Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Aiden placed his hand over mine, the warmth cutting through the chill. “We’ll talk to her.”
What good would talking do? “The stupid prosecuting attorney won’t believe her outfit went missing. This is getting worse.”
“Somebody’s obviously trying to set her up,” Aiden said.
My heart rolled over. He believed her—really believed her—even with the evidence stacking up like a wall. “My grandpa’s going to lose his mind.”
“I would,” Aiden agreed quietly. He turned toward Saber. “This is fascinating. Did you see anything else?”
“Yeah.” Saber fast-forwarded the footage. “The figure drops the dynamite and takes off, out of camera range. Unfortunately, from the angle of the camera, I can’t tell if the person came out of the shop or not. They’re not there, and then all of a sudden, they’re in the shot.”
I leaned forward. “Did you catch them anywhere else?”
“Not yet,” Saber said. “They disappear after that. There aren’t enough CCTV cameras anywhere else.”
“Shoot,” I muttered. My nerves hummed with frustration. “I’d love to see what kind of car that person got into.”
Saber leaned back, jaw tight, and clicked the remote. “Me, too.” The screen blinked once before going dark, throwing us back into the low light of the room.
Aiden exhaled and turned toward him. “What about the front of the O’Shea’s shop? Maybe somebody went in that way? Somehow got past the security, which is doubtful, and came out the back door? Maybe?”
“Couldn’t tell you.” Saber shook his head. “I’ve checked all the CCTV from the area. That’s all I’ve got so far.”
The rain outside intensified, rattling the windows and echoing through the hall. I rubbed my palms together for warmth. “I don’t see how the alarm didn’t go off.”
Saber winced. “I don’t either.”
I scratched my chin, the edge of anxiety tightening my throat. “Could somebody have gotten to the CCTV feed?”
“I don’t see how.” Saber clicked a few buttons, and the screen flared back to life, this time showing Nana’s shop. “The only blind spot’s here, on the east side. There’s one window that neither the bank nor courthouse covers. We checked it, and it’s fine. And even then, we’d still catch a shadow or something.”
Aiden tilted his head. “This doesn’t make sense.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Saber said quietly.
I sat back, the chair’s leather creaking beneath me. The faint scent of cedar polish and wet wool filled the air, mingling with the low hum of electronics. “None of this is helping Nana.”
Aiden’s hand tightened over mine. “No, it’s not. But we’ll figure it out.”
“How?” I threw up my free hand. “If we can’t catch anything on CCTV besides somebody in an outfit that she owns, then what? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“I know.” Aiden’s expression hardened.
I couldn’t catch a thought. “The dynamite was planted right outside the back door, right? We have a clear view of that.”
Aiden’s nostrils flared. “The dynamite could’ve been right inside. The blast took out that entire section, so we don’t actually know, and the CCTV we just watched didn’t help.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “This sucks.”
“I agree,” Aiden said, his voice low but certain. “We’ll find the answers, Anna.”
I wanted to believe him. I really did. But the air felt heavier now, filled with the sharp scent of burnt coffee and the constant patter of rain against the windows. Nothing added up, and dread sat cold in my stomach.
My phone buzzed against the table. I pulled it from my purse and checked the screen. “Oh, man.”
“What?” Aiden asked.
“It’s from Donna.” I swiped the screen open, my heart sinking further. “She says Jolene went to print early with tomorrow’s online edition of the Timber Gazette.”
Aiden groaned. “Just give me the headline.”
I stared at it, then said quietly, “Fiona O’Shea accused of food tampering. Felony charges to follow.”
The silence in the room deepened until the rain was the only sound.
I kept reading. “Damn it. Jolene mentions that I’m representing Nana and that Clark is dating Gloria’s niece. That my firm might have a conflict of interest.” How in the world had she discovered Clark’s girlfriend? I didn’t even know he was dating somebody until earlier today.
Aiden stared at me, his blue eyes darkening.
“What?” I asked, my stomach sinking.
“You might have a conflict, darlin’.”
No. Absolutely not. I wouldn’t trust Nana’s defense to anybody else but me. I sat back and crossed my arms.
I had to protect my grandmother.
Chapter 11
Morning had come too early, and now at work, I sat at my desk typing with a steaming latte next to me. The rain pattered outside, lightly tapping against the office windows. Even nature seemed restless, ready to shove winter out the door. The scent of lavender drifted around me from the assortment of candles and plug-ins Pauley had scattered throughout the office.
I still preferred the vanilla smell, but I didn’t complain. Pauley liked experimenting, and I encouraged his creativity whenever I could.