Page 23 of Covert Chaos

My heart clenched. "My marina? No."

"She could be heading toward the town dock," Hattie said. "Or the Yacht Club."

"Or your café," Lucy said.

"Or my café," Hattie agreed. She paused. "She's slowing down. I think she's heading into shore at your place."

My home. My new life. Protectiveness surged through me. "Beau," I said quickly. "Pull in to the left of the marina. There's a trail through the woods there."

He hit the gas and did as I instructed. His boat was the fastest boat on the lake, and at full speed, we were at our destination within a minute. He ran the boat up onto the sandy shore, and I jumped out before he'd fully come to a stop. King Tut leapt and took off into the woods, which was fine, because they were my woods and we were home.

Hattie and Lucy hopped out after me, and I led the way through the woods, moving fast.

We didn't even wait for Beau, who was tying the boat up. What would she do to the marina? Burn it down? I didn't know, but panic was in my throat, clogging it up.

We reached the edge of the bushes by the parking lot, and I crouched down, scanning.

"There's a light on in the café," Hattie said. "That little wench is trying to steal my recipes!"

"We don't know which little wench it is," Lucy said. "Or if she's armed."

"I'm going in," Hattie said.

I caught her arm. "Give me a sec."

Beau ran up, panting. "What did I miss? Tell me now!"

I moved away, thinking, trying to put the pieces together. Emmeline? I hadn't felt a mean vibe from her. Nothing dangerous. I had nothing to go on as proof, but she felt like a woman who was trapped to me. Would that trap drive her to murder?

Maybe.

Rachel had been rude and unsupportive of woman power. But being mean and judgy didn't necessarily translate to murder.

"Mia's thinking," Hattie said. "Give her a sec."

"Whoever is in there, we need to get a confession," I said. "Or get her to try to kill us."

All three of them looked at me. "That second option doesn’t feel great to me," Lucy said.

"I agree," Hattie said.

Beau grinned. "I love the second option. I just need to be in place so I can record it. I've never actually seen someone try to murder someone. It will be great research. I vote for that plan."

Hattie smacked Beau on the side of the head. "Don't vote for something that endangers Mia. We love her."

"She's like her cat. Impossible to kill. It'll be great." Beau pulled out his phone. "I'm going to go get into position. Don't get her to attack you until I'm ready." And then he darted out across the dark parking lot and into the front door of Hattie's café.

"Wow," Lucy said. "He's a little crazy."

"A lot crazy," Hattie said. "Freaking mystery writers. Weird as hell, they are."

Would he really sacrifice me for research? He might. But after I was dead, he would feel much worse about it than he would be expecting to.

"It makes sense that I'd be here. It's my marina," I said slowly, thinking. "I think I'll go into the café as friends, and try to get on her side. Hattie and Lucy, you guys wait outside in case I need help."

"I wish I had my guns," Lucy said. "I never bring my guns."

"Mia has a hairdryer in her apartment. And some lamps," Hattie said.

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