Page 26 of The Rancher's Vengeful Heart

Lucius hadn't even glanced at the folders when he picked one out, and of course they just had to end up with the one case that looked like it was designed for Junior Detectives...Preschool Version.

"The Case of the Time Traveling Thief." Tassy managed to smile brightly after reading the case title out loud. "This is so, um, unique!" She flipped the folder open and went on reading.

Greetings, detectives, and thank you for visiting us from the future!

Her eyes widened. Did this mean she and Lucius were also time travelers? She didn't see that coming at all, and her curiosity was definitely piqued.

Last night, Lord and Lady Cabbage held a party in their townhome. One of their guests, Lady Pumpkin, had fallen asleep in their library. Upon waking, she realized her pearl necklace was missing, and authorities were immediately informed.

Our preliminary investigation has narrowed the list of suspects to these three individuals who were seen entering and leaving the library within the period of time the theft was likely to have taken place.

We have reason to believe that one of them is also from the future and that the stolen necklace will be used to disrupt the time continuum.

Lucius could no longer keep his lips from twitching. Tassy was shifting restlessly from one foot to another by the time she finished reading the case file, and she was practically skipping in glee as they followed Constable Dill down a hallway lined with framed old maps and various illustrated charts of the human body.

Constable Dill opened one of the doors to their right. "Please have a seat, Your Grace, Miss Bautista. I'll have the first suspect with you shortly."

Lucius shook his head at how his Tassina was unable to sit still while they waited for the constable to return.

"Nervous about handling your first case, Ms. Bautista?"

"Oh, please. Speak for yourself, Your Grace," Tassy said airily. "I can solve this case even with my eyes closed."

Never had he encountered a woman so eager to defeat him, and the fact that she believed she truly stood a chance was rather...cute.

Foolish, too, of course, but incredibly cute.

Tassy offered her hand. "May the best detective win."

He took hold of her hand, but just when she thought he would give it a shake—-

"I think what you mean is congratulations."

Tassy had no chance of replying, with Lucius suddenly sucking on her fingers.

Aaah!

Her stomach tightened with desire even as she fought to yank her hand out of his hold. But just as she was able to free herself, she realized too late it was only because he had something more nefarious in mind.

"Y-You—-"

Tassy forgot what she had to say as he started kissing her hungrily, and her whole body shuddered when he started palming and squeezing her breasts, harder and harder until—-

H-Huh?

Lucius' kiss came to an abrupt end when he suddenly sprung back, and all she could do was blink.Why had they—-

The sound of footsteps outside the room brought Tassy back to her senses, and she could only gasp in outrage when she saw his lips curve into a smirk.

Grrr!

Did hekissher just to throw her off her game?

Lucius barely managed not to wince as Tassina kicked her under the table just as their first suspect entered the room.

"My name is Sir Forsythe," the elderly knight huffed as he took his seat. "It is beneath me to be investigated in this manner. I own properties all over England. Why would I bother stealing so paltry a thing?"

A thin pale gentleman was next to speak, and he nervously wiped his spectacles clean as he gave his alibi. "Good day, Detective. My name is Walt Cranberry. I'm but a lowly writer who was overjoyed when Lord Cabbage invited me to their home. I've always wanted to see their collection of books in their library, which many describe as one of the best in London. The whole time I was in the library, I was so focused on the books—-Monet, Shakespeare, and I believe there was a book about the Fall of the Roman Empire on the right. I even remember they were arranged in that manner, from left to right. Books were the only reason why I was there. I didn't even know someone else was inside."

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