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Beguiled
Beguiled
Beguiled
Ebook384 pages5 hours

Beguiled

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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About this ebook

When novelists Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand first met in a Houston critique group, they never expected where friendship would take them. She wrote romance; he wrote crime novels. But growing respect for each other's work culminated in the decision to try blending their talents into this wonderfully engaging story merging romance and mystery.

Rylee Monroe walks dogs in old-money Charleston, a part of the city recently targeted by a daring thief. Logan Woods works the crime beat for the local paper but dreams of a life as a nonfiction writer. When the string of robberies takes a strange twist, Logan sees the making of a once-in-a-lifetime book that seems to circle around this charming, eye-catching dogwalker. But pursuing the truth means ignoring that he seems to be falling for her. And what is she hiding in her past that could crack the story wide open?
LanguageEnglish
Release dateFeb 1, 2010
ISBN9781441207487
Author

Deeanne Gist

Deeanne Gist has rocketed up bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very fun, very original historical novels. She has won the National Readers’ Choice Award, Booksellers’ Best Award, USA Best Books Award, and stellar reviews. With a background in education and journalism, Deeanne has written for People, Parents, and Parenting magazines. Visit her online at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesFriends.

Read more from Deeanne Gist

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Rating: 3.6333333999999997 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is a cute part romance, part mystery, part suspense book that has some sexual tension but nothing more explicit than a barely described kiss. I like that the authors didn't go for the usual are they interested in each other or aren't they conflict that's so common to the romance genre.

    I kind of had an inkling about who the criminal was and why he was doing it to Rylee before it was revealed which is rare for me when I read mysteries. I'm usually clueless up until the reveal, but I still kept turning the pages.

