Overkill (The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries, Book Four)
Page 19
Bennett took the lead, winding them around people and rocks until a large white building with columns and black shutters loomed above them. They were meeting Mia’s friend at the inn’s restaurant for lunch to discuss a little problem she was having.
Okay. It was a big problem. A big problem neither she nor Bennett was certain they wanted to have any part of. But to be fair, they’d agreed to meet with her and discuss things more in-depth before deciding. Belinda had ensured that Mia passed on that they weren’t making any promises. They were only agreeing to talk.
“She could be paranoid,” Bennett said, looking up at the inn with her. They stood at the stone pathway leading to it that looked like some secret walkway. “That’s a lot to inherit for a single person.”
“Believe me, I’ve considered that, except that Mia has known her from birth and swears it’s not like her.” Belinda shrugged. “From the little I’ve been around her, I’d have to say it doesn’t seem like her either. She’s kind of flighty and relatively trusting.”
“Well, we’ll hear what she has to say and then decide whether to help or not.” He made Belinda face him. “No matter how emotional she is or however good her story sounds, you will not agree to help her now. We listen and get the information we need, and then we leave and talk about it and get back to her. Agreed?”
“Are you saying I’m soft?”
“Agreed?” Bennett looked her hard in the face.
So he was saying she was soft. Well, fine. She was a mush. It was hardly the worst thing she could be accused of. “Yes, I agree. I won’t say we’re helping her now.”
Bennett nodded and gripped her hand. “Ready to go in?”
Belinda hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” Bennett’s eyes shifted to her neck. “You haven’t changed your mind now, have you?”
Belinda’s near-death experience put things in perspective, and she wanted to say this because you never knew how much time you had. “It’s not that. Back there,” she pointed behind her, “after Jonas left and you thought I was picturing them married with five kids–”
“Five? Don’t mention that to Jonas, for future reference.”
“Well, there’s five kids in his family.”
“True.”
“It was a random number…. Anyway, the point is I joked with you, but that’s not what I was thinking about.” Belinda took a deep breath, ignoring Bennett’s intense stare. “I was thinking about what we talked about earlier…you know, art collecting? I kind of forgot because of, well, everything, but I just remembered and…and…” She wasn’t sure how to phrase what she wanted to say and was getting embarrassed now that she was at that point in her sentence and realized she hadn’t thought it all the way through. But certain things needed to be said.
“You’d like to start thinking about it?” She thought he looked (and maybe now she was the one imagining things) hopeful.
“Yes, exactly. I don’t want you to think…I mean, I’m not pressuring you…” Of course, it was too late now if that’s how he felt. She’d already said it.
“I know.” His eyes were bright–the light gray they turned when he was happy. “I’ve been thinking about it, too. Especially the outdoor sculptures.”
“That was incredibly cool. I sort of have an outdoor sculpture of my own now.”
“Really?” Bennett tilted his head. “You never mentioned it.”
“Well, it’s not something avant-garde like what Angie did. It’s just a garden gnome. Dan forced Victoria to give one away.” Bennett laughed, Belinda joining him. “I knew she wouldn’t get away with it, and they were starting to take over. So even though I’m afraid I’ll find him dancing around at night, I took one off her hands to appease him.”
Bennett’s eyes glinted in delight. “Maybe we should get the rest of the outdoor cameras set up soon then.”
Belinda smiled, thinking the sooner, the better, and they stood there in silence for a moment, not paying much attention to the groups of tourists passing by or the cars whizzing past on the street. “Was that all?” Bennett said finally.
“That was all. I just…I wanted you to know that. I needed you to know that.”
Bennett gave her hand a squeeze, his eyes understanding. “I’m glad you said something.”
Belinda smiled, relief flooding through her. So maybe what she’d imagined before about him, when they visited Meg, wasn’t all in her head. “I think we should go on in now. It’s about that time.”
Bennett waved her on to go first, the path only holding people in single file. They turned up the restaurant entrance from the walkway, heading to meet their potential client hand in hand.
~ * ~
Other Titles by Amy Saunders
Coming Soon…
Misfortune (The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries, Book Five)
The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries
Cliffhanger (Book One)
Auf’d (Book Two)
Drive-Bye (Book Three)
Unexpected (A Belinda & Bennett Short Story)
Personal Shopper (A Belinda & Bennett Short Story)
Standalone Titles
Biohazard
The Jester’s Apprentice
Dead Locked
More About This Series
Join my email newsletter for release updates.
Like the Belinda & Bennett Facebook page for news and fun facts about the series.
Visit amysaundersauthor.com for short stories and behind-the-book peeks.
If you enjoyed Overkill, please leave a review at your preferred e-book retailer, Goodreads, etc. Every little bit helps and your support is appreciated! Thank you!
About the Author
Amy Saunders is a mystery lover with a soft spot for humor and romance–and the ocean. She lives in Massachusetts, and loves to bake and watch movies. She’s the author of one mystery series and three standalone mysteries. Learn more about Amy and her books at her website.