No Gravestone Left Unturned (A Jane Ladling Mystery 2)

Bringing out the big guns—cars. It worked; Beau perked up, glancing up from his screen. “Do it. You’ll be glad you did if ever you’re running for your life and need a getaway vehicle.”

The woman licked her lips, not the least perturbed by his morbid response. “Maybe you can teach me sometime?”

“That isn’t a service Peach State Security offers at this time,” he said with a shrug.

Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless. No wonder he had no prospects. The poor guy needed Jane’s help more than she’d ever realized.

“Jane?” Gus yanked her attention back to him.

Focus! “Tell me more about Robby’s breakup. Hurry!” Mere seconds remained—

The bell sounded. Argh! The conversation had just edged in the right direction.

She made a mental note to visit Robby Waynes as soon as possible. “Let’s continue this discussion after the event, all right?”

“Uh...” His gaze darted. “They had a fight, that’s all I know. There’s no need—”

“I agree. There’s no need not to meet up after the event. See you then.” Since he hadn’t denied her invitation, she’d take that as a solid yes.

She moved on, plopping into the seat across from Beau, who immediately leaned into her.

“Don’t you dare say this is ridiculous,” she whisper-yelled at the same instant he hissed, “This is ridiculous!”

They leaned even closer to each other, so close their foreheads practically bumped. He glared at her, and she glared right back. His clean scent hit her, and it was much better than the thick layers of cologne she’d picked up from some of the others.

She canted her head toward the woman who’d just vacated the chair. “That girl basically asked you out on a date. A real one.”

His eyes widened in surprise. He settled against the back of his seat and spread his arms, a satisfied smile suddenly teasing his lips. “I told you I had moves.”

“Really? Because it seemed like you were tripping over everything she was putting down.”

He pursed his lips. “I’m here to keep us both out of jail, not get a date.”

“Why can’t you do both?” she countered.

Sighing, he massaged his nape. “How about this? If you’ve learned anything of value by the end of the night, I will work for free for a month.”

“You’re already working for free.” Imagine it. A chief security officer who labored for hours without a concern for his wages. It was a horror she had never expected to live. “I’ve slipped checks in your truck, but you’ve never even deposited them.”

“Then I’ll cash every single one of them if you’ve learned something of value as of this moment—that I don’t already know.”

Well, then… “Okay. Get this. There was a guy who used to come all the time, and he was super into Ana.”

Beau lifted a brow. “Correct. His name is Robby Waynes, and he stopped coming to the events after he and Ana broke up.”

“Yes, but did you know he’s related—”

“To Abigail Waynes-Kirkland. Yes. Someone else you accused of murder.”

“Two suspects for the price of one.” She folded her arms against her chest. “It might not be new information to you, but it is new information.”

“Robby is my hero right now, not a suspect. He ditched the speed dating. That kind of brilliance doesn’t mess up or frame well-protected gravekeepers.”

Don’t smile. It will only encourage him. “Did you know Slick Willy is—”

“Billy the mechanic. Yes.”

She shuddered. “How’d you figure that one out? I didn’t clue in until the third illicit hand caress.”

His nostrils flared. “The what now?” He narrowed his eyes in Billy’s direction. “I’ll take care of Slick Willy,” he told her with a flat tone.

Realization came. “You think he’s the most likely candidate for murder?” Had Beau forgotten Robby? And she hadn’t even mentioned Gus.

The buzzer sounded.

Jane groaned, exasperated on every level. “Start flirting for information like a good partner. Fiona and I could use some help carrying the team, thank you very much,” she grumbled at him, before moving on to the next.

Unfortunately, she learned next to nothing from the following two guys. Finally, though, she reached Tony. She hadn’t changed her mind: He was Sir Drinks a Lot, guaranteed.

“Well, well. We meet again. How special.” He reclined in his chair, all smug assurance. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his white button down and unfastened the collar. “Did Agent Ryan realize you were too much trouble to mess with?”

“Special Agent Ryan.” Jane didn’t bother playing her role with him. “And he thinks I’m just the right amount of trouble.” Probably. Still? “By the way, you forgot to mention you’d met Ana.”

He flushed and jolted upright. “I knew you’d bring that up, and I don’t think I like your tone. Did I know her? Yes. Did I like and admire her? Not even a little.” He drained his drink. “Did I murder her? No.”

“Why keep your association with her quiet then?”