    Logan is the kind of guy most women would love to have in their life. Maybe just a bit too good to be true.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Rylee Monroe's fortunes have changed since both her parents died within days of each other when she was about eight years old. She had been part of Charleston's elite, but now she and her grandmother, who raised her, have spent most of the small bequest they were left. To earn a living, and to keep a connection with the old Charleston she loves so well, Rylee works as a dogwalker for many of the city's wealthiest residents. Unhappily, several thefts have occurred, affecting some of her favorite clients. She meets a young journalist who is working the story, and becomes reacquainted with a handsome and wealthy young man, the son of her father's business partner. The mystery is real, and quite a puzzle. Early on there is tension between the two young men, as they vie for Rylee's affection, and in Rylee's mind as she struggles with her attraction to each. The dogs she walks are so beloved that the reader can't help but know their personalities, and love them, too. The city itself has a featured role in the story because as Rylee walks the dogs, often while on roller blades, she points out the famous streets and parks. And, it's a nice gentle Christian romance, with the "Christian" part of it not too overbearing.All in all, Beguiled is a light, entertaining read, perfectly suited for a teen or older woman who is looking for a romantic mystery that's none too graphic--as far as ether the romance or the crime.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Rylee Monroe is a dogwalker to the elite of Charlestown who live South of Broad St. A rash of thefts have been occurring South of Broad, by a criminal dubbed "The Robin Hood Burglar" since the stolen articles end up at churches or charities with notes to sell the piece and give the profits to the needy. Ever since Rylee nearly caught the Robin Hood Burglar in the act, she's been a bundle of nerves.Investigative newspaper reporter Logan Woods dubbed the Robin Hood Burglar in the papers first and has been hot on the trail of the story. He has contacts with the police, and he is eager to publish a book about crimes in Charlestown. The publisher only wants to accept the book if the Robin Hood Burglar story is included, but since the story is still ongoing, Logan needs it to end before his book is completed.As more and more Robin Hood thefts occur, the police find that nearly every victim is or had been a former client of Rylee's. The police focus their attention on her since her name keeps cropping up in the case. The more Logan digs, the more he realizes Rylee and her family are somehow involved in the Robin Hood burglaries though he can't see Rylee as a criminal. Indeed, he is beginning to fall in love with the beautiful dogwalker. Together, Logan & Rylee join forces to hunt down the real Robin Hood Burglar. As the thefts increase in anger & property damage, they realize they are trying to catch a very real criminal.Beguiled is a romantic suspense novel by two authors, Deeanne Gist, who writes romance, and J. Mark Bertrand, a suspense writer. I don't think this book had a seamless flow, and at times, it definitely seemed like a book written by two authors. I also didn't get how Rylee could always rollerblade so easily over bumpy cobblestones or scale a brick wall while wearing rollerblades (that part especially seemed unbelievable to me). I found the ending of the book somewhat forced and wasn't satisfied with the conclusion and *spoiler alert* I had long realized Rylee's father must have been killed & didn't desert his family, eons before the big reveal in the book, and the last 1/3 of the book seemed to move very slow, whereas the first 2/3 of the work seemed to have a better pace and flow. I'd give these authors another shot, especially in their own genres and maybe even if they collaborate again. I did very much enjoy the Charlestown setting and the descriptions of various parks, monuments, and restaurants.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Rylee Monroe walks dogs for very wealthy people in Charleston. When break-ins begin occurring in her clients' homes and unusual items are taken and given as donations they soon suspect that the "Robin Hood burgler" might just be Rylee.Logan Woods is a reporter for the paper. He's covering the "Robin Hood" story and wants to be the one who solves the case. He meets Rylee while trying to get some photos and the dog she's walking chases him through the park. They are both drawn to each other but she has trust issues and he's just not sure what he thinks of Rylee. As he continues to dig up facts about the story the pieces all seem to center around her. Is she trying to hide something from him? And is getting the story more important than his feelings for Rylee?I really enjoyed Beguiled. It was what I would call a "cozy mystery". The story kept me turning pages from the beginning until the end. I wasn't really sure who the guilty party was until near the end. The characters were interesting and fun. Logan was a true-to-life hero. I liked his interaction with Rylee. Rylee was a very genuine person. She had lots of things from her past that she was dealing with but was still a kind and loving person. I would recommend this to those who like a cozy mystery with a dash of romance. Thank you Bethany house for providing me with a complimentary review copy.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Rylee Monroe is a dogwalker for the wealthy people in Charleston. Logan Woods in a reporter/want-to-be-book writer who is following the break-ins in the Charleston neighborhood. The one similarity to these break-ins seems to be that Rylee Monroe is a dog walker for each of the houses being robbed. When Logan decides to help Rylee out by finding out who the real villian is he learns alot more about Rylee than he bargained for. Rylee has a hard time letting herself trust Logan and relying upon him, since her father supposedly left her and her mother when she was very young. This was a good mystery story with some romance thrown in to make it even better. I always enjoy a book that keeps me guessing up until the very end, and this book accomplished that. I really enjoyed the character of Rylee and her love of animals. When she ends up in a jail cell for a night I was appreciative of the prayer and realization she came to in her life. I liked the chemistry between Rylee and Logan too. A book well worth reading! Thanks to Bethany House for sending me the book and letting me review it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I am a big fan of Deeanne Gist. So when I saw this new book by her I was quick to request it. I read it as Soon as I recieved it and could not put it down. I coulda sworn I reviewed it in depth already, but since it is not showing up I will review it again.After reading this book I would not hesitate to pick up another collaboration between these authors even without reading the back of the book. They had a great cast of characters and the twists in the book were great. I look forward to seeing if they work on another book together and seeing what I can read by Bertrand alone.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Beguiled was very intriguing. The plot kept me captivated and made me not want to put it down - always the sign of a good book. The characters of Rylee & Logan were easy to relate to. It did not contain as much of the romance aspect that I normally like but I would recommend it to others.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Suprisingly wonderful read. A real page turner that has suspence and romance. These two arthors need to team up again. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    BEGUILED BY DEEANNE GIST & J. MARK BERTRAND is a romantic suspense with twists and turns. It has romance, mystery, intrigue and is wonderfully written. The characters are very engaging, the story is well written with depth. The secondary characters give the story more depth and insight. I would recommend this book. The story started out a little small for me but by the 2nd chapter you where craving more. Ms. Gist has done it again in the suspense world. 4.5
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Rylee Monroe has a thriving business as a dog walker and pet sitter, her clientele living in one of the wealthiest parts of Charleston, SC. When returning one of her charges to his home, she surprises a burglar and immediately calls 9-1-1 to summon the police. Dubbed the "Robin Hood burglar" because he always donates the stolen items to a charity, the thief seems to only strike homes where Rylee is employed. Fearing that the police consider her a suspect, she sets out to try and find the real thief.Rylee partners with crime reporter Logan Woods and the inevitable romance springs up between them. Logan, an aspiring novelist, struggles to balance his current newspaper job, demands from his literary agent, his growing affection for Rylee, and the search for Charleston's Robin Hood burglar.I snagged a copy of this book as an Early Reviewer. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I was aware before I started reading that the publisher, Bethany House, is well known for their publication of Christian fiction.As a mystery, the novel has a good and well-developed plot. Although it took me a little while to "get into" the story, I enjoyed this book and will be sharing it with other readers. I did, however, find that the "Christian" aspects were awkwardly inserted into the storyline rather than flowing naturally. If the authors could improve this aspect of the book, then the prayers and references to church and faith would just become part of the characters rather than standing out as if to say, "Hey, look! Over here! This is a Christian novel."So, I give this book 3 and 1/2 stars. It's better than average, but not outstanding.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The Good: For a book with two distinct authors, I thought that Gist and Bertrand did a commendable job of blending their voices to create a cohesive story. The main character, Rylee, was quite likeable and believable (I drooled a little over the freedom of her job!), and I was definitely rooting for her by the end of the novel. The Bad: As previously mentioned, this book definitely has a Christian slant which I wasn't expecting, and which I found fairly off-putting. This book (the Early Reviewers copy, at least) definitely wasn't marketed as such, and it got in the way of my enjoyment of the story. I also found the romance between Rylee and Logan a little cookie cutterish for me, and had a hard time with the fairly sparse development of their relationship. It was basically a boy meets girl, sparks fly, the end situation...not too fleshed out or interesting.The Gist: Overall, this is a well written and quick read...but be ready for the Christian tone, and don't expect much icing on your romance cookie. :)
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a good, fast read about a young woman, caught up in thefts affecting her dogwalking clients. When a journalist assigned to the case finds himself drawn to her, he starts digging into her past and discovers she's a lot closer to the case than either of them suspected.The spark between Riley, the dogwalker, and Logan, the journalist, is intriguing, and the mystery is suspenseful. I was admittedly caught by surprise at the mention of prayer and God, until I noticed the book is published by Bethany House... I've always avoided Christian fiction because I guess I've assumed God would be heavily shoved down my throat, but that wasn't the case here.The only drawback? I like my love stories to include a bit more than a lovely kiss. : ) This was a good one anyway!Recommended
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A delightful mystery with just the right amount of God, romance, and suspense to satisfy the christian fiction reader. Finished in a day - didn't really want it to end :) Fell in love with the main character and enjoyed the plausibility of the whole scenario. Didn't predict the villain!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Truly I do love Deeanne Gist's historical romances. This however is not historical, yet I still love it. The collaborative novel from Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand is fabulous. Edge of your seat suspense with the incapability of turning the pages fast enough. As well as heart palpitating terror in some pages that is reminiscent of a Mary Higgins Clark novel. Yet filled through out that pages in all of the plot is a thrilling romance that brings smiles and tears almost to my eyes with it's beauty. This is a novel that has just about all of it. I could not be more excited by this relationship of writing between two such authors (even though this is my first experience with Mark) and I look forward to more.


