Page 126 of Family Jewels

She scrambled faster, but Zeus was on a good fifteen feet of chain and we’d started out at ground zero. I stepped between her and the dog, holding the broom out in front of me. He lashed out and grabbed the broom bristles in his mouth. I held tight as he started to tug, looking over my shoulder to make sure Neely Kate had backed up far enough. Then I released the broom and took off running, Zeus hot on my heels. I’d just reached the area outside of his reach when he made one last leap toward me. I let out a yelp as he took a chunk out of the bottom of my jeans.

Neely Kate pulled me to the side of the car, and we leaned against it as we caught our breath.

“Your dog was choking on a sock, Miss Mable,” Neely Kate shouted at the older woman. “How’d he get a sock?”

“That’s his damn toy,” the old woman grumbled. “And you ruined my damn broom.” Then she disappeared into the house without another word.

“You’re welcome!” Neely Kate called after her.

I heard someone calling my name—although it was muffled—and then I realized I’d put my phone in my pocket.

“Sorry,” I told Levi as I pulled it out. “I had to act fast.”

“So the dog was choking on a sock?” he asked.

“Yeah, it wasn’t our fault after all.”

He was silent for a second, then said, “I take it there’s never a dull moment with you.”

I could deny it, but what would be the point? “I have a knack for finding trouble. Sorry to bother you.”

“I helped you and Neely Kate save a life. I think that makes us superheroes. We should get ourselves some capes.”

Neely Kate laughed, although it was shaky.

“Feel free to call me anytime, Rose Gardner. My life could use a little excitement.”

I was beginning to think I could use a whole lot less.

Chapter 27

We pulledout of the Dyer driveway and were headed back to town when I saw Homer’s Jeep in my rearview mirror. I was worried he’d realize it was us, but he turned onto his drive.

At least one thing was going our way.

We made it to our three o’clock consult, but it took longer than I’d expected. We were quickly running out of time and were no closer to finding the necklace.

“What are we gonna do?” Neely Kate asked, sounding worried.

“I don’t know. Maybe we should confront Leah.”

“She’s not gonna admit to havin’ it. Maybe we should just tell Buck she’s got it. Then he can worry about the recovery.”

“But what if shedoesn’thave it?” I asked. “He could hurt her. Or worse. We can’t do that. Rayna might have kept it, and if she did, I don’t think anyone knew. Trixie sure didn’t, and I think she was Rayna’s closest friend.”

“Should we break into Leah’s house?”

I turned toward her. “Do you know where she lives?”

“She was livin’ with her boyfriend, but I think she moved out over the weekend. She’s stayin’ in a house with her cousin and two of her friends.”

“So there’s probably someone there,” I groaned. “It’s gonna be a little weird if we show up and start searching her room.”

“Then what are we gonna do?”

I thought about it for several seconds. “I think we should talk to Hugh Wagner.”

“What on earth for?”

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