Page 37 of Little Shattered Dreams

He laughed. “I can’t imagine he’s getting anywhere with you.”

“He’s gotten farther than you’d think.”

“Tell me more about the woman.”

I filled him in on everything that had happened so far. He wasn’t surprised to hear I’d wrapped myself up in a new case when I was supposed to be having a relaxing vacation.

“Is there anything I can do on my end?” he asked.

“Simone and Hunter are here with me. We’re good.”

“Are you sticking around there for now?”

“Until I find out what happened, yes. I thought about coming home and working the investigation from there, but I need to be here. I have a feeling the person responsible for Quinn’s death is also here.”

“Does everyone know you’re working the case?”

“I believe so, and someone isn’t too thrilled that I’m poking around.”

“What do you mean?”

“A note was left on my door with a warning: if I stay out of their way, they’ll stay out of mine.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

I knew he wouldn’t.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”

“Is that a promise?”

“It’s a promise.”

“I know what a risk taker you are, but you’re also smart. Keep your eyes open, look after yourself, and watch your back.”

I planned to do just that.

CHAPTER17

I slipped my gun inside my evening bag and changed into a black 1930s-era dress. It was made of silk and rayon and had a drapey neckline. It was over the top for a place like this, but I’d been wanting an excuse to wear it for months.

On the way to the dining hall, a rustling in the bushes nearby startled me. I first thought for a moment someone was crouched back there, watching me. But as I neared the bushes, a large black cat came prancing out, staring up at me like I was trespassing on its property.

I breathed a sigh of relief and entered the dining hall ten minutes early, hoping to see my mother and make up for my tardiness at lunch. She could be a pain at times, but I never doubted her love for me, and I supposed I cared more about pleasing her than I liked to admit.

Simone and Hunter were already at the table.

I sat down, and Simone wasted no time jumping right in. “Let’s talk all things murder before everyone else gets here.”

“All right,” I said. “Did you get the chance to go over the surveillance videos?”

“I did.”

“And ...?”

“There was a woman who showed up at the front gate. She spoke to Quinn for a while and then left.”

“Her name is Jane,” I said. “Calvin told me Quinn almost left the retreat last night. What else did you see on the footage?”

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