Page 19 of Win a Date with a Detective

I practically skip toward Bronson.

“What happened?”

He gives me a look.

“Rachel.”

“Is someone dead?”

“No.”

“Kidnapped?”

“No.”

“Did somebody find a body?”

“Why are you so enthusiastic about the possibility of someone being murdered?”

“I’m not enthusiastic about murder. I’m enthusiastic about the investigative process.”

He closes his eyes.

“Of course you are.”

I glance toward the crying woman again.

“Wait. Is this about the ring?”

Bronson’s expression changes.

And suddenly, I’m not quite so enthusiastic.

“Rachel, I need you to tell me exactly what happened when Vanessa let you try on her engagement ring.”

I blink.

“What?”

“The ring is missing.”

My jaw drops.

“Oh my God!”

“Exactly.”

“Somebody stole it?”

“That’s what we’re trying to establish.”

I look toward Vanessa.

Then her fiancé.

Then the security guard.

And finally back at Bronson.