Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
In fact, none of them had.
The police interview had only been as successful as it was because it was, well. A police interview.
We couldn’t really bicker during that.
Not for a lack of trying on my part, though.
I took a deep breath and got out of the car, then walked down the little path to his front door and rapped my knuckles against it before I chickened out. Three barks sounded from inside, and as the door swung open, the first thing I was greeted with was a big, wet, black nose.
“You have a dog,” I said stupidly, staring at said dog.
Noah smirked. “He keeps my grandmother away.”
“Is he going to bite me?”
“Nah. Apollo isn’t as scary as he looks.”
The German Shepherd sat down and looked up at Noah, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth, giving me a good view of his huge teeth.
For all I ribbed on Gwen about Tofu, The Walking Chicken Wing, I was marginally more cat person than dog person.
“I’ll take your word for it,” I said warily, finally dragging my attention away from the huge dog. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Now isn’t a good time.”
“It’ll only take a couple of minutes.”
He pressed his lips together and jerked his head. “Quickly.”
“I think Steph killed Declan.”
Whatever he was expecting me to say, I didn’t think it was that. “What?”
“I think Steph killed Declan,” I repeated. “I’ve been thinking about it and—”
“Oh, have you?” Noah asked with an edge to his voice. “Is that why my sister has been asking me almost daily if we’ve solved the case yet?”
“I don’t know, but I’ve been talking to Steph and—”
“Leave it,” he said firmly. “We’re handling it. You especially shouldn’t be getting involved in it. You haven’t been officially cleared yet.”
“That’s exactly why I should be involved in it! Did you really think I was just going to sit there on the off chance you all decided I didn’t kill Declan?” I shot back. “For God’s sake, Noah.”
“Yes, that is what I thought, and that’s what you should have been doing. You’re not a police officer.”
“Why won’t you even listen to me? I know what his will was. I know what she’s inherited. She has all the motive.”
“And you think we don’t know that?” He raised his eyebrows. “I know this town thinks the police force is incompetent, but that’s not the case.”
“If you’re so competent, why haven’t you solved it?”
His lips thinned.
“Just listen to me. She tells me things she’d never tell you, like how abusive he was and exactly what she’s inheriting. I just think—”
“I don’t care what you think, Charlotte!”
I took a step back. The edge to his voice held an anger I’d never heard from him before, and I swallowed hard. “Then I’m sorry I bothered you,” I said quietly, moving back again and turning around.
“No, Lottie. Shit.” Noah sighed. “I didn’t mean to—”
“What’s taking so long?” Kayla’s voice sounded from the doorway, and I closed my eyes, stopping on the path. “You. Why are you here?”
That’d be why it was a bad time.
“She was just sharing something she’d heard that she thought might be helpful,” Noah said.
“Why you?”
“Clearly an error in my judgement,” I said, turning back to them, and eyeing Noah before turning to Kayla. “I’m already on my way, don’t worry.”
“Why even come here?” she asked, pushing the poor dog back inside so she could step out in front of Noah. “Did you think you could just waltz back into town and pick up where you’ve left off? Just because his family seem to love you doesn’t mean he does.”
Wow.
No wonder Ash and Gwen didn’t like her.
Despite what Gwen said, I’d bet it really wasn’t just about the cottage pie.
“Oh, boy, that told me,” I deadpanned.
“Kayla,” Noah said tightly, but his eyes twinkled with a little something when he quickly met my gaze.
“No, you won’t tell her, so I have to,” Kayla argued, glaring at me. “He doesn’t care about you, Charlotte. Whatever you’re doing is horrid and desperate. Leave our family alone.”
Family?
My confusion must have shown on my face, because she wasted no time.
“Oh, you didn’t know? I’m pregnant.” A smug smile stretched across her face, one that said she’d won.
I didn’t know I was in a competition, but whatever.
It didn’t stop the sting of her words, though.
I looked from her to Noah, and he sighed, dropping his chin to his chest. I wanted to say something, but nothing came out, and that only seemed to strengthen whatever conviction Kayla had within her.
Her smile grew until it was the smuggest, most hateful smile I’d ever had directed at me. “Whatever you had was over years ago. He didn’t even text you back then. What makes you think he cares now?”
“Kayla, give us a minute,” Noah bit out.