Page 57 of Wedding Cake Carnage

I pluck the key out from the wheel well and have that wedding bible in my hands in no time. I crack it right open to the center and trace my finger down the list, but it ends at fifty-six.

What?

Wait a minute. I tip my head back.

I think this just might be Lainey’s way of getting back at us for the naughty nightie party—which Forest should be penning me a thank you for—or for that raucous night out at the Lady’s Lounge, or perhaps even for a change of venue.

“Well played, Lainey Donovan. Well played.”

A few pages slip out the side of the enormous tomb. I catch them in the air and gasp at the sight.

In my hands I hold the missing pages to Jana’s journal. Every last one of them.

My heart thumps like a jackrabbit as I plop the wedding bible back onto the driver’s seat and I read as fast as my eyes will allow.

Oh my God.

Nobody broke in and ripped these pages out of her diary. Jana tore them out herself—in the event something horrible was about to happen to her. And she put them in the very place she knew someone would look.

And now I know her secret.

I know exactly why Jana March was killed.

Chapter 20

It was right there under my nose, literally—the answer I was so desperately seeking. I suppose it’s that way with many things, all of those aches that clutter my heart. But when you don’t know where to look or that the answer lies less than an arm’s length away, you struggle for a solution—and sometimes, in the end, that helps paint a clearer picture.

A quick visual scan of the parking lot doesn’t avail a single soul I’m looking for.

I send a quick group text to Noah and Everett and ask them to meet me at the gazebo.

There are still so many questions, so many unanswered reasons why Jana had to die. Was what I read reason enough? If the answer is self-preservation of the killer, then yes, it was more than reason enough.

I’m about to lock up my car when I spot Jackie and Pierce closing up the trunk of a cargo van. I jog over in hopes to clarify a few things before they leave.

“Hey!” Jackie waves. “We’re taking off. And I meant what I said. Bring those donuts and we’ll take care of everything else. In fact, I’ll knock fifty percent off Steven’s fee. Don’t tell him I said so.” She winks at Pierce before patting her hips down. “Shoot. I left my keys in the ballroom. I’ll be right back.”

She bolts off and I take a few careful steps in close to him. My heart thumps wildly and my adrenaline picks up.

He tips his head to the side as our eyes lock. Yes, Pierce is a very handsome man, muscular, exorbitantly wealthy. I can see why women would give him whatever he wanted, why some would give him their dignity.

“What’s going on, Lottie?” His expression deadens as if he knew what I had found, what I know.

“Noah and Everett are on their way over,” I say for no reason other than the fact I felt I needed to. I pull out my phone and click over to the group chat.

“What are you looking at?” He comes over close, his arms menacingly crossed, and I quickly clutch the phone to my chest.

“Nothing. I was just checking my messages.” I start to walk backward. “So, will I see you at the office next week? Jackie is right. I’m bringing donuts.” A weak laugh emits from me.

His eyes remain trained on mine as he continues to walk my way, my feet never slowing as I try to slowly head back to the manor.

“I’d better go. They’re going to come looking for me,” I say.

“I’m sure they will.” His brows pull into a line, and it looks intimidating. I’m sure it’s meant to be. “So it’s true? You’re the best?”

“The best what?” I shake my head as my dress catches my eye. “Maid of honor! You’re right. I’d better get back.” I try to circle around him, but he blocks my path.

“Best at hunting down a killer.” A laugh rattles in his chest, low and threatening like a thunderstorm looming on the horizon.