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Jane: Please tell me you’ve heard something new about the killer. Anything.
NewsKat: Not yet, but I’m doing everything I can. I won’t let this rest, okay? Know that. We’ll stop this fiend one way or another.
Jane breathed deeper, feeling the warmth of support from an unexpected source. A friend, despite their past differences.
She closed her eyes and attempted to center. For the next however long, she had a captive audience. Christopher, a hero times two, possibly a co-killer, had interacted with all of her suspects. Despite her bombardment of emotions, she still had a case to solve. Right now, asking questions was the only thing she could do.
“To your knowledge,” she said, determined, “have Jacob and Abigail ever had a romantic relationship?”
Christopher cast a quick, confused glance her way. “You really think Abigail did this?”
“Just covering all my bases.” And yes, Jane did. The woman had a lot to lose if Conrad pinned the crimes on her. “So? Have they ever dated?”
Though his confusion intensified, Christopher said, “Maybe. They flirt with each other, and Maggie caught them kissing once, but anytime we’ve asked if they’re involved, they deny it. But I don’t think Abigail did this. She can be catty, sure, but she’s also thoughtful. When Maggie was sick, Abigail brought her Daisy’s chicken noodle soup.”
Sometimes the naivety of others astonished Jane. “That’s called a long con.” Abigail facilitated relationships for her future gain, not due to any sweetness in her heart. Had the socialite conspired with Jacob to bilk Mason of his money, then run away together? Had Abigail gotten greedy and decided to keep all the loot for herself? “What about you? Did you ever have a romantic relationship with Abigail?”
“No. I met her the same day I met Maggie. As you can guess, I only had eyes for my mechanic.”
“Has Maggie ever had a liaison with Jacob?”
“No. Gross. They’re related. Her mother is the mayor’s cousin.”
Jane’s eyes widened. Well, no wonder Jacob had smirked at her suggestion of a courtship. Still. This pointed to a deeper connection than originally supposed.
“There’s no way Maggie is the killer,” Christopher added. “I know that you two didn’t get off to the best start. I also know she can be abrasive at times. But that’s only because she has to be. Not many people take her seriously in her profession. Just trust me. She would never. Nor would Donnie. He might be weird, but he was too excited at the prospect of making a friend to harm someone.”
One fact didn’t negate the other, but Jane didn’t point that out. She hadn’t spoken a word with Donnie yet and until she did, she refused to rule him out.
To Christopher’s credit, they reached the hospital. Jane’s mind blanked on everything but Conrad. She threw off her seat belt and shot from the vehicle before her ex finished parking. He called her name, then shouted a goodbye, but she rushed across the lot without responding.
Wait. He wasn’t the one who’d called her name. She recognized Beau’s voice. Her friend caught up with her and planted himself at her side as she entered the lobby of the emergency area.
“Conrad Ryan was brought in by ambulance,” she bellowed at the receptionist, unable to temper her volume.
Thankfully, the woman understood and did some typing. “He arrived, and doctors are with him now. You won’t be able to visit until they finish.”
“Can you tell us his condition?” Beau asked.
She winced. “I can’t. I didn’t see him arrive and there’s nothing in his data. But if you have a seat, someone will get you when there’s an update.”
Jane’s shoulders rolled in. Beau wrapped his arm around her and led her to an area with chairs and a lone coffee table. A TV propped on the wall, playing an old episode of LOST.
“This is a good hospital. Conrad’s in capable hands,” her childhood best friend assured her.
Oh, how she needed to believe that.
The sliding double doors opened over and over, people coming and going. Fiona and former Sheriff Raymond Moore arrived and joined them. Trick, Holden and Isaac weren’t far behind.
Seeing Fiona’s beloved face propelled Jane to her feet and into the arms of her oldest friend. The other woman hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. “We’re gonna be so strong for him.”
Hugs abounded, the love and support comforting Jane in a way nothing else could have. Except, as hours passed with no word from physicians, her panic resurged.
Two deputies came gliding in, but they refused to share any information about any evidence found at the scene.
A doctor motioned for the pair soon after, and Jane nearly revolted as they headed back.
One minute passed. Two. Four. When would?—
