Jasper picks up my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Yes, yes, and yes. Whatever Bizzy wants is fine by me.”
Leo laughs. “Bizzy, that’s code for a nice big juicy steak.”
“How about surf and turf?” I shrug to Jasper.
Emmie lifts her pen. “How about surf and turf with a traditional Maine spin on it? I’m talking lobster, crabs, clams, the whole nine fishy yards.”
“Throw in clam chowder and you’ve got a deal,” I say.
Jasper nods. “How about some crab cakes?”
Leo pats his stomach. “Let’s toss in some brisket.”
Emmie purrs his way, “I was just about to put some brisket in the oven for tonight.”
Leo curls his lips. “You do realize food is my love language.”
I elbow Jasper. “Why do I feel as if we’re intruding?”
“Because you’re intuitive.” He frowns over at the canoodling taking place across the way. “If I were you, I’d implement a no getting frisky in the kitchen rule.”
I wrap my arms around him. “Now what fun would that be?”
Emmie takes Leo by the hand and quickly navigates him to the office.
I twitch my lips at the sight. “Do you think it’s too late to implement a no canoodling in the office rule?”
Emmie slams the door behind them as if letting me know exactly what she thinks of my no canoodling rule.
I shrug up at Jasper. “How about a quick walk along the sand?”
“It sounds like just what I need before heading off to Seaview.”
Jasper and I collect our menagerie and head on out into the cool fall air. The cove is sparse with tourists, and the Atlantic creates a dramatic navy backdrop against the powder white sand.
Lucky runs out before us. Race you to the water, he barks in Sherlock’s direction, and they’re off like a couple of greyhounds.
Misty lifts her paws in a dainty manner. I don’t care for the sand.
“Come here, girls.” I scoop them both up and hand Fish to my soon-to-be better half.
Jasper casts those silver eyes my way. “I did a little research on the disappearance of that girl Bernie and Archie mentioned last night.”
“And you found out her name is Embry Knight?”
“Bizzy Baker.” Jasper closes his eyes a moment, and both Misty and Fish purr with delight.
Fish mewls as she snuggles in his arms. Isn’t he handsome?
Misty mewls. He does have the most adorable freckles.
Freckles? Fish sits up straight. Are you talking about Sherlock? I was talking about Jasper.
A tiny laugh gets caught in my throat. “I think Misty has a little crush on Sherlock Bones.”
Jasper tips his head to the side. “Are you trying to change the subject?”
I bite down a smile. “I think this circles back to me being intuitive. Speaking of intuitive, there’s another missing girl and her name is Shelly Grant. I looked them up this morning. Jasper, that’s three women, all from Edison.”
“I know.” He casts a glance out to the water. “I was up all night researching it myself. The sad thing is, if nobody reports it, the sheriff’s department can’t step in to help. Did you see their pictures?”
“No, did you?”
He pulls out his phone, and I lean in as his screen lights up a picture of all three women side by side.
“Jasper.” I gasp. “They look like they could be sisters.”
“I thought so, too.” He leans in to get a better look along with me. “All three have blonde hair and blue eyes. All three worked and lived in Edison. Anita was a waitress at a nearby diner; Embry was a dancer at a nearby club.”
“A dancer?”
He nods. “At a club called Make It Rain. And the only reason I’m telling you is because I’m well aware that garnering the information would suddenly be on your agenda.”
“You do know me.” I hike up on my toes and kiss his cheek. “And Shelly?”
“Bank teller. She was let go just a few weeks before her disappearance.”
“Interesting.”
Fish lets out a meow that sounds more like a chortle. Bizzy’s wheels are turning. I can tell by the way she’s chewing the inside of her cheek.
I press my lips together quickly to stop doing just that.
Jasper puts his phone back into his pocket. “I’d better get to work.” He lands a kiss to my lips. “Keep away from trouble, would you?”
“Trouble? Me? I’ll be looking at wedding dresses online all day. And judging by the price tags, that might just be trouble.”
“It’s on me, Bizzy. You pick up whatever you like.”
“At the price points I’m looking at, buying a house would be cheaper.”
He lands Fish in my arms.
“I trust you.” He dots my lips with a kiss before taking off.
Fish nuzzles against Misty just as Lucky and Sherlock run up panting.
Where to now, Bizzy? Sherlock barks.
“How about we head to my cottage and I’ll get you all a bowl of fresh water while I scroll the internet for a dress?”
And any information I can find on those three women.
After seeing their pictures, I don’t think those disappearances are random after all.
It makes me wonder if we’ve got a monster on our hands, and I very much think we do.
Then there’s Julian’s killer to tend to.
And I very much plan on tending to them both.
Chapter 9
My little cottage has always been my favorite little hideaway, with its shabby chic style, complete with frilly curtains and comfy sofa that just so happen to share the same yellow and white checkered print. The sofa is a little older, but the curtains were a new addition I picked up online a few weeks back and they add another overall layer of coziness to the place.
As soon as I got back to my cottage with all of the animals, I gave them each a fresh bowl of water and treats—bacon for Sherlock Bones and Lucky, and kitty vittles for Fish and Misty. I even tossed out several balls of yarn for them to play with but, of course, all four animals are fighting over the same orange ball. The fire is roaring, and I’ve settled on the couch with
