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Great! There’d be no marching straight to Ms. Katz’s office, as Jane had done last time. With a sigh, she tugged Beau to the building’s directory, pretending to study it.
“This won’t be as easy as I thought,” she admitted at low volume. They needed a distraction. “Quick, flex your arm. Do it!”
He immediately complied.
“No wait. This moment calls for unbuttoning.”
Without missing a beat, Beau unfastened his wrist cuffs and rolled up the sleeves. Muscles engaged, adding both definition and bulge to his arms.
“Very nice,” Jane told him, nodding her approval.
“So why am I doing this?” he asked.
She pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. “You’ll see.”
Turning on her heel, she led him toward the reception desk. A pretty brunette perched behind it, gaping at him. Excellent. The woman would be so besotted, she’d agreed to anything Beau asked. His good looks were such a great tool in her investigative arsenal. She might not have a fancy badge or access to high-tech equipment, but she had a sizzling hot friend, and that was far better.
At the halfway point, Jane nudged Beau with her shoulder. “Pretend you know how to flirt and charm her. Score us an immediate appointment with Ashley Katz. I believe in you,” she added.
The war vet gave her a girl please look. “You baking me another casserole if–when–I succeed?”
“Beauregard,” she said, batting her lashes at him. “I’ll whip up an entire feast.”
“Then you can consider this done.” In an instant, his every feature grew serious. His body hummed with purpose.
She almost felt sorry for the receptionist. The poor woman wouldn’t know what hit her. He was a mind-scrambler.
Oh no. Memories of his disastrous attempt at speed dating popped into Jane’s mind. Something they’d done while investigating the death of journalist Ana Irons. Jane’s smile slowly faded. The man may be hot enough to fry your brain, but he had zero skills in the romance department.
No matter. She would run interference if he veered off track.
“May I help you?” the brunette asked, fanning her cheeks.
Beau smiled sweetly. “Ms. Ladling and Mr. Harden to see Ms. Katz. We have a 9:30 appointment.”
Jane opened her mouth to help him, only to go quiet and jerk her gaze to his face. An appointment? This wasn’t a ruse?
His smile widened. “Ashley called me to ask about the crime scene,” he explained, “and I snagged her first available slot.”
She snorted. Just for that… “His name is Beau. He’s single and ready to mingle,” she told the receptionist. “What’s your name, and are you single?”
“Oh. Um. Bonnie. Bonnie Happly. Y-yes. I am.”
Beau offered Ms. Happly a soft smile. “I apologize for my friend. She’s nosy.”
This is for your own good, bud. “He doesn’t know it, but he’s ready to settle down with the right woman. Though be forewarned. He might be hung up on a very special lady who—”
“I’m not hung up on anyone,” he insisted with a nervous laugh.
Liar! He missed Sora, guaranteed. Maybe Jane should call her. Or invite her to the upcoming feast.
Hold up. Had Beau expertly manipulated Jane into planning an event and returning the beautiful heiress into his orbit, allowing him to see the object of his affections while maintaining his innocence?
Well played, Harden. Very well played.
“That’s, um, wonderful for you.” The receptionist nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’ll let Ms. Katz know you’ve arrived. Please go on back.” With a shy smile aimed at Beau, she handed each of them a visitor’s badge, then waved to the security guard at the gate.
“You’re the one who’s welcome,” Jane muttered to Beau as they walked away. “Conrad and I are happy to double with you and Grace. But when you fall in love and get married, I expect your firstborn to bear my name.”
“Yep. A brat,” Beau said without heat, giving his head an exasperated shake.
She fluffed her hair. “Thank you. I try.”
The guard checked their IDs and allowed them to go through the metal detector. They continued down the hallway until reaching Ms. Katz’s door. Jane took a second to focus before mimicking Conrad and rapping the entrance twice. One must be at her best when dealing with a second nemesis.
“Enter,” Ashley called, and dang it, she sounded prepared. Overly eager even.
Deep breath in, out. I can do this. Jane marched inside, determined to get answers.
Beau followed her in and sealed them within.
“Hello, Jane,” Ashley said, queen of the world behind her desk. She’d secured her hair in a knot on the top of her head, with a few curls hanging free of the clip. In a tailored beige blazer over a burgundy top, she exuded elegance and polish. The only exception was the tension marring her bold features.
“Hello.” Not much had changed since Jane visited last November. The white board had been moved closer to the bank of monitors displaying the current goings on with various Headliner message boards.
