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  I dunk a piece of beer battered fish into the malt vinegar and die on the inside as I take a sinful bite. A hard moan comes from me, and something akin to white noise sizzles through Jasper’s mind. I’m more than familiar with that high frequency whooshing sound because it just so happens to be the same response most men have to anything sexual. And that’s one bit of telepathic info I’m sorry I’m privy to.

  “It’s just as good as I remember,” I’m quick to assure him. “And yes, the case. Do we know if Chris is at the plant today? I think we should speak to him.”

  “He is.” His left brow lifts high into his forehead. “But it will be me speaking to him. I’m sorry, Bizzy. You and I both know he might be the killer. I can’t put you in that kind of danger.”

  “You said yourself it was a crime of passion. He’s not killing me.”

  “He might if he thinks you’re onto him.”

  “If that’s the case, he might kill you, too.”

  He gives a solid blink as if his exasperation with me was growing. “He won’t. I’m the investigating detective. Believe me when I say he will be on his best behavior in my presence.”

  “Ah-ha!” I’m quick to point my finger at him. “So, you agree that you’ll get nothing from him but a big hoax of a personality. That’s why you need me.”

  He leans in. “I don’t need you, Bizzy.”

  My eyes widen at the audacity.

  His mouth twits with disdain. And why did that just feel like a lie?

  Ha! “You do need me and we both know it.”

  “No, I don’t.” He shakes his head emphatically. “Because the last thing I need is another homicide investigation on my hands. Trust me. I’m a very easygoing person.”

  “I’ve yet to see evidence of this.”

  He’s right back to closing his eyes. “Okay. You may not see it in this instance, but I’m also protective of the people I care about.”

  “Aw.” I don’t bother to hide my sarcastic inflection. “You’ve known me for five sweet seconds and already you’re pulling the I care about you card.”

  “I care about you as a person. You’re the innkeeper. You have a very important position. A lot of people are relying on you. You have a loving family.”

  “Let’s not take things too far. They’ve been on their best behavior around you.”

  A soft smile bounces on his lips. “You have Fish. And she needs you. The last place anyone wants to see you in is the morgue.”

  A shiver runs through me.

  “Fair enough.” I give a quick glance around the vicinity. If Chris Davidson is here, then I predict I’m going to have an impromptu run-in with him very, very soon. Jasper can’t hang around the brewery forever. Besides, Chris and I are practically old friends.

  “I know what you’re thinking.” His serious, bordering on hateful stare never leaves his face. “You think I’ll run off to the station soon enough and you’ll have Chris all to yourself.”

  I gasp and hold my breath.

  My God, he’s just read my mind!

  My God, what if he can read minds?

  This is truly my worst nightmare, coming upon another version of myself in this cold and weary world and not having them disclose themselves to me. If he were just like me, the decent thing to do would be confess it—quickly.

  I glare at him openly.

  My, what big eyes you have. I lean in, trying to read his body for any kind of a reaction. What big ears you have. Again nothing. I bet you have a very big—

  His lips curl at the tips. “Bizzy?”

  “Ah-ha!” I slam my hand down on the table. “I caught you.”

  He cocks his head to the side, seemingly confused. He’s a darn good actor, I’ll give him that. But, then again, I bet they teach you an acting skill or two in Detective 101.

  “I was just going to say there’s a woman who won’t stop looking this way. I think I recognize her from the café this morning.” He nods behind me, and I turn to find an all too familiar blonde who has me groaning with grief.

  “Macy,” I mutter under my breath as my sister breezes over in a tight crimson leather jacket paired with long matching boots that ride up over her knees. She gives a little wave and speeds this way as quick as a poltergeist—and, believe me, I’d welcome an entire army of the dead rather than have to deal with my sister right now.

  “What a coinky dink.” Macy presses her finger into her dimple and turns it like a key. She’s always loved playing the ditz, but my surly sister is anything but.

  “Macy”—I sigh—“this is Detective Wilder. He’s working on the homicide investigation.”