    *Thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy for review.*
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This novel's a mixture of contemporary romance and mystery with a dash of Christian fiction added in.I thought the main characters were cute and likeable and the romance (that there was) worked. I also thought the collaboration worked well between the two authors. If I hadn't been told it was by two authors, I wouldn't have guessed.I actually didn't like the mystery parts at all. I didn't like the cutesy names (for either the criminals or the awesome female newspaper editor), the multiple red herrings, or the twist ending.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I received this as part of the early reviewers program. I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise, but I sat down with it with as open a mind as possible.Beguiled is a mix of genres. At heart it's a crime novel. Someone is stealing things from the homes of Charleston's wealthy and Rylee, a rollerblading dogwalker, is the prime suspect. Rylee and Logan, the investigative journalist who's covering the story, are likeable and fun, so add to the mystery of whodunnit a romantic sub-plot. Logan's family is religious. His father says at one point that he didn't raise his son to be a once-a-week christian, so add to the mystery and the romance a generous dash of christianity, and you get Beguiled. The authors are careful not to overwhelm the mystery with either of the other two, because the mystery is pretty much the entire plot, and that's as it should be. The romance and the spirituality don't feel tacked on, and they are more entwined, but given these characters and who they are, that made sense to me. Some readers may not care for either romance or religion in their fiction. To which I can only say real life has love, religious people, and even religious people who fall in love in it. Personally, it's not something I'd actively seek out at the bookstore, but I thought it worked okay here. This is the authors' debut, and it shows a bit in places. They have a good foundation, though, and I suspect that they will only improve. They certainly know how to keep a story moving.

