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“Just so we’re clear, you’re referencing Jacob Thacker, your neighbor, as well as the son of Mayor Thacker and Jessica Thacker?” Conrad asked.
Jessica Thacker, the woman in jail for shooting him and threatening Jane’s life. Huge motive for Jacob. Who just happened to be Maggie’s neighbor. How interesting.
“Correct,” Maggie said before refocusing her attention on Jane. “I admit I recognized your name before Jessica’s case. Chris mentioned you dated him a few years before me.”
“That’s right.” Play it cool. “Christopher came to my rescue so bravely at the tearoom. He stayed with me until the ambulance arrived.” He may have rushed in, thinking the injured woman mentioned via the phone call was Maggie, but his kindness had kept him by Jane’s side. And yes, okay, also his job. “He couldn’t stop singing your praises.” She seized the opportunity. “I hear we’re both writers.” Bam! Important detail added to the conversation.
Excitement sparked in Maggie’s eyes. “What do you write?”
“I’m still finding my voice and searching for the right critique group,” Jane said, thinking she remembered reading something similar somewhere, “but for the time being I’m pre-published, crafting a fictionalized version of my life and how I’ve solved some of Aurelian Hills’s most complex crimes. Your turn. I’d love to hear your book’s elevator pitch.” Man, she was nailing the lingo.
Interrogating suspects really was easier than the average citizen might think.
“I’m writing a series featuring a plucky heroine who fixes cars by day and solves crime by night. Very high concept.” Maggie grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, then wrote something down. “You should come to my house tomorrow evening at seven. I’m hosting a special book club meeting to honor Hannah.”
Jane almost shouted, “Yes!” Somehow, she managed to smile politely and say, “I will do everything in my power to clear my schedule.” But, um. Surely Abigail had mentioned her absolute loathing for Jane at some point. And then there was Christopher. Yet, Maggie had offered the invitation so easily. Did the gals want her to attend to further the game?
Maggie leaned over to hand Jane the paper. Ah. An address.
“You and Hannah were close?” Conrad asked, taking control of the conversation.
“Once. Then her ex-husband showed up during a meeting, and they fought about their kids. That’s when he met my friend Abigail. The two started dating. Hannah held grudges, and she never fully forgave me for refusing to get involved and kicking Abigail from the group. And no, I don’t think Abigail or Mason killed Hannah. They’re good people.”
Other than having great taste in speakers and terrible taste in friends, Maggie might be innocent. Emphasis on might!
Jane rearranged her suspect list. In the number one spot remained Abigail, however, where she would stay until proven innocent. Mason was second, the mayor’s son third, the mayor fourth, and Maggie now fifth. She might have jealousy issues, considering she hadn’t fought harder to invite Jane to speak at a writer’s meeting.
If Holden ever got around to finding Lucy, things would be easier. Jane could learn the identity of her attacker.
“—but I know nothing more than that,” Maggie said, and Jane realized she’d lost track of the dialogue. Oops.
“Why weren’t you at the grocery store with Abigail before the writer’s meeting?” Jane asked.
Surprise flickered inside Maggie’s eyes. Because Jane knew such a detail? “I was running late. Lost track of time while working on an Audi.”
Hmm. Plausible. But honest?
“Please call me if you think of anything that could help us find Ms. Thorton’s killer,” Conrad said, handing over his card. “No detail is too small.”
He stood, and Jane did the same. They headed outside without saying a word. Rather than crossing to the parking lot, he drew her along the sidewalk.
“We can talk about what we learned later,” he said, wrapping an arm around Jane’s waist to draw her closer. He’d grown dead serious. “Right now, I need you to listen to me. All right? I clocked the mayor twice this morning. He’s following us, and I’m going to catch him in the act. Beau’s office is two streets down. I know he’s there. Text him and tell him to go outside and wait for you. As soon as you’re in his orbit, I’ll backtrack to apprehend the mayor.”
The seriousness of his tone sent Jane’s heart into overdrive, but she obeyed without protest or hesitation, sliding her phone from her purse to send the message.
While Conrad steered her, she typed, 911! Being followed. Get outside. I’m coming to you.
Send.
“You’ll be safe?” she rasped.
“Always.”
Beau responded as they turned the second corner, with a straight shot to the Peach State Security Building at the other end.
Beaudyguard: Which direction are you dimint reinvent
Uh…? Had he texted while on the move? Jane squinted, searching for him. “He’s there!”
