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Lawsuit aside, there was still motive. If Deputy Gunn had become sheriff—not that he’d had a chance of beating Conrad at the ballot box—he could have made the journalist’s life a nightmare. If Ashley was innocent and wasn’t on the Gentleman’s payroll, however, she was in grave danger.
“Before you guys showed up, I called Special Agent Barrow and Mr. Ryan. We have an appointment in an hour.”
“Good.” Until Jane’s gut recovered from whatever ailment currently plagued it, she’d give the crack reporter the benefit of the doubt. Because…just because. “You might not trust the authorities, but I assure you Conrad Ryan will never jeopardize your life. He’s honest, dependable, and trustworthy, and he’ll help keep you safe while we hunt this scoundrel.”
“Give me the okay, and I’ll put a security detail on you,” Beau piped up. “He’ll trail you when you leave this building and ensure you arrive home safely. He’ll even check your house and fortify any weaknesses.”
“I—yes,” the other woman replied in a relieved rush, nodding. “That’s a good idea. I was planning to sleep in my office since there’s a guard downstairs, so thank you. I’m not letting go of this story and plan to launch my own investigation. By the time I’m done, the Gentleman won’t be harming anyone ever again.”
Hey! That was Jane’s line. But no matter. Rather than boast about her success rate, she would simply solve the crime first. There was a chance the Gentleman might turn his murderous sights on the lawmen hot on his trail. Better nip him in the bud fast.
“Do you have any clues about the Gentleman’s identity?” she asked.
“Not yet, but I’ll start with those who’ve mentioned the mobster on the Headliner.”
Excellent. But Jane wasn’t inclined to rest solely on the reporter’s intel. She intended to ask Beau to speed up his digging. Maybe invite the boys to help. She also aimed to ramp up her questions for Thomas Bennett when she visited the Gold Star Lounge tonight.
“Thank you for your time.” She stashed the printed article and notepad in her purse. While this meeting hadn’t gone as she’d expected, she’d learned something, adding fuel to the fires of her determination. “I truly appreciate it.”
“Honestly, I planned to pump you for information while revealing nothing before I saw the letter,” Ashley said as they both stood.
“Then we had the same strategy,” she admitted ruefully.
For the first time in their acquaintance, they shared a small but genuine smile.
Maybe the all-caps texting reporter was guilty of Gunn’s murder, maybe not. If Jane had to render a verdict right this second, though, she’d say innocent, but she wouldn’t be satisfied. She’d have a better idea of the case as a whole after she spoke with Mr. Bennett.
“Before I go,” Jane said, “I wanted to ask if you’d interview Conrad for his campaign.”
“Certainly,” the reporter replied, a familiar gleam appearing in her dark eyes. “I’ll expect an exclusive, of course.”
“Deal. You’ll get twenty-four-hours. I can only hold back the other outlets for so long. I’ll have Conrad call you to set up a time.”
Jane and Beau exited the office and made their way out of the building.
“Yes, I’ll dig deeper and faster into the Headliner,” he said. “I’ll even get Trick’s help.”
He knew her so well. “Perfect.”
The moment they were inside his truck, her seatbelt secured, Beau firmly stated, “I don’t think you should work this case, Jane. It’s more dangerous than I realized. This new threat…”
Whoa. That was so not what she’d expected to hear. This was the first time the vet had ever pulled a Conrad and suggested she not do something. Always before, he’d been eager to help. “Let a possible crime boss win my town? Never. In fact, I’m going to double my efforts. I’m not sorry to tell you this, Beauregard, but nothing can stop me now.”
CHAPTER SIX
Thou shall never let your boyfriend forget he serves you first and the people second.
–Jane Ladling’s Campaign Companion Code
Preparation was the key to success. Jane crammed her purse with everything she thought she might need for an evening of investigating at the Gold Star Lounge. The notecards she’d peppered with hard-hitting questions for Mr. Bennett. Truth Be Told. Lip gloss. ID, cell phone, and a credit card.
Money-wise, she wouldn’t let herself spend more than twenty dollars. The cemetery’s trust left little money for anything but survival. Sometime she supplemented her family income with midnight tours and game night parties, but business had slowed since the last dead body was found on the premises.
Oh! A weapon! She should take a weapon. Considering she might come face to face with Deputy Gunn’s murderer, and said murderer might have an army of henchmen at his disposal, she should be prepared to defend Conrad’s very life.
But what could she use? Jane scanned her small, somewhat cluttered bedroom. Her gaze slipped over curtains held open by the ever-present cat hammock, the patchwork quilt in shades of lilac, purple and lavender that adorned her bed and the hats stacked next to the antique nightstand. Hats. Hat pins. Of course. She shoved several in the purse’s side pocket.
