Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Well, she’d known it was coming. “Is that all they have on him? Surveillance footage that doesn’t actually show him with drugs and his past?”
“Well, I think they are talking to a witness,” Tanya replied. “Pretty girl. She looks familiar. Jimmy is taking her statement right now and flirting like mad. That girl knows how to bat her eyelashes. I hope Betsy Ann doesn’t hear about it. She is one jealous bitch, and she shouldn’t be surprised since Jimmy was cheating on his first wife with her when they got together.”
Gigi frowned. “Wait. Jimmy? That troll managed to get not one but two women to marry him?”
Tanya waved a hand. “There’s not a lot to work with around here. Especially since some women get all kinds of greedy and take two of the best. Though I don’t fault her for it. If I was younger… Hey, Sam, you are looking good. Abby, we missed you at book club. How was the wedding?”
She did not have time for this. “Where is my dad?”
Then she heard the yelling.
She turned toward the office space behind the locked doors and then stared at Tanya. “Are you going to let me through? I promise what is about to happen will go down in Willow Fork gossip forever, and you will have a front row seat.”
“Tanya, maybe we should talk about this before Olivia goes in,” Papa said.
Tanya hit that button before he could get the last of the words out. The light above the door went green and clicked open. “Sorry, Sam. You know I think you’re a beautiful angel of a man who should get everything he wants, but I’m going with Olivia on this one. And hey, Gigi, have you thought about my great nephew? The last time you were in town I told you all about him. He’s got a degree and everything.”
Gabe stepped up. “She’s not dating right now.”
Gigi grinned as she walked through. “What he said. But thank you so much for thinking of me.”
Olivia was already halfway down the hall. She could hear them talking behind her.
“No one ever tries to set me up,” Miranda said.
“You don’t want to get set up with Gary,” her mom replied. “He’s a lovely young man but you are not his type. Now Gabe…”
“Is not dating either,” Gabe said. “Who the hell is this witness?”
Olivia was about to say she had no idea, but then her gaze caught on a woman sitting at one of the many desks. Her back was turned, but there was something about the way she held herself that seemed extremely familiar. Then she turned slightly and all doubt was removed.
“Jessica Fellows.” Olivia braced herself. “What a surprise to see you here.”
Jessica’s eyes went wide and watery, and she stood looking delicate and fragile. Olivia had to admit. She was beautiful. She was also a snake who liked to play games with her prey. She started crying in earnest. “Olivia, I’m so happy you’re okay. I saw what that man tried to do to you and I reported it immediately.”
Had she? “Jimmy, when were the police called? Were you in your normal spot on the highway behind the sign for GrabItQuick? You should have been roughly two minutes away. How did Garrett and Keane get by you?”
Jimmy stared for a moment and then looked down at the report. “Yeah, that call didn’t come in until you were already gone. You were probably at the hospital when her call came in. Keane called earlier. He told us he was taking you to the hospital. You know it’s weird. If he was kidnapping you, why would he call us?”
“Dumbass, he wouldn’t have,” Olivia shot back. “You arrested an innocent man. Again. You are racking up those frequent flyer miles.”
“Olivia, don’t take it out on Jimmy. He’s trying to do his job.” Jessica was crying but the tears were awfully pretty. Artistic. Like she practiced them in front of a mirror. “I know you hate me because I fell in love with a man you were dating, but I still care about you. You’re still a friend.”
Jimmy stood, looking Jessica over with new eyes. It seemed like he did have some instincts for his job. Buried. Really deep. “You told me you saw Keane put something in the drink and you called immediately. But the drug would take a few minutes to set in, and from what I can tell she didn’t get the drink until Miranda… I need to look at that tape again. I think we’re missing something.”
Jessica’s eyes flared, a bit of panic coming into them. Like she knew she was losing control but had no idea how to get it back. So she tried what always worked for her. She batted her eyes and lied. “I think I was in shock. I’ve never seen a crime before.”