Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert

Author:Heather Day Gilbert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2019-03-10T17:30:29+00:00

Chapter 19

“You need to look at Stone,” Jonas repeated.

He’d listened patiently as I’d rehashed our interviews with Dietrich, Frannie, Father Jesse, and Val. I’d filled him in on all I knew about Margo and her family, as well.

But for some reason, he’d decided to come back around to Stone?

“What do you mean?” I asked, knowing full well what he meant.

“Stone the fifth. He’s the most obvious suspect. She was at his house—probably in his yard—the night she was killed. Stone said he’d wanted to date Margo, but she wasn’t interested.”

“That was a while ago. And why would he lead me all over creation to look for the killer?”

Jonas leaned forward. “Yes, why would he?”

He was probing for an answer, making me dig deeper.

Like a bolt, it hit me. “You mean he’s trying to make himself look innocent—”

“While getting closer to you,” Jonas finished. He rubbed a hand over his shaved head. “You might be next, Belinda. What if this has nothing to do with Margo’s hidden pregnancy and everything to do with Stone being a serial killer?”

I stood and turned my back to Jonas, grabbing my coat from in front of the fire. “I need to go.”

In a heartbeat, he was standing right behind me. He didn’t touch me, but his presence was so strong, he might as well have.

“Don’t run off like this. You know I’m right. You have to keep your distance from Stone Carrington the fifth. He’s already been busted for drunk driving, he can hide behind his wealth and family name, and he’s been using you, Belinda.”

I yanked my hat over my ears in an attempt to muffle not only Jonas, but the accusatory thoughts he’d set loose in my own mind. Stone, a murderer? No way.

“I have to get back,” I said, shoving the honey jars into my deep inside pockets. I fumbled for the cash Mom had sent and thrust the bills toward Jonas, ignoring his suggestion that the honey was a gift. “Thanks for the honey and happy Thanksgiving to you and your mom. Tell her I said hello.”

I clomped out the front door, closing it behind me. Jonas didn’t open it, but as I drove away, I could see his face in the narrow window by the door.

I’d hurt his feelings, but I didn’t care. He’d hurt mine, by suggesting I’d let Stone lead me around on a wild goose chase.

I wasn’t that stupid. Was I?

* * * *

By the time I got back, Mom was asleep on the couch, HGTV blaring in the background. I clicked the TV off and went to look for Katrina. She was curled up next to Tyler, who was still watching the ballgame.

Katrina uncurled and gave me a hug. “Sis! Where’ve you been? Were you at Jonas’s this whole time?”

I nodded, unable to explain. Tears had probably frozen to my cheeks on the way home, but I didn’t care. Jonas Hawthorne was too nosy. Jonas Hawthorne was too cautious. Jonas Hawthorne might be right.

Tyler stood and stretched.

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