Page 155 of A Dangerous Proposal

“I’m not sure I’ve really processed the whole thing. It’s been hanging over my head for so long. I think it’s hard for my mind to just accept that it’s done. That I can relax.”

Cami hummed, one hand resting on her belly. “That makes sense. You’ve been running on adrenaline for months. Your brain probably doesn’t know how to shut off.”

“Very true. Not to change the subject—but really, let’s change the subject—the gas company got back to me about the meter. The person Jesse saw ‘messing with his gas line’ was actually their employee.”

Cami leaned forward. “If the meter was faulty, then they would have seen it.”

“Yep.”

“I think I found something last night,” Cami said slowly. “I couldn’t sleep because the babies have given me hellacious heartburn. While I was sitting up, waiting for my medicine to work, I studied the crime scene photos.”

“As one does when they can’t sleep,” Madison said wryly.

“Shut it. You’re the same. Remember I said I thought I was missing something?”

Madison grinned. “True. What did you find?”

Cami’s lips pressed together. “It might be nothing… But in the photos there is a pack of cigarettes on the floor.”

“We know Jesse was a smoker, they could have been dropped or knocked on the floor while the firefighters were putting out the blaze.”

“I know. What struck me as out of place was Cary said Jesse smoked unfiltered cigarettes, and the box on the floor is the same brand my mom used to smoke. They have a filter. The box was pretty sooty, but I used a magnifying glass and I’m 85 percent sure it’s the same brand.”

“It’s definitely worth looking into.” Madison could feel her excitement rise. “I wonder if we could get the photo enhanced?”

Cami opened her mouth to answer but was distracted by the approach of an older woman pushing a baby carriage. The hood was pulled up, shielding the baby inside, but one tiny, chubby foot peeked out from beneath a soft blanket. The woman gave them a warm smile as she slowed near their bench.

“Mind if I sit?”

“Of course not,” Madison said, scooting over to make room.

The woman settled with a sigh, adjusting the blanket over the baby’s foot. “I’m helping my daughter today. She hasn’t had a full night’s sleep since this little one came along.”

Madison smiled. “That’s sweet of you. Those early weeks are brutal.”

The woman reached into her bag, pulling out a small tin. “Would you like a cookie? I made them this morning.”

Cami eagerly grabbed two. “Yes, please! Are these oatmeal raisin? My favorite, thank you,” she said, already demolishing one.

Madison took one and smirked at Cami. “Are you going to blame this on the babies, too?”

“Shut up. These are delicious!” Cami started on the second.

“Sorry about my friend, she’s a little nuts about her food lately.”

The woman laughed. “I’m taking it as a compliment.”

Madison nibbled at the cookie to be polite, but once the word raisin had come out of Cami’s mouth, she was done. Raisins had their place, but it was not in a cookie.

Jax stood and then half bent, and using the truck for balance, he made engine noises while pushing it through the mulch.

“Is that one yours?” The woman smiled. “He looks just like you.”

Madison beamed. “Thanks. Yes, that’s Jax.”

“He’s adorable,” she said. “How old?”

“Almost sixteen months.”

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