Book preview

Beguiled - Deeanne Gist

© 2010 by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ebook edition created 2010

Ebook corrections 04.18.2016 (VBN), 01.23.2019

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-0748-7

I Have Confidence by Richard Rodgers

© 1964, 1965 by Richard Rodgers

Copyright Renewed

WILLIAMSON MUSIC owner of publication and allied rights throughout the World International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Cover design by Andrea Gjeldum

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Acknowledgments

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Epilogue

Authors’ Note

About the Author's

Other Books by Deeanne Gist

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Back Cover

Acknowledgments

It was Mark’s idea to set this book in the historic district of Charleston. Deeanne had never been there, but its rich history appealed to her very much. When she made a trip to check Charleston out for herself, she fell in love with it.

We’d like to thank those who welcomed us with open arms and who gave up their valuable time by answering our many, many questions. In particular, we’d like to acknowledge Willie Morris of InterCoast Properties, Jane Barrett Dowd of Disher, Hamrick & Myers, and Kimberly Farfone of Bishop Gadsden. These three people selflessly gave up a great deal of time, educating us on Charleston’s culture and landmarks.

Charles and Sallie Duell, Abigail Martin and the folks from the Inn at Middleton Place were fabulous. (If you go to Charleston, make sure you visit their b&b historic home!) Deeanne imposed on Tom Hatley and Lynn Shaddrix of James Island Charter High School and Gayle Evers without any prior warning or appointments. They were all extremely gracious and giving of their time.

Authors always owe their editors a debt of thanks, even if it typically goes without saying. In this case, we simply must acknowledge the support of David Long, who championed the project from the beginning, served as a sounding board for ideas, and gave suggestions that made the book far better than it otherwise would have been.

Chapter One

Something wasn’t right. Rylee Monroe unclipped the leash from Romeo’s collar, then stood still in the quiet kitchen, all senses alert.

The toy schnauzer clicked across the wooden floor and lapped up water from his bowl, sloshing it over the sides in his enthusiasm. Not a speck of dust touched the slick black granite countertops. An assortment of spoons, ladles, and spatulas hung above the chromeplated gas stove. Above that, a row of dinner, salad, and dessert plates rested between vertical dowels.

From the kitchen, she could see the sunken sitting room and the archway opening into the dining room. White sheers hung in front of two bay windows, foiling the sun’s effort to fade the richly upholstered furniture. No cushion had been disturbed. Nothing was out of place.

She slowly closed the back door, turning the knob to reduce any noise she might make. Romeo looked up from his bowl, water dripping off his wet cheeks. Squatting down, she quietly patted her thigh.

He trotted over, tail wagging a mile a minute.

Listen, she whispered, wiping his chin and picking him up. You hear anything?

Outside, a tour bus struggled to accelerate. Distant sounds of electric saws, chisels, and hammers kept up a continual din. All normal sounds for the historic district of Charleston.

The floorboards above her squeaked under the weight of a footstep.

She stiffened. Had Karl come back to get something? She checked her watch. Ten o’clock. Too late to return for a forgotten item. Too early to quit for the day.

Romeo began to squirm. She tiptoed to the laundry room and set him behind the doggie gate. He immediately began to whine.

Shhhh. She gently held his mouth closed. I’ll be right back.

She glanced at the set of kitchen knives resting in a wooden block. The temptation to grab one was strong, but what if it was Karl? What would he think if he caught his new dogwalker creeping up the stairs with a butcher knife in her hand?

She kept to the edge of each step, where the wood had less give.

Sweat beaded her hands, playing havoc with her grip on the railing. At the halfway landing, she paused, her own breathing loud in her ears.

