Page 65 of Tangled Up In You

"No to both, but he said his sister Kim had visited Caroline and knew Phoebe. I'm going to head to the salon when I leave here."

"It doesn't sound like you think Ray is involved."

"My gut says no. He was forthcoming and didn't seem like he had anything to hide. But the one piece of the puzzle that keeps Ray in the picture for me is that Ethan left his rental car on the north shore. He also stole a car earlier, not far from that same location. I'll keep digging. You just concentrate on your opening."

"You're right. I need to stay focused." She paused as Drew came through the door. "Good morning."

He gave her a nod, then threw a stony look in Adam's direction. "Are you checking up on me?"

"No," Adam replied. "Not everything is about you, Drew. I brought Molly some flowers to celebrate."

"Oh, cool." Drew turned back to her. "Sorry I'm late."

"You're fine. We're only ready to open today because of you. I really appreciate your hard work, Drew."

He flushed a little, not looking her or Adam in the eye. "Do you want me to run the register?"

"Yes. And it looks like we have our first customers," she said, seeing two women looking through the window. "I hope they come in."

"You've got this, Molly," Adam told her.

She met his gaze. "I'm more nervous than I thought. I've worked retail before. I've worked in this store before, but this feels different. I have a lot at stake. I'm not used to having anything to lose."

"I understand. But you don't have to worry. It's going to be great."

"Thanks, Adam. I know you don't even believe in the efficacy of probably half the things I'm selling—"

"I believe in you."

"You do?" she asked with surprise.

"Yes." He opened the door and smiled at the two women. "The shop is open. You should come in and check it out."

She didn't know if the women were eager to shop or if they couldn't resist the sexy smile on Adam's face. But they entered the store, and she got to work on making her first sale.

Adam drove away with a smile on his face. He'd liked being able to send Molly's first customers into her store. He'd also liked how happy she'd been when he'd given her flowers. He might not believe in some of what she was selling, but he wasn't anti-wellness, and he'd already heard from Chelsea how much the tea had helped her morning sickness. He was just naturally suspicious, and he preferred products that had gone through some sort of formal regulation.

But Molly was also selling a lot of products that weren't medicinal. He'd seen books, yoga mats, exercise balls, mental brain-teasing games. She'd really expanded the idea of health and wellness, and she was just getting started. He was more than a little impressed and even a bit surprised at how organized the shop was. Molly seemed more like a wing-it kind of girl, but the store had a structure to it, and he appreciated that. He hoped she would be successful. She was trying to build something for herself, and that was never easy.

He also liked the way she'd stood up to Charles Weatherly's attorney, but he wasn't at all happy that there might be a missing three-million-dollar diamond hidden somewhere in Phoebe's belongings. That put a target on Molly. He didn't know if Weatherly had hired someone to get the diamond before trying a more legal approach, or if there were other individuals who also knew about the very expensive gem.

A short time later, he parked and walked down the street to the hair salon. A young woman greeted him as he entered.

"I'm looking for Kim Collins," he told her.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No. I'm Detective Cole. I just need a few minutes of her time."

"Okay. She's in the back. I'll get her."

A few minutes later, the receptionist returned with a blonde woman, who, despite the warm weather was dressed all in black. She was very thin, with a hard edge to her face.

"I'm Kim Collins," she said. "What can I do for you?"

"Can we speak somewhere private?" There were only a couple of people in the salon, but he knew how fast gossip flew around Whisper Lake.

"Will outside work?"

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