“Then you knew what she did on the side.”
He nodded.
“And you didn’t report her?”
“I meant what I said to you. It’s what people choose to do that matters, not their abilities. Isabella assisted those most in need.”
Collins’s angry shouts came from outside. “I should get going,” Brexton said. “Although I hope someone will solve Isabella’s murder. She deserves that after all the good she did.” He cast me a sideways glance. “I’ll see you later, Mary.” He moved toward the back door.
Another glimpse out the window revealed Collins racing after Reginald. Lizzy marched toward her car, appearing enraged. Looked as if things went poorly. I dashed to the front entryway to get to my ride before she forgot about me and drove off.
Frank picked me up at the store that night for our date. Luckily, none of my family members were around when he came. Not that I was ashamed of him. It was more that after Kitty’s disbelief, I wasn’t sure how they’d react.
“So, did you find anything?” He asked as soon as we started walking. I saw his anxious expression, his desire for good news. I had none.
“No, it was a false lead.”
“Who did you suspect?”
“Collins.” Lizzy hadn’t found out any new information. All Collins wanted to do was try to convince her to go on a date with him.
“Pastor Collins?” he said, shocked.
I nodded. “His name was in Isabella’s journal as a potential customer. But it turned out that he was watching his nephew that night and he didn’t actually have any knowledge about what Isabella was doing. It was Brexton that contacted her.”
His brows drew together. “The assistant pastor? Why would he be contacting her?”
“Pastor Collins’s nephew is a dragon shifter. Apparently he burned the pastor and needed medical assistance.”
Frank ran a hand over his face. “I don’t know what to think. This is a mess.”
I touched his arm. “We’ll figure this out. We will.” There was a nervousness to his step, no doubt heightened by the fact that the full moon was only four nights away. I was nervous about that, too.
I surveyed my surroundings, trying to find something to distract both of us. “Where are we going?”
He blew out a breath, the night air clouding around his lips. “You’ll see.”
We passed Regency Meadows Park, where the annual bake-off would be held in less than a week. The trees were their beautiful autumn colors, and someone had even set out a few canopies. We continued on. I checked the time. It was 8:00 o’clock. Most of the stores in town were already closed. We turned down a street of darkened shops.
“We aren’t breaking into another store, are we?”
Frank laughed out loud and my heart leapt to hear his deep rumble. I loved his laugh. “No, everything we’re doing tonight is legal.”
“Pity.”
He eyed me. “I see you, Mary Bennet. You act like this prim, proper, play-by-the-book person, but under that outward exterior is a rebel.”
I gave a shy smile. “I’m afraid you bring out the worst in me. Or the best, depending on your point of view.”
His grin widened, and he stopped walking. “We’re here.”
We were standing outside Mansfield Book Haven. My heart did a little jump but then I took in the sign on the door.
“They’re closed.”
He lifted a key. “I have connections.” He reached over and unlocked the door and held it while I entered.
I sucked in a breath.
