Wait a minute. We don’t have any pathway lights that go up as far as the cottage.
I guess it can’t be that.
I look out at the crowd.
Jill Borden… that doesn’t sound familiar at all.
Chip, why couldn’t you leave me a clue in that office of yours like a good little victim?
I quickly swipe through the pictures Jasper took of the legal documents last night, and one in particular snags my attention. Barron. Of course. It’s written right next to the account number on the property management document.
My fingers glide over my keyboard once again, and I look up Jill Barron.
Her name proliferates my screen as article after article pops up with news of her husband’s unfortunate demise in a boating accident.
“Oh no,” I whisper as I expel a breath. Jill Borden is no stranger to me, and she wasn’t a stranger to Chip or Bobbie Buckingham either.
I look to the two blondes that are playing host tonight.
Not only was she not a stranger, she once sold insurance right along with Bobbie. And now that Chip is out of the way, Jill Barron has one million more reasons to smile.
I take a step in her direction.
It’s time for me to confront a killer.
Chapter 17
The sound of the music and the din of voices picks up at a dizzying pace all around me as my feet carry me in a straight trajectory for the very woman who just may be the killer.
Sherlock and Gizmo spring up beside me on either side.
Bizzy. Sherlock barks. Is it time to get my tux on? I want to show Gizmo how nifty I look in a tie.
Gizmo belts out a little yip. Sherlock says a tie is there to hold the bacon. I’d like to see about getting one of these myself.
“In a bit.” I nod as I penetrate the circle of women and land right before the very person I think may have played a big part in the disaster that took hold of Chip Buckingham’s life. “Pardon me,” I say as I look her right in the eye. “Someone out front asked to speak with Jill Barron. Would either of you know who that is?”
Okay, so I may have fabricated that little bit about someone wanting to speak with her, but I’m sure, soon enough, it’ll be true once Lacey confirms her secret identity to me and I put a call in to Jasper.
Bobbie and Lacey exchange a quick glance as Lacey leans my way.
“I’m sorry.” She presses her hand to her chest as her cheeks burn bright as Christmas ornaments, and that right there is enough evidence for me to pin everything on her. “Who is it?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “Just someone in the foyer. Does the name ring a bell?”
Come on, Lacey. Admit it.
Lacey Lovelace. Mackenzie was right. Her name does sound fake. That should have been a red flag right from the beginning.
Bobbie nods to her. “Excuse us, Bizzy.” She threads her arm through Lacey’s, and they take off out of the ballroom while Sherlock, Gizmo, and I lick at their heels.
“Where is this person?” Lacey asks as she gives a quick look around, and we come to a stop just as we hit the entry
The doors to the inn are propped open, and a slow trickle of men and women speed on in and stream into the ballroom.
Bizzy? Fish calls out, and I spot her on the counter along with Sugar. What’s happening? Is everything all right? She heads this way, and little Sugar is quick to follow.
“Hey there.” Bobbie scoops Sugar right up and peppers the little kitten’s face with kisses. “You’re coming home with me tonight.” She laughs. “I’m sorry you’ve had her for so long, Bizzy. You really did me a favor like no other.”
“And I’m about to do another one,” I say, looking at the blonde before us. “You’re Jill Barron, aren’t you?”
Lacey’s mouth opens and shuts as her eyes narrow over mine with the sharp look.
She shakes her head as she blinks back to life.
“I’m sorry.” She reaches into her purse, fishing out her keys, and I catch a glimpse of that wallet I saw the first night.
“Your wallet.” A dull laugh lives and dies in my chest. “It’s monogramed with the letter J.” Of course, it is. “Bobbie, I’m sorry to break this to you, but Lacey Lovelace isn’t who you think she is.”
Bobbie swallows hard. How does she know all this? Does this have something to do with the life insurance policy?
A breath gets caught in my throat.
“You know?” I look to the woman, aghast. “You know exactly who this is, don’t you?”
“Good Lord.” Lacey belts out an incredulous laugh. “I’ll see you later, Bobbie.” She trots right out of the inn, and Bobbie and I follow as quickly as we can.
“Wait a minute,” Bobbie calls out as we continue down the cobbled path leading toward the cottages. “What about all those people back there? We can’t leave yet.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” I say as I pull Lacey back by the wrist and spin her my way. “I’m sorry, Bobbie”—I say without taking my eyes off the woman before me—“but it was Lacey, or Jill, who was having an affair with Chip.”
Now it’s Bobbie belting out an incredulous laugh.
“No, that was Keegan. I’m positive of it,” she says. “I caught them together myself.”
“No, it was this person, this imposter.” My voice hikes a notch. “In fact, Chip left a one million dollar life insurance policy in her name.”
The two women exchange a quick glance, and my eyes widen as a thought hits me.
Sherlock barks as Gizmo runs a dizzying circle around the two women.
“Oh