  “Why hello, Detective Wilder. I believe I saw this exact same scenario playing out this morning at the inn.” Her fingers do a little dance between us. “So, are the two of you—”

  “No,” we both say it in unison, and I look to him as my mouth falls open.

  Jasper tosses a quick glance out the window as if he were growing tired of our non-relationship.

  I stand quickly. “Would you please excuse us for a moment?” I grab ahold of Macy and haul her out to the back patio where the brisk fall air is ready to greet us. “Are you stalking me?”

  Macy’s bright red lips contort in every shape. “What, you? No. I’m actually stalking him.” She turns back and waves to Jasper through the window. “Dad mentioned something about lunch at this place and, truthfully, I was hoping it’d just be the two of us.”

  “Macy, I can’t remember the last time we had lunch together.”

  She frowns as he turns back my way. “Not with you.” She gives my cheek a little pinch. “But I do love you just the same. Now tell me. Are you bedding that hottie, or do I have to do it?”

  “What?” I swat her on the arm. “Would you stop.”

  “I won’t stop,” she says it in her own sweet ironic way. “Bizzy, whether you like it or not, he’s a hot commodity. All I’m saying is that we should keep it in the family, if you know what I mean. We have prime beef real estate, and there are many, many buyers looking to land themselves a choice piece of—”

  “Okay, okay, okay.” I bat my hands over my ears. “Fine, yes. I’m interested.” But only in as much as to keep my sister’s fangs out of my way. That side of beef and I have some serious business to contend with, and I don’t need my sister mucking up the waters with her overripe ovaries. “He’s mine,” I say, glaring at him through the window, and he shoots me an equally dissatisfied look right back. “He’s ornery, and mean, and controlling, but yes, he’s mine.” I blink over at my sister. “Hands off. Got it?”

  She makes a face. “Fine. Have it your way. The next vampire that strolls into town belongs to me. And remember, the tall, dark, and brooding ones are usually better suited for yours truly.” She glances his way. “Both in and out of the bedroom.”

  The nice thing about Macy is that she speaks her mind so much, there’s very little left to read.

  “Come here.” She pulls me into a quick embrace, and that patchouli gone wrong olfactory offense hits me.

  “Word to the deodorant making wise.” I shake my head at her. “I’d buy an entirely new drawing board if I were you.”

  We head back in, and I wave my sister off as I resume my seat at the table, but Macy’s stilettoed feet have stalled in the process of exiting.

  “Goodbye, Detective Wilder.” She pinches a wry smile, and I can feel it coming. “It seems my sister has informed me the two of you are indeed on your way to coupledom.” My eyes spring wide. I’m one second from impressing the heck out of the detective next to me once he sees how efficiently I can carry out a homicide of my own. “Be nice to her. She’s the special one in the family.” She expands the sickly-sweet smile my way. “And no need to feel inhibited in the bedroom. Bizzy doesn’t kiss and tell.”

  “Okay,” I say, giving her a slight shove. “Oh, look, I think I see them towing your car away.”

  She waves me off. “Have fun. Call me!” she shouts as she makes her way out the d
oor.

  I turn to face Jasper. “Before you say a word, or gloat, or vomit, I just want to add that I was forced to tell her those things or she would have meddled in our investigation.”

  His cheek glides up one side, and my heart begins with that erratic thumping again. Dear God. At this point I’d be fine with it imploding. Every part of my body feels like a traitor around this man.

  “Don’t worry.” A smile blinks over his face. “I won’t blow your cover. And you’re right. She won’t interfere in the investigation and neither will you.” He nods to my plate. “Your food is getting cold.”

  “So is my heart.” I spot a tall man with a heavy tan heading this way, chatting it up with the patrons as he makes his way over, and my mouth falls open.

  “How’s everything here? You enjoying the food?” He’s wearing an ear-to-ear grin. His hair looks a bit blonder than it did the night of the bonfire, but it’s him. It’s Chris Davidson in the flesh.

