{"id":1256,"date":"2021-07-15T15:41:33","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T22:41:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/?page_id=1256"},"modified":"2021-07-15T15:41:33","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T22:41:33","slug":"white-offerings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/books-2\/mysteries\/white-offerings\/","title":{"rendered":"White Offerings"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-1256\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-1256-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1256-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1256-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1256-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>White Offerings<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1256-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1256-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1256-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-13f2a8b12fcc-1256\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/white.jpg\" width=\"163\" height=\"256\" sizes=\"(max-width: 163px) 100vw, 163px\" alt=\"\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1256-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1256-1-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-atom-35500a5eb44b-1256\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"ow-button-base ow-button-align-center\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.bellabooks.com\/product\/9781594931215\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" \t>\n\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBUY\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1256-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1256-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1256-1-1-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"margin-bottom:20px ;display:block;width:100%;margin-top:10px\">White Offerings <\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t#tab_container_1238 {\r\n\toverflow:hidden;\r\n\tdisplay:block;\r\n\twidth:100%;\r\n\tborder:0px solid #ddd;\r\n\tmargin-bottom:30px;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1238 .tab-content{\r\n\tpadding:20px;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n\tmargin-top: 0px;\r\n\tbackground-color:#ffffff !important;\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tfont-size:18px !important;\r\n\tfont-family: Arial !important;\r\n\t\r\n\t\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n\t}\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs {\r\n    border-bottom: 0px solid #ddd;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a, #tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a:hover, #tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a:focus {\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tcursor: default;\r\n\tbackground-color: #ffffff !important;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a {\r\n    margin-right: 0px !important; \r\n    line-height: 1.42857143 !important;\r\n    border: 1px solid #ced6db !important;\r\n    border-radius: 0px 0px 0 0 !important; \r\n\tbackground-color: #e1e9ee !important;\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tpadding: 15px 18px 15px 18px !important;\r\n\ttext-decoration: none !important;\r\n\tfont-size: 15px !important;\r\n\ttext-align:center !important;\r\n\tfont-family: Arial !important;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:focus {\r\noutline: 0px !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:before {\r\n\tdisplay:none !important;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:after {\r\n\tdisplay:none !important ;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li{\r\npadding:0px !important ;\r\nmargin:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:hover , #tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:focus {\r\n    color: #000000 !important;\r\n    background-color: #e1e9ee !important;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #ced6db !important;\r\n\t\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a .fa{\r\n\r\nmargin-right:5px !important;\r\n\r\nmargin-left:5px !important;\r\n\r\n\r\n}\r\n\r\n\t\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs a{\r\n\t\t\tbackground-image: none;\r\n\t\t\tbackground-position: 0 0;\r\n\t\t\tbackground-repeat: repeat-x;\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n    float: left;\r\n    margin-bottom: -1px !important;\r\n\tmargin-right:0px !important; \r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1238 .tab-content{\r\noverflow:hidden !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n@media (min-width: 769px) {\r\n\r\n\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li{\r\n\t\tfloat:left !important ;\r\n\t\t\t\tmargin-right:-1px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs{\r\n\t\tfloat:none !important;\r\n\t\tmargin:0px !important;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmargin-right: 8px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav{\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 8px !important;\r\n\t\tmargin-right:0px !important;\r\n\t\tmargin-left:0px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav{\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\t.wpsm_nav-tabs li:before{\r\n\t\tdisplay:none !important;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n\t@media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs  li  a  i{\r\n\t\t\t\tdisplay: none !important;\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t.wpsm_nav-tabs{\r\n\t\t\tmargin-left:0px !important;\r\n\t\t\tmargin-right:0px !important; \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t#tab_container_1238 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmargin-right: 8px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t}\t\t\t\t<\/style>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"tab_container_1238\" >\r\n\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wpsm_nav wpsm_nav-tabs\" role=\"tablist\" id=\"myTab_1238\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  class=\"active\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1238_1\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1238_1\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>ABOUT THE BOOK<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1238_2\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1238_2\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>BACKSTORY<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1238_3\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1238_3\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>EXCERPT<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1238_4\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1238_4\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>VIDEO<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <!-- Tab panes -->\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"tab-content\" id=\"tab-content_1238\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane  in active \" id=\"tabs_desc_1238_1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ari Adams is sure that her best friend, Jane Frank, doesn\u2019t have to worry about the mysterious orchids that appear in more and more personal settings. One of Jane\u2019s spurned lovers is likely the identity, but the aid of a professional puts both their minds at ease. After her own recent brush with murder\u2014nearly her own\u2014Ari is relieved to solicit help from local private investigator Elizabeth \u201cBiz\u201d Stone to uncover the identity of Jane\u2019s secret admirer. What Ari doesn\u2019t expect are the sparks that fly every time she and Biz meet. Her heart is already spoken for by Detective Molly Nelson, and with orchids appearing in increasingly creepy circumstances, it\u2019s not the time to confuse it.<\/p>\r\n<p>Then an orchid arrives for Ari\u2026<\/p>\r\n<p>In this sequel to Paid in Full, Ann Roberts\u2019 realtor-turned-sleuth Ari Adams explores love, obsession and dilemmas of the heart.<\/p>\r\n<p>An Ari Adams Mystery Series Book 2.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"tabs_desc_1238_2\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Making of a Mystery<\/p>\r\n<p>I\u2019ve loved mystery stories since I was a kid. The original Scooby Doo, Where Are You? cartoon was my Saturday morning favorite. It was an actual who-dunnit mystery with clues, suspects, and a crime that the group of friends stumbled upon each week. Of course, it wasn\u2019t a tough mystery to solve as there were only two other characters and the villain was usually a cantankerous caretaker.<\/p>\r\n<p>When it\u2019s more than a Saturday cartoon, writing a mystery adds a layer of complexity to the plot unlike any other genre. While all readers expect complex characterization, snappy dialogue, and rich settings from any book that they plunk down $17.95 for a hard copy, in a mystery the plot must be intricate and detailed. Suspects have their respective paths to follow and the author must peel away layers of the story as the suspect list narrows the closer the reader gets to the climax. Give away too much, too soon, and readers aren\u2019t challenged, but leave the reader in the dark for too long and they grow frustrated.<\/p>\r\n<p>My entire approach to writing a mystery is completely different from my approach to writing a romance or a young adult fiction novel. Sometimes romances just write themselves (see the backstory on Beach Town), but painstaking effort must be made for every plot point of a mystery. The display of sticky notes to the left gives you an idea of my process. It\u2019s critical to know every step of every character and every exchange.<\/p>\r\n<p>Why? Because mystery readers are a very special breed. They like a little work with their pleasure reading. Whereas the romance reader just wants to immerse herself\/theirself in a fun, frolicking romp comparable to spinning gleefully in a meadow, the mystery reader pores over every word, sometimes rereading passages and chapters, knowing the author is challenging them to figure it all out.<\/p>\r\n<p>While romance readers quickly suspend disbelief (and a lot more) for a Happily Ever After ending, mystery readers are far less generous. In the end all of the pieces have to fit. Mysteries are comparable to math equations, where everything has to add up. Cut corners, sudden personality shifts, and plot points without foundation are not tolerated. Undoubtedly, mystery readers are by far one of the most demanding groups of readers, but it makes receiving positive reviews that much sweeter.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"tabs_desc_1238_3\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">Chapter One<\/p><p>Saturday, October 14th 2:13 AM<\/p>\r\n<p>The sound of pounding feet grew louder and meant one thing \u2013 he was closer. She willed herself to move faster, cursing the tight skirt and stiletto pumps that slowed her down. He sloshed through several puddles on the dark street, ones she\u2019d avoided just moments before. She realized he\u2019d already turned the corner and she was in view. A narrow alley lay ahead illuminated by a naked, yellow bulb that hung over a massive steel delivery door.<\/p>\r\n<p>She\u2019d wheeled to her right heading toward the alley when her heel settled into an ancient pothole. She gasped and lurched forward. Gravity demanded she fall, ending the chase and her life, but she fought to stay upright, her strong legs and back preventing a collision with the concrete. She increased her speed again, but her ankle screamed in pain. The misstep cost her valuable seconds, and she knew he was gaining on her. Resisting the urge to look back, she pumped her arms harder and entered the black mouth of the alley. Darkness lay ahead and there was no way out. At any point she could careen into a brick wall or fence, but the alternative was worse.<\/p>\r\n<p>Her ankle throbbed and her feet slowed. He was right behind her, his heavy breathing audible. If she could reach the end of the alley, a sliver of hope existed. She lengthened her stride and felt a hand graze her shoulder. She cried out and lunged forward. He reached for her again, this time grabbing some strands of hair, but she kept going. And then the pavement beneath her disappeared.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jane\u2019s eyes flew open and she gasped, a spasm of terror shooting through her body. The one-night stand sleeping next to her didn\u2019t awaken. She glanced at the window and the slash of moonlight illuminating the bedroom. She sat up slowly, her head lolling between her knees. She knew before she looked at the nightstand that the digital display on her clock would show it was somewhere around two. Sure enough, it was 2:13. When her heart rate returned to normal, she rose from the bed, realizing this was the third nightmare in less than a week. She moved toward the window, conscious she was naked but comforted by the bright full moon.