Free Dead Girl in a Green Dress by Loucinda McGary

doing." She gave an hysterical little burst of laughter. "Your father says you can find a gnat’s eyelash on an accounting spreadsheet, so if anyone can figure this out, you can."
    Her step-mother had always tried to win her over with insincere compliments, so Byrony brushed this one aside like she usually did. "Unfortunately, this is nothing like accounting. However, the private investigator I’m working with seems… very competent." And sexy as hell , reminded an evil little voice in the back of her mind.
    While her step-mother sniveled out more gratitude, Byrony’s fingers inadvertently brushed her lips. Distracted, she ended the call, but a minute later the phone rang again. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was Barbara calling back.
    "I just thought of something else," she babbled in her little girl voice. "I know the mugger took Jessica’s purse with her phone, keys, and identification, but I found a single key in her jewelry holder. It was tied on a piece of satin ribbon, but it doesn’t appear to fit anything in her room, or anywhere else in the house."
    Byrony’s pulse quickened. "What kind of key does it look like?"
    After a pause, her step-mother replied, "Actually, it looks like a plain old door key. You know, the kind that fits a dead bolt."
    Trying to keep the excitement out of her voice, Byrony said, "Send it to me, Barbara, here at the B&B on Mackinac Island. Overnight it." She gave the other woman the address. "I’ll share it with the police, see if they think it’s important."
    But as she hung up, a shiver ran down Byrony’s spine. If Jessica had tied a key on a ribbon, then it must have been important to her.  
    Eagerly, she started to call Tate, but saw she had one missed call. From the man himself. His alluring baritone caused a low flame to ignite deep in her belly. He apologized for his "unprofessional behavior" and told her it wouldn’t happen again.
    Unsure whether she felt relief or disappointment, Byrony decided against calling him back. Instead, she took a nice steamy shower, hoping that would clear her chaotic thoughts. She discovered the bruises she’d sustained when she fell on the sidewalk were now ugly dark blue and purple blotches, mostly near her left knee. But the warm water soothed the lingering aches in her hips, back and shoulders. She didn’t want to wonder what a mess she would be if the horse had really struck her.
    The shower did the trick, for she’d scarcely been in bed a half hour when she nodded off in the midst of watching an inane sit com on the TV perched on her bureau. She didn’t wake up until close to midnight, and she stayed awake just long enough to switch off the late night talk show, roll over and go back to sleep. Byrony’s early morning dreams were troubled by menacing horses dashing right at her, but unlike reality, this time the mysterious rider in yellow rain gear turned out to be a scowling Tate Madison.    

    ***

    Sipping coffee from a Styrofoam cup, Tate glanced nervously up and down the crowded sidewalk for any sign of Byrony . The ferry had already started boarding passengers and he didn’t want to wait for the next one. He wasn’t sure what to make of the fact that she hadn’t responded to his apology last night. But he hoped for what was probably the hundredth time he hadn’t completely blown it with her. The kiss might have been badly timed, but he’d certainly enjoyed it, and for a couple of moments there, he was pretty sure she had too. Maybe once this case was settled….
    His speculations were cut short by the glimpse he caught of Byrony , hurrying down the sidewalk, her expression somewhat gloomy but determined. Always determined. And always in a rush. He shook his head to clear away any lingering thoughts about her so he could concentrate on the case. His job, he reminded himself, as in his livelihood.
    Byrony barreled up, her breath streaming out in a white cloud on the cold morning air. "Sorry I’m late, but I have some