AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jane gulped. Perfect? Yes. But could she do it? Fiona wasn’t wrong. It could be the most important gift Jane had to offer. A true sacrifice of defenses, vulnerabilities, and fears.
Admitting to herself that she loved the man had taken months of mental and emotional gymnastics. A private gut-punch to the curse. Uttering the words aloud would intensify the battle. How could it not? Her relationship with the lawman was soaring to the next level.
But the man accepted the realities of the curse, and he deserved to hear how deeply her feelings ran. She shouldn’t hide it. Hadn’t her anger kindled when he’d stayed quiet about the shooting? The words she’d tossed his way resonated now more than ever: You don’t pick and choose what’s good for me like I’m a child.
Wasn’t that what she’d done to him every time she’d broken up with him?
Yes, Conrad deserved better from her.
To her surprise, Tiffany reached over and patted her hand. “Look. That man adores you. It’s clear to everyone who watches you guys interact. If you two can’t make it, I might as well give up on finding happiness with a smoking hot curse breaker of my own.”
How could Jane allow Tiffany to experience such a dismal fate? “I’ll think about it,” she rasped.
“Excellent.” Fiona passed out plates.
Though her stomach was in knots, Jane selected a cucumber sandwich, a couple of meatballs, a veggie roll, and another three cucumber sandwiches. Her dear friend had worked hard to provide these snacks. No reason to waste them.
After she’d cleared her second plate, her cell phone rang, Conrad’s face and name appearing on the screen.
Her heart started thudding. She left the girls laughing and stepped away to answer. “Hello Officer Inspector Detective Special Agent Ryan.” One of her favorite nicknames for him. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“There is indeed, pancake.” One of his favorite nicknames for her, used only when he was in a top-notch mood and feeling extra affectionate. “Are you available to come to the station? I have news.”
News? For the case? The holiday? What! She gulped. “What kind of news?”
He chuckled. “Come and see for yourself.” Then the wretched, darling man did the unthinkable: he hung up on her.
Jane marched to her friends, explained what happened and, as they laughingly bid her goodbye, gathered her things. She made the drive to the station in record time without speeding. Much.
Conrad waited for her in the lobby. As soon as she entered, he strode over, smiling. Her heart thudded.
“What’s going on?” she rasped.
His smile only widened as he clasped her upper arms. “I wanted to tell you in person. We’ve located Tom. A victim of his blackmail came forward and told us where he was hiding. Barrow arrested him and charged him with Deputy Gunn’s murder. Additionally he’s being questioned about the attempt on my life.”
Different sounds left her. What! “That’s amazing! Was Oliver found, too? And what is Barrow’s smoking gun?” Before, the agent had insisted he needed stronger evidence.
“Thomas created a passport and driver’s license for Oliver, intending to start over somewhere else using his brother’s identity. He also had in his possession three small plastic packets of the same drug that killed the deputy, either to use or sell. Our current theory is that the deputy discovered his plan to disappear while investigating the Gentleman, who Thomas invented to stay out of prison. Moreover, Thomas possessed the same caliber of gun used to shoot me.”
Wow, wow, wow. “Has Tom admitted to the crimes?” Was he, in fact, responsible? Or… Some of her excitement dimmed. Yeah. Or. This seemed perfectly right, but at the same time wholly wrong. Like a bow tied sloppily; it was done, but wasn’t pretty. Or was she merely hoping the case continued, so she could work and live with Conrad a little longer? Because who else could the killer be? Jessica? Denise, as previously suspected? The mystery man?
“He hasn’t confessed,” Conrad said, and sighed.
“Where was he hiding?”
“You were right. We found him at another blackmail victim’s home. A woman in Atlanta. He refuses to speak with anyone but his attorney. Barrow is certain he’s the Gentleman and just as convinced we’ll get a conviction.”
“And you? What do you think?”
What did Jane herself think? The initial doubt was only growing. The completed puzzle just didn’t seem to fit.
Conrad stretched his neck. “Barrow isn’t wrong. We’ll definitely get the conviction.”
Had Conrad’s tone flattened the slightest bit? Did he not believe Tom was responsible? She shrugged. “I guess the case is solved then?”
“Looks like,” he said with a nod, his expression giving nothing away. “The threat of danger has ended.”
Oh, yeah. A part of her had indeed hoped to stay with him longer. Because right now all she felt was disappointment. “There’s no reason for me to spend another night at your place, I guess.”