  “Everything is great,” I say and I can see Jasper shaking his head ever so slightly my way. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

  He inches back and does a double take at Jasper. “No, but I remember you, Detective Wilder. What brings you here? Did they find the killer?” His eyes widen a notch, and he looks genuinely concerned.

  “No.” Jasper smacks his lips my way. “I was just bringing my girlfriend in for a quick bite. I hear it’s the best place to eat near the station.”

  Something warms in me when he refers to me as his girlfriend, and I suddenly hate that part of myself.

  Chris bucks with a laugh and slaps Jasper on the back. “I can’t contest that.” He squints my way. “Hey, I think you do look familiar. But I can’t seem to place you.”

  “We met the night of the bonfire.” I shrug. Guilty as charged.

  The smile glides right off his face. “That’s right. You were talking to Rissa.” He takes a deep breath. “Kaitlynn was my life. It’s been real hell without her. All I can do is plaster a fake smile on my face to get through my shift here. And then I go home and stare at the pictures I have of the two of us. Whoever did this to her didn’t just kill Kaitlynn. They killed our future, our future family. Everything is gone, and nothing will ever be the same.”

  Jasper’s chest expands. “I’m sorry, Chris. I can promise you, I’m doing everything I can to catch the killer.”

  “Do it faster.” He looks my way. “What was Sammy telling you that night?”

  “Sammy?”

  “Sammy Walton. She was the brunette next to you and Rissa.”

  “Oh?” The girl who was hugging Sherlock comes to mind. “She was infatuated with my dog. His dog actually.”

  Chris nods as if he understood. “She’s a big animal lover. I can see her doing that. All right. Your meal is on me.” He looks to Jasper. “If you discover anything, anything at all, call me, find me. I don’t care what time it is. I want to be in the loop.”

  He backs up, and I’m filled with panic at the thought of him slipping away without having enough time to interrogate him properly.

  “Oh, Chris,” I say and Jasper is right back to blinking hard. “I just want you to know that Rissa mentioned Kaitlynn’s cosmetics line to me, and I’ve agreed to sell it at the inn as sort of a tribute to her.”

  His lips purse as if this didn’t please him on some level. “That’s very kind of you. I’ll stop by some time and check it out. I know she would have gotten a kick out of that. Take care.” He speeds off without bothering to stop off at any more tables.

  “So? What did you think?” I lean in, my gaze still set on Chris until he disappears down a darkened hall.

  “I think you’re smooth, and crafty, and far too dangerous to bring along on any more adventures.” Jasper hooks my gaze with his own. “I’m assuming you’ve already spoken to Jeannie Branch.”

  “You’d be wrong. You know what they say. If you assume, you just might make an ass of u and me.”

  A thunderous laugh bounces through his chest. “Oh, sweetie, you’ve already done that.”

  “Don’t you call me sweetie.”

  “Why not?” His brows rise as if he were amused. “You told your sister we’re dating.”

  “If we were dating, you’d call me something far more endearing.”

  “Like Killer Bait?”

  I suck in a quick breath. “I am not putting myself out there as bait for some killer.”

  “So you think.” He leans in. “Listen to me, Bizzy Baker, and listen well—because this will be my final warning. Do not stick your nose into my investigation. I’ll reach out to Jeannie for you. She’s the next person on my list.”

  “I thought you already questioned all of the suspects?”

  “Briefly. But the investigation is ongoing.”

  “Don’t do me any favors. I’ll be talking to Jeannie myself. Stay out of my business affairs. I’ve got a spa to stock in remembrance of Kaitlynn Zimmerman. One of us actually knew her. One of us actually cares enough to do anything to find her killer.”

  And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of. He tilts his head my way.

  “I’ll see you back at the inn.” I rise to leave and collect my purse.

  “You didn’t finish your meal.”

  “I’ve lost my appetite.” I take off back into the icy autumn afternoon and take in a lungful of air—a pleasure Kaitlynn will never have again.

  And I’m determined to make sure the killer won’t enjoy the pleasures of the free world for too much longer either.

  I glance back at the eatery, only to find Jasper standing outside the establishment with his hands buried in his pockets as he watches me from behind.

