Free A Devious Lot (Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Book 5) by Ellery Adams, Parker Riggs Page A

head on his wide shoulder. “I’ve never been happier in my life,” he said.
    “Me, too,” Molly said. “So what’s your proposal?”
    “My proposal is that if Boyle doesn’t solve his case in a day or two, you stay here with Tessa and help him figure out who killed Tiffany.”
    “What?” Molly sprang up. “You’d fly home without me?”
    “I would stay if I could, but I have to get back to work,” he said. “You agree we shouldn’t leave Tessa alone. If you tell Swanson what’s going on, I’m sure he’ll give you time to write about a murder in the Cotswolds.”
    Molly stared at him. “Are you crazy?” Carl Swanson was her boss in North Carolina. He was a moody chain smoker and the staff lived in fear of him. “I’m lucky he gave me time off to get married and go on my honeymoon!”
    “Okay, then I’ll talk to him. He likes me.”
    “Huh! That’s what you think,” Molly said. “He doesn’t like anybody. Why don’t we ask Tessa to come to Vermont with us?”
    “She didn’t fly to our wedding because of her hip, and that was less than two weeks ago.”
    “Right, I forgot,” Molly said. “Then let’s buy the alarm system. Or, we could pay for her to stay at the Cavendish. She loves that hotel.”
    “The alarm isn’t a bad idea, but she’d still be on her own, and a hotel would be way too expensive. We could ask your mother to fly over to be with you. She’d enjoy spending time with Tessa, and she’s always been a great sounding board for you when you’re on a case.”
    Molly sighed. “But it could take weeks, or months, to solve. And by then, Swanson might want to fire me.”
    “Swanson’s obsessed with circulation, and he knows you’re the biggest draw. Offer to write some articles about antiquing in England while you’re snooping around for Boyle. Give it a few weeks, and if there’s no progress, maybe Tessa’s hip will feel well enough that she can fly home with you and your mom.”
    Molly thought about it. “The airfare for Mom will be off-the-charts expensive at this late stage,” she said. “She won’t want to spend that kind of money, and don’t forget, there will be a penalty if I change my ticket.”
    “We’ll pay for her ticket, and don’t worry about the penalty on yours.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, I’m sure. I’ll return the rental car at the airport and that will save some money. Tessa won’t mind you driving her car.”
    “Do you really think this is necessary?”
    “I do,” he said. “Tessa needs you. Evidently, so does Boyle. And I know you, Molly. If you leave before Tiffany’s murder is solved, you’ll be sulking around the house when we get home regretting that you left. You found her body this morning. You’re already invested in the case. I’m not wild about us being apart, but I know how smart you are and what good instincts you have. You’ve caught other killers, so why not give it a shot and see if you can find the person who killed Tiffany?”
    Molly laughed.
    “What’s funny?” he asked.
    “You know how Kitty and Lex are always calling each other?” Her best friend Kitty, and her husband, Lex, worked together at their auction company in North Carolina. They spent every waking moment together, but if they were apart for more than an hour, they had to place a phone call to touch base. It drove Molly crazy. “For the first time in my life,” she said, “the thought of not being near you is giving me heart palpitations. I’m turning into Kitty the lovebird!”
    “Then I guess I’m turning into Lex,” he said and laughed. “We have cell phones and the international call plan is already set up. We’ll extend the dates and talk every day.” He pushed her hair back from her face. “I love you, Molly. Being apart for a little while won’t change that.”
    Molly kissed him. “Okay, if Swanson gives me a green light, and if my mother agrees to fly over, I’ll stay with Tessa.”
    “Good. I’ll look up flights so you