Romancing the Gravestone (A Jane Ladling Mystery 1)

That, Jane had already learned. But one detail confused her. “What did so many women see in the guy?”

“I asked Conrad the same thing. He says the doctor mostly picked married women who were less likely to tattle, with the occasional single gal thrown into the mix.” Fiona leaned over and propped her chin on her hands. “Caroline learned the truth about his intentions at the same time the nurse discovered his philandering ways. She began plotting right away, spray-painting the fleur-de-lys on buildings and cars and posting on the Headliner anonymously to spread rumors about the gold. She figured more gold hunters meant more suspects. She even slipped specific information to Dr. Hotchkins, which drove him to dig up the grave on his own, hoping to keep the money for himself. Meanwhile, Caroline hid nearby and struck at the perfect moment.”

Smart. “After Caroline drugged me, she admitted she convinced Emma to break into my house. Do you know how they copied my key or what excuse she used to convince Emma to do it?”

“Apparently Caroline copied your key weeks ago. Back when you were a one-woman show, caring for an endless stretch of land without any security measures in place,” Fiona chided. “In her free time, she’s been casing the place, learning our habits. All very clandestine.”

What! “I never knew.” Never even suspected. And Jane (apparently) suspected everyone of everything!

“Don’t worry,” Beau said. “It won’t be happening again.”

“Of course it won’t.” Fiona came over to give his hand a comforting pat. “Now, where was I? Oh yes.” She rested a hand on her hip. “Caroline stopped coming once you installed the cameras. She convinced Emma that Dr. Hots was having an affair with you too, Jane, and that he’d stashed compromising photos and videos of Emma out here. A way to make the nurse more of a suspect.”

Well. No wonder Emma had been so rude during Jane’s appointment. “What about Anthony Miller? What part did he play?”

“He came with Emma to help her steal those photos and videos that don’t exist. Oh!” Fiona brightened and clapped. “Conrad asked me to do him a favor, and you’ll never guess what, Jane.” Without pause, she blurted out, “He asked for my famous blueberry pancakes! That’s the real reason I offered to cook for you. Not because I love you more than life itself.”

Joy washed over Jane. Could this night get any better? “Then why aren’t you cooking, woman?”

Her friend laughed and padded back to the kitchen to finish gathering the necessary supplies. “So? Tell me! Did anyone find any gold?”

“Not a speck,” Beau said.

“Well…” Jane nibbled on her bottom lip. “Caroline did discover some.” The PA’s exact words: I never should have told him what I’d found at the cemetery. “Whatever she found, she found before Dr. Hots dug up plot 39.”

Fiona stopped seasoning the pan, a stick of butter in one hand and a spatula in the other. “I’d heard the rumors, of course, but I never thought… I mean, if there was gold out here, your Pops would have ferreted it out. I swear that man could find a penny in a mud puddle.”

Beau leaned toward Jane, his gaze dead serious. “You require full-time security. And a dog. Or three. Big ones. The toughest street mutts at the pound.”

“Agreed,” Fiona said, wagging the spatula in her direction.

“Well, Rolex has gotta agree as well and I don’t think that’ll happen.” Jane shrugged, all what can you do? “Since my tours are such huge earners now, I can afford to pay someone a semidecent wage. Do you happen to know anyone who’s looking for—”

“No need to search,” he interjected, then tipped his glass to his lips and drained his tea. Ice clinked together. “I accept the position.”

“Sorry, but you don’t get the job.” She meant that with every fiber of her being. “You haven’t taken a cent for your previous hard work. You tear up my IOUs and refuse to give me itemized bills.”

His expression turned…what the heck was that look? He’d never radiated such determination.

“Very well.” Beau stood and, without another word, stalked off.

Um. What? Jane and Fiona locked eyes. “What just happened?” She didn’t know about her friend, but she kind of felt like a raccoon caught in a trashcan who’d just been illuminated by a car’s headlights.

“Will he come back?” Fiona whispered.

“I don’t know.” But oh, she hoped so. She really liked having him in her life.

But he did return several minutes later, with a pen and piece of paper in hand. He reclaimed his seat and slid the paper Jane’s way. Confused, she glanced down. What the…? A handwritten bill for services rendered. Except he’d listed only the benefits Jane had given him.

Things Jane Has Done for Beau:

Talks about setting him up on dates, but never delivers—$50,000

Time with Rolex—Negative 1 Million Dollars