The hum from outside no longer reached her.

A creak from behind.

She spun around. A bust of Henry Timrod, the Poet Laureate of the Confederacy, stared back at her. She glanced down the stairs.

The massive front door with beveled-glass sidelights remained bolted and chained.

Taking a deep breath, she continued up, finally stepping onto the oriental rug gracing the second-story landing. The door to her right stood open. The foot of the four-poster bed and carved hope chest were visible and undisturbed.

The door to her left was closed. She frowned, wondering if it was always closed. She’d never had reason to go upstairs. In spite of how long she’d known the family, the Sebastians were new clients, and it was too soon for her to know what was normal and what wasn’t.

A shadow passed below the door.

Her heart tripped.

Then she forced herself to calm. She was going to feel awfully silly when that door opened and it was Karl.

The floor creaked again.

Hello? she said.

The shadow stilled, stopping in the center of the doorway.

Karl?

A scrambling from inside.

She touched her throat. What if he had a woman in there? Karl was unmarried. In his early thirties. And GQ-gorgeous.

Heat crept up her neck. "Karl? It’s me, Rylee. I don’t mean to be a bother. I just thought I heard something and wanted to be sure everything’s okay. Is everything okay in there?"

A whoosh. A clatter. A grunt.

Her pulse picked up again. He should have answered by now.

Karl? I’m coming in. She placed her hand on the knob, the brass cool to her sweaty palm. Slowly, slowly she turned the handle and peeked inside.

The bedroom stood immaculate. Another four-poster bed. A kentia palm tree. A mahogany chest of drawers. A tall urn.

She pushed the door the rest of the way open. Nothing.

With a crash, one end of the window’s curtain rod swung down.

She whirled around, her heart slamming in her chest. A man’s leg, tangled in gold brocade curtain, protruded from the window. He yanked the limb free, pulling the rod the rest of the way down.

Screaming, she bolted, banging the doorframe on her way out.

The noise set Romeo off. His loud, incessant yipping echoed through the kitchen like a homing beacon.

She scrambled down the stairs, swung around the landing, and rushed to the kitchen phone. Jumping over the dog fence and into the laundry room with Romeo, she slammed the door shut, then punched 9-1-1.

Please! There’s a burglar! He’s outside on the second-story balcony. Hurry!

The operator verified her location and kept Rylee on the line and talking.

Romeo stood with ears and tail up, barking so loudly she couldn’t hear a thing.

The shakes took hold. Her legs quaked. Her arms trembled. The phone slipped from her hands twice.

She slid down the door and onto the floor. Yes, yes. I’m fine Just hurry.

The questions and reassurances continued for a few minutes until a deep male voice rang out from the kitchen. Miss Monroe?

Yes! In here. She cracked the door open.

The uniformed man looked to be in his fifties but plenty robust.

You say you saw a prowler, ma’am?

She nodded. Upstairs. First door to the left. He was crawling out the window.

He pushed a button on the walkie-talkie strapped to his shoulder, dropped his voice an octave, and mumbled something indecipherable into it.

He looked at her. Close that door and don’t come out until I return for you.

Swallowing, she did as instructed. The shakes were worse now. Had the robber managed to get untangled and off the balcony? What if he was still there? What if he was younger and stronger than the officer? What if he had a gun and got the first shot off?

She’d be a sitting duck.

Romeo crawled into her lap, sensing her distress. She cuddled him close, drawing comfort from him. Most schnauzers had bobbed tails and ears and shaved bodies. Not Romeo. For whatever reason, he’d never been clipped. His ears and tail, along with the rest of his coat, were long, shaggy, and adorable. She’d fallen in love with him on sight.

She gave his head a kiss. Maybe that’s why they named him Romeo.

Picking up the phone she’d had earlier, she speed dialed Karl at the law offices of Sebastian, Lynch & Orton. Rylee Monroe calling. Would you tell Karl it’s an emergency, please?

Innocuous elevator music filled her ear before Karl picked up.

Rylee? What’s happened?

There’s been an intruder.

At the house? he exclaimed. Are you all right?

I’m fine. The police are here now.

Someone knocked on the laundry room door. Officer Quince here. You can come out now.

She scrambled to her feet. I’ll call you back, Karl.