<\/p>\r\n<p>She saw it instantly, haloed by the nearby streetlight. A white orchid lay on her front walk.<br \/><p style=\"text-align: center;\">Chapter Two<\/p><br \/>Saturday, October 14th 7:55 AM<\/p>\r\n<p>A shrill ring ripped Ari from a deep sleep. She dislodged herself from Molly\u2019s strong arms and reached for her cell phone. \u201cAri Adams.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cGod, Ari, I\u2019m sorry to call this early, but I waited as long as I could. I\u2019ve been up since two this morning, so I figured if I wake up my best friend at eight on a Saturday, after sitting in my condo for six terrifying hours already, then I\u2019m still being rather considerate, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She rubbed her eyes, still half asleep. \u201cSweetie, slow down. I can\u2019t understand everything you\u2019re saying.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI got another orchid during the night. Somebody left it on my front walk, and now I\u2019m totally freaking out.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cOh, no. Okay, honey. It\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly sat up, her face full of concern.<\/p>\r\n<p>She covered the mouthpiece and whispered, \u201cJane got another orchid.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly shook her head and fell back against the pillow. \u201cShe needs to hire a PI.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She stroked Molly\u2019s blond curls as Jane continued to rant. While she loved Jane dearly, it was difficult to know whether a true emergency existed or if her melodramatic nature was responsible for the quake in her voice. Jane continued to barrel through her description while Molly kissed each of Ari\u2019s fingertips, and she struggled to focus on the conversation. She knew it would only be a matter of seconds before Molly began sucking on each one, an act of foreplay she couldn\u2019t resist.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cAri, what should I do?\u201d Jane moaned.<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly\u2019s lips closed around her middle finger, and Ari swallowed a sigh. \u201cJane, why don\u2019t we meet at my office at ten? I\u2019m not having an open house today, but I have to go in to do some paperwork. We can have some coffee and talk, okay?\u201d She hoped she didn\u2019t sound too rushed.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Jane said suspiciously. \u201cAre you with Molly? You are, aren\u2019t you? You guys are doing it. Holy shit, Ari! I\u2019m trying to talk to you about my potential murder, and you\u2019re getting it on with your girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She took a deep breath. \u201cJane, there\u2019s nothing I can do right now. Give me a couple hours and I\u2019ll help you figure this out. I promise. If it takes all day, we\u2019ll work on it, okay?\u201d She knew the prospect of spending a whole day together while talking about herself would definitely appeal to Jane.<\/p>\r\n<p>Jane sighed. \u201cFine. I just hope that I\u2019m not kidnapped or tortured between now and then. You\u2019ll feel really bad if my maimed and mutilated body goes undiscovered for weeks.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cNo, I\u2019d find it before then. I\u2019ll see you in a few.\u201d Before Jane could respond, she flipped her phone shut and tossed it on the nightstand. She retreated back into Molly\u2019s pleasurable embrace, savoring the gentle kisses Molly planted on her collarbone.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI take it Jane is upset.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cYes, this is the fourth orchid that someone has left. I\u2019m beginning to get a little worried about this.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly\u2019s expression sobered, and much to Ari\u2019s dismay, she sat up on her elbow. \u201cTell me again, when did this start?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cAbout two weeks ago. She found the first one in her cubicle at work. She didn\u2019t think anything of it. She thought maybe a grateful client had left it. She\u2019d closed a few deals that week, and she assumed it was from one of them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDid she check that out? Make some phone calls?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Ari shook her head. Molly stared at the far wall, lost in her thoughts. She knew Molly was moving deeper into cop mode, and once Detective Molly Nelson fully crowded her entire persona, she might as well get out of bed and start the day. \u201cJane hasn\u2019t done anything proactive. She just has her suspicions.\u201d She snuggled against Molly and kissed her cheek, allowing her hands to roam across her body. \u201cI really don\u2019t want to talk about Jane anymore. I\u2019ll help her figure it out later.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly cupped Ari\u2019s face in her hands. \u201cYou need to promise me that you won\u2019t do anything dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She bit her lip. She\u2019d nearly been killed a few months before, and while she doubted she would ever face that much danger again, she knew Molly was overly cautious about her life. She stared into Molly\u2019s crystal blue eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll be careful.\u201d It would be the perfect opportunity to share her feelings, but she knew Molly wasn\u2019t ready to hear the words.<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly kissed her and smoothed her hair. \u201cI just...well, I worry.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She knew it was the closest Molly would come to voicing her feelings. \u201cI know.\u201d A look of relief crossed Molly\u2019s face. \u201cShe needs to hire a PI. The police won\u2019t do anything because technically no crime has been committed.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI promise I\u2019ll suggest that to her when I see her,\u201d she said, quickly dismissing Jane\u2019s problems.<\/p>\r\n<p>She would spend the day with Jane, but right now she was in bed with Molly, who also was slated to work a stakeout in a few hours. 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