“Yeah, well, you’re not that far off base. Props to you for being a very good detective. Speaking of which, I think we should talk about Kaila for a moment.” I clear my throat.
“All right. What did you glean?”
“She loves dogs, is in between relationships, is yet another person glad that’s Holly Wright was wiped off this planet, and thinks Carol was capable of pulling off the string light strangulation.”
He turns his ear toward me slightly. “What did she say about Carol?”
“Well, we already know that Holly and Carol once belonged to the same sorority. And that they went on to work at the same distillery. Kaila said they were friendly up until Holly got ousted by the company and Carol wouldn’t leave. Carol ended up getting demoted no thanks to all the drama, but Holly wasn’t satisfied with that. She was determined to make Carol’s life a living heck. Carol must have been furious.”
He takes a breath. “Now why would Holly insist on Carol leaving with her?”
“Maybe she was critical to the company? Maybe Holly thought things would fall apart if both she and Carol left? And when Carol refused to do it, Holly felt betrayed.”
“Betrayed enough to destroy a family?” He glances out the window as he mulls this over. “What else did Kaila say?”
“Nothing really. Oh, wait, she mentioned Ford’s marriage was blown apart, too. I guess she was a proficient homewrecker. And I guess the mayor and his brother have had nothing but strife ever since.”
He tips his head back. “Did you mention that Kaila said she was single?”
“Between men.”
“That’s funny. I interviewed Ford today, and he swears he’s seeing Kaila Clark.”
“Really? Maybe he’s using her as a cover?”
“Or maybe he’s telling the truth and Kaila didn’t want to clue the local town sleuth in on the fact her boyfriend may have done the deed.”
“I get it.” I nod. “I would totally lie to cover for you.” My eyes close a moment. “Just like you’re doing for me.” Shepherd is risking everything just to be with me. He knows my true identity. This couldn’t have been an easy decision. “Thank you,” I say without further explanation.
Shep nods. “Anytime, Kitten.”
We finish up our meals and opt to have dessert at the house where there’s a fresh batch of Nana Rose’s cookies waiting for us.
Shep wraps his arm around me as we head back out onto Main Street, with its rows and rows of verdant garland and twinkle lights. The snow covers the sidewalks and the street with a blanket of white, and the red bows dotting the garland, the wreaths on the doors and windows of every business, pop out at us with a cheery hello.
“I love this time of year,” I say, wrapping my arms around him. “What does your family do for Christmas? Fill me in on some of the Wexler family traditions.”
“This year we’ll be meeting after the holidays. Mom is on a cruise so we’re holding off to get together and we’ll be kicking off the new year together instead. I’m hoping you’ll be brave enough to join us. And Lola is invited, too. We can’t leave her in the dark.”
“You mean to her own devices. And thank you, I accept. I’m sure she will, too. When I left, she was pouting that she couldn’t come to dinner with us. I’m pretty sure we’ll get back to find her throwing a wild party to make me pay for it.”
“Let’s hope those two mobsters aren’t on the guest list. Although I’m glad we know about them. Believe me, I’m on high alert. I’m not sure who I feel sorrier for, Scooter Springs or the Woodley Sheriff’s Department for having to keep up with them once they get their own nefarious party started.”
“Yes, but think of the fun you’ll have. Plus, you’ll have me by your side to decode their every rotten move. Those boys won’t know what’s coming.”
“The irony is, they think they have the upper hand.”
“They might.”
“I know,” he says, dejected. “We make a good team, Bowie.” He pauses to pull me in close. “And that’s why—”
The ground beneath me feels as if it’s giving way. That warm, fuzzy feeling takes over my body and a serious case of tunnel vision sets in.
The first thing I see is Regina Valentine’s ugly mug. Fine, it’s not ugly, but she startled me, so there’s that. She’s looking right at someone to my left, and I turn to see Shep standing there. For the life of me I can’t make out where they are, but it’s safe to say they both look tense.
“I’m going to get her this time, Shep,” Regina pants. “And there’s nothing you can do about it. And I’m going to make sure she stays out of our lives forever.”
“No,” Shep barks back.
Oh, thank goodness he can no longer be swayed by her womanly wiles.
He leans her way. “If anyone takes her down, it’s me. I’ve invested personal resources to carry on this farce. My neck is on the line—my reputation.”
She runs her finger down his tie. “Oh, go ahead. If things work out, it will be the biggest sting operation of your life.”
“What?” I shriek as the world blinks back to life.
Shep’s eyes bulge a moment. “That’s too much, I get it.”
I suck in a quick breath. Just my freaking luck.
Shep probably proposed, and I missed the whole thing.
Not that I should believe anything he says. According to that vision, it’s Shep who is personally invested in carrying on this farce. I’m guessing I’m the farce. And busting me will be the biggest sting operation of his life, according to Regina.
But why not just turn me in?
Why play with me like I’m some little—kitten! No wonder he calls me by the imperialistic sexist nickname. He’s toying with me. Come to think of it, he might be working for the feds trying to pump me for information by way of those phony books he writes. I