  Our eyes lock for a moment before we both turn our separate ways.

  Call me sweetie, indeed.

  No sooner do I get back to the Country Cottage Inn than I notice a text message on my phone.

  Hey, Bizzy, it’s me, Jasper. I hope you don’t mind. Fish gave me your number this morning. I pause to roll my eyes. It’s true. Fish wears my number around her neck and can freely give it to anyone. Just spoke to the coroner. Kaitlynn had her engagement ring on at the time of the murder. Just thought you might want to know. It seems you left before you could give me her things. Please don’t tamper with them. I’ll collect them soon.

  Kaitlynn was wearing her engagement ring.

  Huh.

  That ring in her purse must be a cocktail ring then. Whatever it is, I’m certain it’s a serious piece of jewelry. Maybe she was about to hock it to help with her new business? Rissa said she borrowed money from her mother. Maybe she needed more.

  I’ll have to surrender her belongings to Jasper. That much is true.

  But not before I have one more look at everything.

  Chapter 10

  True to his word, or his threat as it were, Jasper showed up at around seven and asked for Kaitlynn’s belongings. I shoved the bag at him without a peep of protest. The fact is, I didn’t need to protest. I meticulously took each item out and took a picture of them with my phone. I wore gloves the second time around to rifle through her purse. Not sure why, but it felt like the official thing to do before the big surrender.

  Jim, the mailman, strides over to the front desk of the inn with his perennial cheery grin. We’re always the first on his route, so we get our mail early.

  “Top of the morning to ya!” He drops the mail into the bucket behind the counter as he’s done a hundred times before.

  “Right back at you, Jim.”

  He mock salutes me as he heads on out. Pleasant lady. Simply the best.

  I smile as I hear it. Jim has had that same thought about me each and every time he sees me—and since it’s not bad nor marred with innuendo, I don’t mind one bit.

  Jasper didn’t come in for breakfast this morning. I spotted his truck speeding away with Sherlock in the passenger’s seat just as I was leaving to head to the inn.

  All right, so I felt bad how we left things. I don’t know why that is, but it�
��s true. I swipe the mail from the bucket and quickly sift through it, putting the important bills to the right and dumping the plethora of ads and realtor notices promptly into the trash. There’s a handful of letters for our guests, and I file those into their proper slots.

  It’s Nessa’s job to deliver them to the guests’ suites, but I always try to make things easy on her by organizing them by room number.

  Emmie sweeps by from the café and gives a quick wave as she heads for the door.

  “Whoa, whoa! Where are you headed? The café is that way,” I tease. I’ve got a sinking feeling I’m not going to like her answer.

  Here we go. She flashes that killer smile my way.

  “Would you believe I feel a horrible bout of the flu coming on?”

  “No. Try again.” I wince over at her. “This time with the truth.”

  “Fine.” She cinches her purse over her shoulder as she speeds my way. Her dark curly hair bounces over her shoulder in coiled springs. “Before I get to the good part, I want you to know I came in extra early and made up all the croissants, apple walnut cinnamon rolls, and Danishes anyone could want. I made sure all the cookies and brownies were well-stocked, and I’ve already put in the weekly order so you won’t have to do it. We have two extra staff on top of our regular staff manning the fort, and I know how much you hate our labor to be on the uptick, so I’m taking one for the team and taking the day off.”

  “Good. Because as soon as Nessa and Grady show up, you and I will head over to see Jeannie Branch to place an order for Natural Beauty products so we can stock up the spa.”

  Her lips crimp with disappointment. “I’m sorry to break it to you, Biz, but I can’t go. I told Grayson I’d go with him to the orchard this morning. We’re going on an apple picking date.”

  “Can’t you reschedule?”

  “No can do. His boss at Sweet Cheeks wants only the freshest ingredients, and he’s in charge of bringing in a bushel this afternoon. I promised I’d help. Besides”—her head bobbles from side to side—“we crested second base on our last date. I think this is going to happen for us this time.”