Page 165 of Head Room

Puzzles.All kinds of puzzles.

...Don’t know how it’s going to turn out...

Irene Jardos did puzzles, all kinds of puzzles.When she was writing her manuscript, potentially putting in bits and pieces from real life, but without knowing the ending.

Not giving a solution, because Nance’s murder hadn’t happened yet.But she could have given her observations of people, the ingredients that led to the crimes.Observations cloaked within the story.

Puzzles.All kinds of puzzles.

C’mon, Irene, give me something.

My eyes opened wide.

And it wasn’t the wedding.

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

First, I foundout where our quarry could be found, thanks to a quick call to Tom’s neighbor.The stars aligned — or I was having bride’s luck.

This could work.

Maybe.

Where to meet was the next big issue.

My house was out of the question with my parents arriving later to share the day.

Mike and Diana’s places were too far out, not to mention overrun with wedding guests.

I opted for the station’s parking lot.

With Mike and Diana needing more time to get there than I did, I showered and dressed in jeans and a t-shirt before tiptoeing past Tamantha’s room.I left a note on the counter saying I had a last-minute errand to run and would be back soon.

On the drive, I called Tom.

“Something’s come up.I’ll be there at the church.I swear I will.But—”

“You got ’im.”

“Not yet.”

“You know, though.”

“I hope so.We might not be able to pull this off in time and if that’s so, I’ll drop it—”

“Not on my account.We’re married.”

“Yes, we are.”I grinned even though he couldn’t see it.

“Go do what you need to do.If you’re late, I’ll be standing at the front of the church and not budging until you get there.”

“Have I said I love you?”

“Can’t hurt to say it again.”

I obliged.And so did he.

Diana pulled in then, having reached supersonic speeds on the way, no doubt.