No need, he said. I’m on my way.

Cracking the door, she peered around it. Did you catch him?

He’s long gone, ma’am.

Unhitching the doggie gate, she and Romeo joined him in the kitchen.

The officer listened to her story, making occasional notes as she spoke. So you didn’t get a good look at him?

No, sir.

White, black, Hispanic?

I couldn’t really tell. All I saw was that leg and boot trying to kick free of the curtain.

Is anything missing?

I don’t know. This isn’t my house.

He looked up. Not your house?

No. I’m the dogwalker. The house belongs to Grant and Amelia Sebastian.

Have you called them?

They’re on their honeymoon. I’m walking the dog while they’re gone. But Mr. Sebastian’s son lives here, too. He’s on his way now.

She gave the officer the last of her personal information just as Karl pushed open the back door, a lock of sun-kissed blond hair falling over eyebrows pale to the point of translucence.

He ran his gaze up and down her. Are you all right? Did he hurt you?

She shook her head. I’m fine.

You sounded pretty shaken on the phone. A well-tailored tan jacket nipped around his graceful frame, his white linen shirt lay open at the collar. His jeans gave the look a relaxed charm. Not exactly the attire she’d expect of a law-firm associate—she’d never seen his father in anything but suits and ties—but Karl knew how to wear his clothes.

I interrupted him while he was in one of the bedrooms upstairs. He sucked in his breath. Which bedroom?

Second floor, the one on the left.

A pained look crossed his face. "That’s my bedroom."

With the officer leading the way, the three of them headed upstairs. Now that there wasn’t a burglar to distract her, Rylee got a good look at the room. Not what she would have expected from a single man in his thirties. In spite of herself, she was impressed.

The crystal chandelier would have been better suited for a formal dining room. His bed was neatly made. Instead of clothing strewn all over the floor, a single linen jacket hung on an antique wooden valet with a pair of polished shoes underneath. A flat-screen tv atop the chest of drawers angled toward his four-poster. A dog-eared issue of the Robb Report and a dvd lay next to an urn.

She squinted, then smiled. Season Two of Heroes. She loved that show.

On the bedside table rested an iPod, a James Patterson paperback, and three remote controls, all neatly arranged.

Karl scanned the room, went into the bathroom, came back out, and then disappeared inside his closet. My jewelry casket!

Jewelry casket? The officer joined Karl. Following behind, Rylee noted the empty spot on the low shelf above his slacks.

Karl clamped a hand over his mouth, shaking his head. It’s nothing.

You sure about that?

Karl, Rylee said. What is it?

If he took something, sir, we really need to know about it.

Karl looked at them both, then surrendered with a shrug. Yeah, it’s missing. A kind of shrine-looking jewelry box. He gestured with his hands. It has all these hand-painted panels and finials that look like Roman statues. Dates to the mid-1800s. Been in our family for years.

Was the jewelry inside it worth much?

His eyes wide with distress, he strode out of the closet. No.

The officer nodded. Then it was the actual, um, casket that was valuable?

He tunneled a hand through his hair. To me, it was. But it’s not near as valuable as that amphora. He indicated the urn Rylee had seen earlier. Why couldn’t he have taken that?

How much is this urn worth? Quince asked.

Karl paced. Twenty-five thousand? Thirty? I’d have to check to be certain.

Rylee swung her attention back to the urn. It was about a foot-and-a-half tall, had a narrow neck and two handles. Engraved silhouettes of male and female figures decorated its bowl. She’d seen something just like it at Hobby Lobby last week.

And the jewelry box? the officer asked. What’s your best guess there?

Karl rubbed his forehead. I really couldn’t say for sure. Not much, though. Somewhere in the one to two thousand dollar range?

Rylee frowned. Two thousand dollars? And he’d have preferred for the robber to have taken the thirty thousand dollar urn?

She wondered if the jewelry box had a sentimental value.

Inwardly cringing, she fingered the pearl drop hanging around her neck. It was the only memento she had of her mother’s. And no price could be put on that.

"Well, that fits the modus operandi of our Robin Hood burglar," the officer said.

Karl shook his head. It’s not him.

