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“Go straight to him. I love you, and I’ll be back soon.” Conrad backtracked swiftly, disappearing around the corner they’d just cleared.
Fighting the urge to follow him, she picked up the pace, eager to reach Beau. Had he seen her too? He stood there, looking left and right—aaah! Someone grabbed hold of Jane’s wrist and yanked her into an alley. She pulled back her elbow, ready to throw a punch.
“It’s me, it’s me,” the offender rushed out.
“Lucy?” Jane gasped, lowering her arm. Her body acted before her mind gave permission, and she hugged her former friend. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I’m glad you’re okay, too.” Lucy hugged her back, relief heavy in her voice.
The last time Jane had seen this woman, she’d opened her mouth as if preparing to scream. “You tried to warn me, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Easing away, Lucy launched into a swift pace in front of her. Gone were the pencil skirt and heels. Her dark hair no longer fell in an elegant cascade, but was anchored in a haphazard ponytail. But kindness still dominated her brown eyes. The same kindness she’d displayed in school.
Sitting alone in the cafeteria? Don’t worry, Lucy would plop right beside you. Your friends ditch you in the parking lot as a joke? No need to fret. Lucy always gave you a ride home.
“I wish I’d alerted you sooner.” Lucy kicked a rock on the uneven asphalt. “I didn’t think…hoped…”
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m good, and I’m grateful.” Jane bit back a smile because man, oh man, was Holden gonna be mad she’d found the former bank employee first. “Why are you here in Aurelian Hills? Returning to the scene of the crime is dangerous.” The fact that she’d stolen fifty thousand dollars of Emma Miller’s money hadn’t changed.
Lucy stopped pacing, glancing from an employee parking lot to a delivery truck parked at the rear entrance. Anywhere but Jane. “Being on the road was tough. The money ran out quickly and–”
“Whoa! You spent that much cash in less than six months?” Jane demanded.
Her friend resumed pacing. “The money wasn’t for me. I just…I needed a friend, so I came home. And besides, Cartier really misses Rolex.”
“Well, Rolex misses Cartier too.” Was Hannah the friend?
Lucy flinched, as if the news was too much to bear.
“You gotta give me more info,” Jane said. “Who or what did you need the money for?” Only one scenario made sense. “Is Cartier okay?”
Another flinch. “Cartier is fine. I desperately required the cash for a person I loved. I’ll explain some other time.”
Loved, past tense. Meaning that person had died? Jane’s chest squeezed.
Lucy glanced toward the parking lot again. Already planning her escape? “We don’t have a lot of time. Here’s what I know. I was living in the secret room at the Treasure Room. Hannah invited me.”
“Why would she do that?”
“We were friends. Mostly.” The muscles of her throat worked, her swallow audible. “Plus, I helped her with financing when no one else would. When I returned, I promised to take care of her taxes in exchange for secret room and board. The store was locked up, and we were tidying the shop in preparation for the book club. I’d gone to the back to grab specific jars of tea leaves. I heard a man’s voice in the secret room as I returned.”
Jane’s spine straightened. A male murderer then, not a female. Which meant the mayor, his son, the ex-husband, a hitman, or someone she hadn’t yet considered had done the deed. Or someone she had considered, then forgotten. Maybe someone new to town. Someone off like that Donnie guy. “Did you recognize anything about him?”
The other woman shook her head. “I snuck inside just in time to witness her death.” Tears streaked down Lucy’s cheeks. “As he rearranged the room, I stayed hidden. Then you showed up, and he hid. I didn’t know what to do. Didn’t expect you to enter… When I saw him sneak up on you, I reacted. When you went down, I ran, hoping to draw him away and find help. I knew I couldn’t overpower him.”
Jane’s blood flashed cold. “What can you tell me about him?”
“He’s tall. Fit, I guess. On the lean side. He wore gloves, so I didn’t get a look at his hands. Every inch of him was covered up.”
Tall and lean described both the mayor, his son, Mason and yep, Donnie too. “You didn’t recognize his voice?”
“He used some kind of vocal disguiser.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’m scared, Jane. Whoever he is, I think he’s after me. I feel like I’m being watched all the time.”
“You need to come in and talk with Conrad,” Jane told her. “He’ll keep you safe.”
“Safe? Hardly. Conrad will lock me up for taking that money,” she cried.
“Jane!” Beau’s frantic cry reached her ears, and her breath hitched.
