Page 98 of The Bride Wore White

“Not when it comes to you and me. But getting back to the subject of Ella Dover, it turns out she is the last one standing on top of whatever is left of the Dover family empire. Whether she will be able to run it from jail or an asylum remains to be seen.”

Prudence shivered. “You were right when you said that my case would prove to be a story of revenge.”

“Those cases never end well. There’s a lot of truth in the ancient warnings about the risks of setting out on a path of vengeance. Like they say, you might as well dig two graves at the start, because you’ll need one for yourself.”

Prudence nodded somberly. “Too much negative energy can only lead to disaster.”

Jack looked amused. “Generally speaking, I don’t approve of resorting to paranormal explanations for such things, but in this case, you may be right.”

“How did you figure out that Ella had kidnapped me and forced me to drive to House of Shadows?”

“Old-fashioned investigation work. No psychic stuff involved. The front desk here at the hotel came through, as usual. I knew from the clerk’s description of the woman who had stopped to call on you that Ella was looking for you. The clerk said you were at the library. By the time Luther and I got there, you had disappeared, but the librarian on duty had seen you and a woman in black walking toward the parking lot. A short time later, she saw you both drive past the front entrance of the library. You were at the wheel and heading south. The Burning Cove Hotel is north of downtown. House of Shadows, or what’s left of it, is south. The conclusion was easy.”

“Easy?”

“Well, I also knew that killers prefer to use familiar ground whenever possible. Ella wanted an isolated location. She didn’t know the local terrain very well, but she knew my property met her requirements because she had been there on a previous occasion.”

Prudence smiled. “Leave it to a librarian to point you in the right direction.”

“Not that it mattered. When Luther and I arrived, you had the situation under control. Which reminds me, we have an invitation to join Luther and Raina Kirk for dinner at the Paradise this evening.”

Prudence brightened. “That sounds like fun. Can I assume Mr.Pell and Miss Kirk are a couple?”

Jack got a knowing look. “Yes, you can definitely assume that.” He glanced at his watch. “But we’ve got plenty of time. Feel like taking a short drive?”

“All right.” She pushed aside the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Where are we going?”

“I want to show you a certain property.”

“Did you find a place to rent while you rebuild?”

“Maybe.”

?The sign in the window of the art gallery indicated that it was permanently closed and that the premises were for lease. It was situated in a palm-shaded plaza near the heart of the town’s fashionable shopping district. There were several other galleries and a sprinkling of sidewalk cafés and boutiques in the same plaza.

Prudence fell in love at first sight. “What a perfect spot for a bookshop. This is exactly the sort of location I’ll be looking for when I get ready to open One Step Beyond.”

Jack looked ridiculously pleased. “I was hoping you would say that. Raina Kirk’s office is right around the corner. She says theinterior of this space is in excellent condition and that it would take very little to convert it into a bookshop.”

“Whoa.” Prudence held up both hands, palms out. “It’s a beautiful shop and an ideal location, but I couldn’t possibly afford the rent in this part of town. And when did you discuss my bookshop plans with Raina Kirk?”

“I talked to Raina while you were sleeping this afternoon. We were clearing up a few last details of the case and I mentioned that you wanted to open a bookshop focused on metaphysics and the paranormal. She said she knew of a place that might work and gave me the address.”

“Oh.” Prudence flushed. “Well, it certainly is lovely, but as I said, I’m sure I couldn’t afford it.”

“Raina says she thinks the owner will bargain if you’re willing to sign a long-term lease. Also, there’s a nice little apartment above the shop. It’s included in the rent.”

“Is that so?”

Jack cleared his throat. “I could move in with you and share the rent.”

“What?”

“I’m going to need a place to live while I rebuild on that very nice chunk of California waterfront property where House of Shadows used to stand.”

She stared at him. “Jack, is this your peculiar way of suggesting we destroy what’s left of our reputations by living in sin over a bookshop in the heart of downtown Burning Cove?”

“Well, no.”

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