Free Nun of That (A Deadly Habit Cozy Mystery, Book 1) by Morgana Best

“Although I can’t see how they would manage to sell gold chains that had been stolen,” I concluded, “because there are police lists that the auction house has to check against.”
    Gemma took a gulp of wine and wagged her finger at me. “On the contrary, mass produced chains all look alike. Gold jewelry doesn’t have hallmarks like silver. If they’re made in Australia, they would just be stamped 18c, and if made in USA, they’re stamped 850, or even 18k. There’s no way to tell most gold chains from one another; they’d easily slip through the stolen items police lists. How much did they sell for?”
    “About $16,000 all up.”
    “Perhaps someone donated some gold chains to the convent, and they were selling them to raise money,” Janet said.
    “Perhaps.” I nodded as I gingerly tried a tiny bite of the pumpkin thing. No one could convince me it was a meatloaf, but it was a little tastier than it sounded. “But that's what I want to find out.”
    “How are you planning to do that, exactly?” Gemma asked. “Rose, I love you. I adore you. I'd give my left kidney for you, but I can't help with any breaking and entering.”
    “No, nothing like that. Not exactly.” I raised my hands and shook my head for emphasis. “Actually, I want to go in and talk to the Reverend Mother again, and while I do that, have someone watch the courtyard from the top of the hill.”
    “What would that accomplish, though?”
    “I really don’t know,” I admitted, “but it’s worth a shot. If one of you comes in with me, the other nuns might do something because they think she’s busy with guests, and one of you can be up on the hill looking into the walled courtyard with binoculars.”
    “Oh come on, Gemma. It sounds harmless enough,” Janet said. “There's no crime in looking into a yard, right?”
    “You really want me to make you a list?” Gemma asked, which seemed to be exactly what Janet was waiting for.
    “Well then, it's settled. You go watch from the hill, and I'll go in with Rose to talk to the Reverend Mother.”
    “Now, why would I be the one on the hill?” Gemma demanded, turning her attention to Janet. “I’m the one in the news with these big success stories, so it wouldn’t be strange to see me making a donation to a convent.”
    Janet looked as if she wanted to argue with her. With a sigh of resignation, she looked at me. “Okay, sure, whatever you want. Anyway, what brought on this sudden need to stake out nuns?”
    “I’ve already explained -” I said, but I was interrupted.
    “She's trying to impress the hot eye candy,” Gemma said helpfully, giving me a playful nudge with her elbow. “Gumshoe detective and the witty junior reporter. It's adorable.”
    “It's not about that at all,” I protested, feeling my face turn red as they both stared at me, skeptically.
    “What’s going on with you and what’s-his-name anyway?” Janet poked at her food and took another hearty bite. “Have you had dinner yet?”
    “No. One bite of her cooking, and he would have already proposed to her,” Gemma said, with a sigh. “You need to make him something, Rose. Bait him. Reel him in before he gets away.”
    “He's a guy, not a fish,” I muttered.
    “No, he's a man. You know what they say. The closest way to a man's heart is with Rose’s chocolate fudge-cake,” Gemma said. “C'mon. He's a nice enough guy, right?”
    “We're supposed to be discussing a convent.” I didn’t want the attention focused on me and my love life, or lack thereof. Adam was a nice guy. I liked his energetic approach to getting his story. His smile. The way his brow furrowed when he was mulling over a potential clue. But that didn't mean I was ready to make the first move. Or any move at that.
    “And discuss it we did. Now it's time to discuss the hot-off-the-presses reporter.” Gemma grinned at me.
    “Down girl, Rose saw him first,” Janet said in warning.
    “That doesn't mean I can't drool a little. So sue