her lips seductively around her straw.
I pull Jasper close to me by way of his hand. “Never mind