I’d be willing to bet, sir. This will make the third time he’s hit a house south of Broad and left with only one piece—and a piece that wasn’t close to being as valuable as some of the other items in the house. We’ll know for sure when—if—the piece gets donated to some nonprofit somewhere. He scribbled on his pad. You sure nothing else is missing?

Karl blinked, as if he didn’t understand the question, his self-assurance suddenly gone.

Rylee moved next to him, touching his sleeve. Did the box have sentimental value?

His tanned skin had lost all its color. Yes, he said softly. Very much so.

She squeezed his arm. I’m so sorry.

The officer cleared his throat. Is anything else missing, Mr. Sebastian?

Karl opened a few drawers, went back into his closet, and then came out again. Not that I can see. He stopped at the window.

The curtain rod lay at his feet, rich brocade pooling around it like liquid gold. The guy came in through here?

We’re not sure. He definitely left through there, though.

Karl nodded.

Would you mind taking a look at the rest of the house to see if anything looks out of the ordinary?

Of course not.

A search of all four stories offered up no further clues.

In the kitchen, the officer shook Karl’s hand. We’ll be in touch. In the meanwhile, see if you can locate a picture of that jewelry casket.

Will do, Officer. Thanks. He closed the door, then turned back to Rylee.

I’m so sorry, Karl.

Yeah. He shook himself. But it’s only stuff. You know? It could have been worse. Something could have happened to you. Are you sure you’re all right?

I’m fine.

I saw you rubbing your shoulder.

She touched her right shoulder. I ran into the doorframe trying to get out of the bedroom.

He frowned and stepped toward her. Let me see.

It’s nothing. Really.

He lifted a brow, his eyes more turquoise than blue.

Flustered, she dipped down the side of her summer cardigan.

He brushed her shoulder with his fingers. Looks like you’re going to have a nasty bruise.

He was close. Very close.

She shrugged the sweater into place. It’ll be fine. I hardly even feel it.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, deepening his laugh lines. Liar.

She softened. It’s good to see you smile.

She’d had a crush on him for three years. Ever since his father, a longtime friend of her family, had helped sell her house on Folly Beach. Anytime Karl made the society news, she always took note.

But she’d never expected him to notice her.

She swallowed. Well, unless you need anything else, I probably ought to get going.

You’ll be back tonight?

She glanced at her watch. Yes. I’ll make sure Romeo gets in a good walk and some dinner.

Tonight, then.

She skirted around him, then darted toward the door.

Rylee?

She turned.

This yours? He held up a pink and yellow Vera Bradley messenger bag.

Yes. She took it and slipped it over her head, careful not to wince when the strap hit her sore shoulder. Thanks.

You’re welcome.

She backed up. Right. Well. See ya, Karl. See ya, Romeo.

With a quick wave, she stumbled out the door.

Chapter Two

Rylee wasn’t afraid of the dark. If anything, she preferred it. The tourists flooding Charleston all day cleared out of the Battery after sundown, so she had the wide streets and cobbled alleyways all to herself.

But now that she’d come face-to-face with the Robin Hood burglar—or face to foot, anyway—the possibility of running into him again put her on edge. He’d hit the Sebastian house in broad daylight, but most of his breakins had occurred in the dead of night.

Therefore, she’d decided to now start her evenings with the smallest and friendliest canines in her charge, saving her biggest dog, Toro, for the late-night walks.

Nobody’s gonna mess with us. Sitting on the Davidsons’ piazza, she gave Toro a vigorous scratch, then strapped on her rollerblades. And if they do, you be sure to take a bite out of them. Okay, boy?

The Argentino mastiff panted in response.

She slipped her bag across her shoulders, then stood and pushed off. The two of them headed up Meeting, then hooked a right on Tradd. Toro paused to do his business in front of the old tavern—the carved crescent moons on its green shutters signaled its purpose in the olden days. Across the street—and quite convenient—was what used to be a brothel. Its cream shutters sported hearts.

Rylee looked up and down the street wondering, not for the first time, what it would have been like to live at a time when the most recognizable icons weren’t golden arches, but hearts and moons.

A flash of movement down the alley caught her eye. Stiffening, she scrutinized the area. The darkness ebbed and flowed, making as many varied shapes as the clouds in the sky.

She tugged on Toro’s collar. Come on, boy. Let’s get moving.

