Page 19

She blushed. “Like what you see?”

“I’m not going to answer that question on the grounds that it might incriminate me.”

“Smart man.”

“You mentioned finding something.”

“So did you, and I’m nothing if not a gentleman. Ladies first.”

She shook her head before pulling a large book out of her bag. Mystery of the handbag explained. “I was looking through this old book and found this.” She pointed to the symbol and then to the name beneath it.

“This is amazing. I cannot believe you found this. We have something substantial to guide our search now.”

“It appears to be some type of membership list with a bit of history on each member.”

“Formed in 1787. That is the same year the constitution was ratified.”

“I hadn’t realized that.” She tapped her knuckles on the table between them. “My family is listed in that book.”

“Really?”’

“I think so. My mother’s great grandfather was Edmund Cleveland, III. Went by Skip. His father was Edmund Cleveland, Jr. My guess is that the Edmund Cleveland in this book is his father or perhaps grandfather.”

“Wow. I’m impressed at how much you know about your family.”

“Don’t be. I never had any interest in learning any of it. When we delved into that symbol I had to find out more, so I started digging. Ancestry.com seemed as logical a place as any to start my search. Thankfully, my mother kept great records, so I was able to find enough in her paperwork to trace back to Edmund Cleveland, Jr.”

“Do you mind if I read through this?”

“You can take the book with you, but please be careful with it.”

“I’ll protect it with my life.”

“Don’t do that. Just don’t be careless.” She tilted her head to the side. “Now tell me what you found.”

“It pales in comparison to what you shared.”

“Spill it anyway.”

“My investigator linked the account of someone baiting Emmaline online to a man who lives near Ricketts. I’m planning to stakeout his place later. I’ll interview him eventually, but I don’t want to spook him until I’ve had a chance to follow his moves.”

“A smart choice.”

“Want in?”

“In on a stake-out? Do I look a glutton for punishment?”

“It’ll give you a chance to spend time with yours truly.”

“Every woman’s dream, I’m sure.”

“So, you’ll come?”

“When?”

“How’s now?”

“You’re not much for planning ahead, are you?”