Death and Her Devotion (Rogue Vows #1)(19)

“Did you ever watch the show Detective Alex Gunn?” Zane asked.

“I caught the first two seasons.”

“This past season featured a killer who strangled his victims with a belt. And positioned their arms to match the arms of a clock.”

“You don’t say! Well, that’s a new one for me. Sounds like you’re looking for a fan.”

“I wouldn’t call his killer a fan.”





Stevie couldn’t believe her eyes when Cyndee strolled back into the police department. She was still dressed in pink, but today it was a soft baby pink, not the Pepto pink from yesterday. She looked like she walked straight out of a movie again. The only thing missing was a little dog in her handbag. Stevie stood up from her desk chair, prepared to tell the girl to leave, thankful Sheila was out on an errand, but Cyndee held up her hand as Stevie opened her mouth.

“I’ve come back to apologize,” the pink girl stated.

Stevie closed her mouth.

“I’m sorry I misled you. I was really upset, and it made me stretch the truth a little bit.”

A little bit?

“You didn’t have a relationship with Chase Ryan. Any sort of relationship,” Stevie said firmly, determined to keep the girl from fooling her again.

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t have feelings for him. They’re very real to me, and I was crushed to find out he’d been murdered. It’s not my fault my feelings weren’t reciprocated.”

Stevie wanted to scream. “Do you realize there are a million women worldwide having the exact same feelings? That’s the thing about celebrities . . . it feels like you know them because they are so public. But in reality they have no idea who you are.” She bit her tongue about the apartment fire Cyndee had started. “You should go back home.”

“But I might be able to help with the investigation.” Blue eyes pleaded with Stevie.

I really doubt that. “How?”

The girl looked around. “Can I sit down?”

She’s using me for attention. It makes her feel important.

The door opened again before Stevie could throw her out. Her mother and her niece Brianna rushed in, their arms full of tulle. “Look at this, Aunt Stevie!” Brianna burst out.

The girl spun in a circle, making the white tulle billow and holding up gold balloons beneath the airy fabric. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

It was a lovely sight. Elegant and airy. Stevie raised a questioning brow at her mother.

“Brianna and I spotted this combination in a bridal magazine,” Patsy said. “I think it would be gorgeous hanging in swirls from the ceiling of the grange. It will blend well with your color scheme.”

Stevie could picture the flowing fabric and rich balloons decorating the sad ceiling of the grange. She’d winced at the yellowing water spots on the ceiling when she’d considered the location for her wedding reception, but it was the only space big enough for the party her mother had planned. Even though it was summer, she’d known better than to plan an outdoor reception. Rain was always possible in the Pacific Northwest.

“It’s lovely,” Stevie agreed. And she knew it’d be inexpensive.

Patsy glanced at Cyndee and back at Stevie, expecting an introduction. Stevie narrowed her eyes and gave a small shake of her head at her mother. Her mother didn’t need to meet the stalker.

“Well, Brianna and I are going to get this hung up and finish decorating the tables,” said Patsy, picking up on Stevie’s reluctance to make introductions. “The flowers came in and they’re just gorgeous! I’ve got two women working on the floral arrangements and the bouquets. I’ll see you tonight at the rehearsal.” She and Brianna dashed out of the office, leaving Stevie wishing she could forget her murder case and go arrange flowers.

Me. Arrange flowers. She snorted.

I’m getting married tomorrow.

It didn’t feel real.

“When’s the wedding?” Cyndee asked.

Stevie turned to look at the woman she’d briefly forgotten due to her thoughts of tulle and flowers. “Tomorrow.”

“Congratulations.” The blue eyes looked accusatory, not congratulatory.

“Thank you.”

“How are you going to work on this case and get married? I can’t imagine it’s getting your full attention. Do you really think that’s fair to Chase? But I suppose that good-looking police chief will keep things running.”

“I’m marrying him,” Stevie blurted.

Cyndee’s mouth formed a large O. “Him?” she squeaked. “You’re both getting married tomorrow?”

“To each other,” Stevie added, since the woman seemed slightly confused.

“You don’t have time for that! Who’s going to search for Chase’s murderer?” She clenched her purse until her knuckles whitened.

“We’ve got everything under control.”

“No, you don’t! You don’t have any idea who killed him, do you?” she shrieked.

“Now, Cyndee—”

“You need to look at those so-called friends of his,” the blonde hissed. “They only pretend to like him. They just like his money and the perks from hanging around with him. If anyone murdered Chase Ryan, it’s one of those guys.”