Page 61 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

While she hadn’t removed Tex’s family from the suspects’ list completely, she’d moved them lower. The same with Jennifer, after talking to people who knew her and verifying the inheritance angle.

Rachel’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel. The next part of the investigation was more difficult. Over the years, she’d met up many times with Irene for lunches and dinners and bonded somewhat at the shooting range because neither of them were for shopping or getting nails done except for hammering nails into the wall. Rachel still had a feeling Irene was hiding something from her, and Rachel squirmed in her seat as much as the seat belt allowed. Was that something as huge as thefts and attempted murder?

Frowning, she pressed on the accelerator and passed a truck. Just because Irene was related to the family that once owned the heirloom necklace didn’t mean she’d have someone steal it. And she had no connection to the other thefts so far. Or was Rachel’s admiration of the woman affecting her judgment?

Investigating Roger Leverett was way less heartbreaking, but she’d hit a wall there. Mr. Leverett hadn’t visited Fred Sersen again. But he visited Gamblers Anonymous regularly and reconciled with his wife, who was rumored to have paid off his debts. Oh the intensity of a woman’s love.

Eager to get to her mice, Rachel passed another vehicle. She leaned forward, staring into the darkness. She’d spent countless hours watching the recording of the charity gala where Anne Tandy had lost her ring. Rachel had investigated every person who’d stood close to Mrs. Tandy that day. One of them was Mr. Leverett, but something felt strange about that coincidence.

And when it came to coincidences...

The necklace seemed like a crime of opportunity, but was it really? Something didn’t add up. How could the thief have known Vanya Patel would be close to the door at the time the two cameras overlooking the spot stopped working? The thief had worn a disguise, but the guards had stated nobody resembling that description had left during the time slot she’d provided.

Could Vanya have waited for the thief there, the robbery prearranged?

Rachel took the freeway exit when her hands-free phone rang. Even though she’d ignored Tex’s calls since she’d suggested taking a break, a part of her hoped he’d call again.

She ignored a sting of disappointment at Kennedy’s name. “Hello, Kennedy.”

“How are you holding up? Sorry to call you at this hour.”

“No apology needed.” Knowing her friend cared softened something inside Rachel. She took the left turn. “I often stay up late. Um, usually in someone’s else driveway.”

“Thanks. But you didn’t answer my question. Are you okay?”

“Trying to be. Please, don’t worry about me. I’ve been through worse.” Good. She somehow kept her voice chirrupy.

Kennedy’s voice softened. “Despite your difficult upbringing, you never played the victim card. Never asked for anything. You achieved everything yourself. But I want you to know that, if you ever need anything, please know I’m there for you. Just because you’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.”

Grateful tears stung Rachel’s eyes. She slowed down behind an SUV. “I know.”

“Not because I see you as weak. I don’t. But because as your friend, I care for you.” Then Kennedy chuckled. “Well, and because I like to see myself as kind.”

“That’s because you are.” Rachel’s heart warmed.

“I know it’s late, so I’ll let you go. Praying for you.”

Something from what Kennedy had said needled Rachel as she pulled up into the parking lot near her apartment complex.

What was it? She checked her surroundings before exiting the car, then dashed to her apartment. One of the lanterns didn’t work, as always. She had the house key ready and entered the apartment fast, then locked the door behind herself.

“Hello, my lovelies. I hope your day was wonderful.” She greeted her mice.

They squeaked in response, and Button rose on his hind paws. She smiled as she always found their tiny front paws with little fingers adorable.

“No escapees, right? So far, so good. I haven’t solved the jewel theft puzzle yet, so I’m still walking through the maze. But hopefully, I’m getting closer.”

Button squeaked again.

“I said maze, not mice.” She often ran her ideas by them. They were fantastic listeners. “It’s more complicated than I’d expected. And my experience is in collecting information and evidence, not drawing conclusions from it. But yeah, I know. Excuses, excuses.”

As she brought them fresh food, what had bothered her finally clicked, and she froze in place.

Kennedy had said, “You never pulled the victim card.”

“How come I couldn’t see it?” Rachel came out of her stupor and handed the mice their vegetables.

They were too busy eating to answer. Not that she could understand their language, anyway.

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