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Half rebellious, half afraid of being ticketed for a cell phone violation, she whispered, “Repeat what you just toldsome details”

Her friend sighed “Why don’t I stick to the highlights? An hour ago, a distraught Eot a call from so questions about her She demanded to knohy I demanded to knohy she cared, and she stomped away”

A quick double check Okay, yes Jane had logged the pertinent details “That wouilty”

“Agreed The answer doesn’t always need to be complicated That’s what I always say, anyway” A pause “Are you about to see Conrad?” Fiona asked, her dead-serious tone replaced by amusement

“In a ue over her lips “In fact, I should go Don’t want to be late”

They hung up, and she stashed her phone but kept her trusty notebook and a pen in hand

Jane slipped from her spot behind the plant and moved to the reception desk Nervousness and excitement battled for domination in the arena of her mind Soon, she would kick off Operation Killer Bait

Mission Make the Cat Nabber Pay?

Ghost Tour Takedown?

Burial Bust?

Or shot of the batch?

Which codename would Conrad prefer? Or had he already selected one?

After she showed the receptionist her ID, she received a visitor’s badge and a wave toward the correct path

A woh, and okay, yes, she had a little hop in her step as she strolled the distance She’d chosen a floral fit and flare with spaghetti straps that Grandma Lily had made for her A special occasion dress What was ht also dabble in breaking and entering?

Finding Conrad’s door open, she sailed inside He leaned against the corner of his desk, his arerly) for her?

Different parts of her fluttered He looked good Better than good Dark hair in disarray, whiskey eyesthan ever as they slid over her A new five o’clock shadow dusted his jaw Too distracted to shave this ?

He’d already removed his jacket, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves The tattoos drew her gaze She’d never let herself study theht, why not? The ures and rainbows and weirdly shaped anies res Were they?

Who had drawn thees mean to him?