One Step Ahead, Audrey Walker [best book club books of all time TXT] 📗

can see why he would be so obsessed,” James said with an enticing smile. “You look charming.”

The Captain cleared his throat and walked out after throwing a look toward Robin.

“I will update you on where we stand right now,” Robin said.

“You do that,” Kyle said, looking sour for some reason.

“This is quite a problem you have on your hands,” James said. “Perhaps you and I can meet for coffee later to put our heads together and discuss it?”

“Of course,” Robin said. “I have all the files here. Our most recent update is that we believe the warehouse is the site of the next murder. We have surveillance on it, but there is a chance that he has already committed the murder and disposed of the body elsewhere.”

“I see,” he said. “I must say, excellent work on it so far,” James said, smiling at her. “I look forward to working on this case with you. I think we are going to be a rather good team. Don’t you agree, Detective Grange?”

Kyle looked up, frowning, and said, “Sounds just positively beautiful. We can all hold hands and skip around while we are at it. Update him on the investigation, Robin.”

He got up and walked out of the room, and Robin called out, “Where are you going?”

“To smoke a damn cigarette,” he grumbled back.

Chapter Four

“Oh, you look absolutely beautiful,” Robin whispered, looking at her sister.

Abby stood in front of her, dressed in an elegant long gown ad beaming at everyone.

“Robin,” Abby whispered. “Guess what?”

“What?” Robin asked.

“I am going to be a bride!” Abby shouted and reached out to hug her sister.

“Is it just registering?” Robin asked, laughing loudly.

“I mean, I knew I was getting married,” Abby said. “But now it’s finally hitting me. Can you believe it? I am going to be married.”

“Actually, I can,” Robin said. “And if Mom and Dad were here right now, I know how proud they would have been.”

“I barely remember them,” Abby said softly.

“Well, they loved us,” Robin said. “And if they had their way, they would have never left us.”

“They would have been proud of you too, Sis,” Abby said. “The way you raised and protected me. The way you loved me as if I was your own daughter. The strong, independent, powerful woman you have become; they would have been so happy.”

Robin wiped the tears that were falling down her sister’s cheek and said, “Are you really going to cry? And on your bridal shower?”

“Oh, you know I can’t stop the tears,” Abby said, and Robin laughed.

“Come on girls; it’s time to party!” Lacy, one of Abby’s friends, shouted.

“I can’t believe you managed to book this place,” Abby said.

“Well, I had to talk to the manager, but I managed,” Robin said. “I know you wanted to get married here but couldn’t, so I thought I could at least do this.”

“The same place where Mom and Dad got married,” Abby said, looking around. “Can you imagine? All those years ago? They stood where we were, vowing to be together forever. Oh, Mom must have made a pretty bride.”

“Abby,” Robin whispered. “I have something for you.”

“Hmm?” Abby asked, still looking around with tears in her eyes.

“This necklace belonged to Mom,” Robin said. “It was one of the few things of hers that she passed on to me. I remember she once said that she wanted me to wear it at my wedding, but I have decided to give this to you.”

Robin held out the small necklace, with a heart-shaped pendant hanging from the chain.

“Robin,” Abby whispered.

“No, take it,” Robin said. “It’s yours. A part of mom will be with you on your wedding day.”

Abby burst into tears again and hugged her sister. “This is beautiful; I can’t thank you enough.”

“Alright, let’s get to it,” Sara shouted. “Time to party! You two girls need to stop loitering in the corner and get a move on. This party isn’t going to the part itself!”

“Part itself?” Robin asked. “That doesn’t even make any sense.”

“Probably because she is drunk,” Abby said. “So much for a sophisticated event.”

“Well, then, let’s get drunk!” Robin said with a grin, holding up a glass.

“Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Abby said. “Let’s go.”

Robin followed her sister to the main party, where Abby’s friends were already half-drunk and dancing along.

“Wanna dance?” Abby asked.

“I thought you would never ask,” Robin said.

Robin started to dance, laughing and enjoying herself. For the first time in a while, she completely forgot about what was happening. Robin didn’t think about the Butcher or the Executioner or about the nightmares and memories that haunted her. She didn’t think about the dead women that deserved justice. She felt the weight fall off her shoulders as she drank glass after glass, enjoying the beat of the music.

“This is the most fun I have had in ages,” Robin shouted over the music.

“I keep telling you,” Abby shouted. “You need to loosen up. By the way, who is that hottie that I saw you at work with yesterday? You know, when I visited to check up on you?”

“You mean James?” Robin asked.

“Oh, on a first-name basis, are we?” Abby said, laughing.

Robin blushed and said, “He is just a colleague. He is from the FBI to help us with the investigation.”

“That doesn’t change how hot he is,” Abby said, grinning.

“Well, I have to agree there,” Robin said. “Not only is he hot, but he has a rather charming manner. I am not sure I like him, though.”

“What? Why not?” Abby asked.

“He is too nice,” Robin said. “Too perfect. Too good.”

“I don’t believe this,” Abby said. “Since when has too good been a reason to not go after a man? I think this is your detective-brain talking. You are too suspicious, Robin. You never trust anyone. If you don’t stop acting so skeptical about everything, you are going to find life very difficult.”

“I just –” Robin protested.

“Jim is too nice,” Abby said. “He is too good and too charming. What if I had thought like