Scent of Murder

Janie’s look was full of gratitude. “Our house is just around the corner. You can follow us over, or I’ll take you back to your car when you’re through, if you prefer.”

“Since I’m parked all the way down at the other end of town, that’ll be faster.”

“Then let’s go!” Nicky headed toward the door at a jog, anxious not to waste any more lesson time.

Caitlin started to follow, and Janie stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Thank you.”

Any regret Caitlin might have had about her impromptu decision fled at the sight of grateful tears in Janie’s eyes. Without a doubt, this was an opportunity from the Lord’s hand. The small act of kindness she could show this woman and her daughter was worth the minor interruption of her shopping spree. Given the glimpse she’d just had of Ed, they weren’t accustomed to kindness.

She squeezed the woman’s warm hand. “I’m happy to do it. Really.”

She might have to forgo a shower before Chase arrived to pick her up, but she wasn’t going to dress up for him, anyway. Right? Right.

Glasses perched on the end of his nose, Ed scanned the inventory list. A turbulent storm of unease churned in his stomach. What did it matter if every other item on the list was accounted for? That one missing candle could ruin everything.

“You’d better take care of this, Willie.”

The fidgeting deliveryman from Good Things In Wax wouldn’t meet his gaze. Standing in the open doorway with his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his baggy pants, he scuffed a foot on the doorjamb. “The boss said he’d take care of it.”

Ed scribbled his name at the bottom of the form, his teeth grinding against each other. “We can’t let that candle go. I don’t care what it takes, you’ve got to get it back.”