They turned on East Battery and passed Romeo’s house. Toro began to slow, eventually stopping beside an old carriage post.

She shifted her weight, trying not to hurry him but anxious to keep moving. This particular spot evidently had some enticing smells, though, because she had a hard time drawing the mastiff away.

Glancing behind her, she gave the leash a determined yank. "Come on, Toro."

They cut across Atlantic Street to Meeting, then to South Battery. Less than an hour earlier, the antebellum homes opposite White Point Gardens had been ablaze with life. Now they sat dark and foreboding.

Swiveling on her rollerblades, she skated backward. No sign of anyone following. Nothing but a couple of streetlamps and a lot of black to hide in.

Toro trotted along, totally oblivious to the possibility of anyone lurking. Straining to listen, she heard nothing but the clack of her rollerblades and the treetops stirred by the balmy evening breeze.

She faced forward and looked at her watch. Eleven o’clock already. Just one more block to the waterfront, then they’d turn around.

Toro edged ahead on the straightaway, snapping the leather leash taut. His body strained with energy, pulling her forward, dispelling her worries with exhilarating speed. Her lips curved into a smile. She crouched lower on the rollerblades, letting Toro do the work.

This was what she loved about her job, the physical bond between walker and dog, the feeling she was invulnerable, at one with the world around her.

Toro halted abruptly, ears back, tail stiff. Rylee jerked to a stop, glancing back toward the alley. What is it, boy?

But it wasn’t the path behind them that held him riveted. He growled into the darkly wooded park up ahead. Following his gaze, she peered into the darkness.

A shape moved behind the hedges. The outline of a man—no, two men—materialized.

Her heart jumped. The figures crouched low to the ground; then one of them straightened and moved forward, coming straight for her.

She tried to speak, but no sound came out.

Toro leapt forward.

No, Toro! Down! Down! Grinding her blades against the concrete, she jerked back on his lead with both hands. But it was no use. She couldn’t stop him.

The leash threatened to slip through her palms, but she held tight. The last thing she wanted was to be separated from the mastiff.

Toro dragged her into the park, making a beeline for the men. The silhouettes froze for an instant, then bolted.

The first one cut sideways in the direction of a gazebo. As he passed through a gap in the trees, lamplight from overhead faintly illuminated him. A tall black man with something clenched in his pumping hand.

Her breath caught. A gun?

Toro ignored him, locking in on the other man, who fled toward the edge of the park. The man emerged from the trees onto a circular courtyard surrounding the Confederate Soldier Memorial. In the light, she saw he wore a baseball uniform.

Baseball uniform?

Before she could process that thought, Toro closed the gap, dragging her behind him like an anchor.

The man had nowhere to go. The only thing beyond the park was miles of bay. The moment he stopped for breath, they’d be on top of him.

But he didn’t stop. He headed straight for the monument, never glancing back. He traversed the broad steps leading up to the pedestal, then took a running leap. His body sailed through the air, arms extended.

Rylee held her breath. No way was he going to reach the top of the pedestal. It was far too high. But his fingers hooked the edge of the stone, and after dangling a moment, he hoisted himself up.

Any other time, she’d have been impressed with his jump. Instead, she focused on the low brick wall surrounding the monument. She barely cleared it, her rollerblades slamming down on the opposite side.

As the memorial’s steps rushed up to meet her, she yanked again on Toro’s leash. Hard. There was no way she could navigate the steps at this speed.

But the mastiff wasn’t stopping. At the last moment, she let go of the leash, swerving to a breathless stop.

Toro launched himself against the pedestal, then threw his body again and again into the air, snapping at the man but unable to reach him.

He stared down at the dog wide-eyed. His face flushed, his chest heaving.

She wasn’t sure what to do. She glanced back into the park. Apart from pools of light here and there, the grounds were dark. A shadow flicked from one tree to another. A chill ran up her spine.

Was the other guy circling back? Would Toro be able to protect her from both men?

She dug through her bag—a jumble of leashes, poop bags, keys, a flashlight, and a water bottle—until she seized on the plastic body of her cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. Twice in one day.

Yes. There are a couple of guys after me. Please hurry. I’m in White Point Gardens by the Confederate Memorial. I have one of the men cornered.

What are you doing? the man shouted in disbelief.

She glanced at him again.

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