Page 62 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

“I was looking at all this wrong. I was investigating the wrong people.” She slapped herself on the forehead. The mice stopped eating as if scared, then discussed it among themselves, probably complaining to each other, and resumed their late dinner.

“Or am I mistaken about my new suspicions?” she asked Button.

The idea that formed in her head did sound preposterous. She might be jumping to these conclusions simply because she’d walked into a wall with her other theories too many times. But any new hypothesis was worth investigating, especially if it helped Tex.

Just because they weren’t together anymore didn’t mean she’d stopped caring about him. Her love wasn’t a faucet that could be turned on and off at will.

Her heart fluttered as she refilled the water bottle for her mice. If anything, her feelings only seemed to increase, though it didn’t make sense.

Energized by a fresh surge of adrenaline, she turned on her laptop and lowered herself onto the carpet near the cage. She carefully opened the cage and placed her hand there with an offering of a treat. As often happened, only Button was curious enough to climb onto her hand for the treat, then onto her arm and shoulder. Or maybe as the littlest and most often pushed aside, he was the hungriest.

“Okay, let’s see what we can find.” Things on the internet were limited and not always true, but it was a start.

Anne Tandy didn’t have much presence on social media, which was shocking these days. Rachel did find several articles about the lady’s visits to different parties. Not much else.

She frowned. “I’m trying to follow crumbs, but there aren’t many crumbs to follow.”

Button squeaked and looked around. He even turned around, his tail hanging over her shoulder. Then squeaked again as if disappointed.

Rachel sighed. “I meant, figuratively speaking.”

She fished her phone out of her pocket and debated calling. It was late, and besides, she didn’t like asking for help. Then she remembered what her friend had just told her.

When Kennedy answered, Rachel apologized for calling at night this time.

“Not a problem. Can’t sleep?” Kennedy sounded groggy. She used to have insomnia, but it sounded like she’d been asleep now.

“No. I just need some information. I don’t know why it couldn’t wait until the morning, either. What do you know about Anne Tandy? If anything?”

“Hmm. Let me see. She’s a fascinating lady with a love for royal history. I don’t know her well, but my mother mentioned her several times.” As a well-known socialite, Kennedy’s mother had been on the social scene not only in the seaside playground accurately known as Port Sunshine but also in Charleston.

“Do you remember what she said?” Rachel’s attention sharpened as she got up and cut herself some cheese. She shared it with her investigative partner. Sometimes Button accompanied her on stakeouts, as well.

“Hmm. Let me see. She said Anne Tandy loved to travel to Europe to tour castles. She’d bring back jewelry, usually with centuries of romantic history behind them. Not exactly royal jewels, but fascinating enough. She had quite a collection, all with a story attached.”

“Do you think she ever attempted to buy your mother’s heirloom ring?”

Kennedy gasped. “She did! Mom refused, of course.” She paused. “After Mom passed on, Mrs. Tandy asked me, as well, but I said it wasn’t for sale. Do you think that might mean...?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“By the way, about a week before the burglary, she was at the local beach with her pooch, and the pet didn’t feel well. So she stopped by Austin’s clinic.”

Rachel tensed like a cat before a jump. “Did Austin mention that you’d be away for the weekend?”

“He might have. You know how chatty he is. You don’t think that...?”

“I need to talk to Tex. Now.” Then doubt crept in. “Though the polite thing would be to wait until the morning. I can’t turn up at his apartment at this time of night.” But then again, when was she polite? She didn’t grow up learning noble manners.

“Tex often works until midnight. He’s sure to be at his office. Besides, I’m also sure he’ll be happy to hear from you at any time of day or night.”

Rachel hoped for the latter with all her heart. Longing stirred her again. “Okay. Thank you.” She tucked Button back in the cage and closed it. Her empty stomach demanded more than cheese, but she emptied a bottle of lemonade instead, her mind on the road already.

“Anything you need me to do? And please call me after you talk to him.”

“I will. And you’ve been super helpful already.” Rachel disconnected and called Tex. Three times. Every call went into his voicemail.

Her heart sank. “Is he asleep? Or is ignoring me?” she asked the mice.

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