Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
When two people were truly in love, they counted each other as one, and it was through this that they could experience twice the pleasure from shared successes while the pain was halved during times of trouble.
They would always be each other's helpmates...except of course when there was a murder mystery to be solved, and only one of them could earn the title of Foxtown's best detective.
Lucius had a hard time keeping his face expressionless. While Tassina had been properly awed and appreciative when flying class for the first time, it was only upon stepping inside one of Foxtown's newest attractions that Tassina looked as if she had suddenly won the lottery.
No expense had been spared to turn the two-story structure into a fancy detective agency in the 19th century. High ceilings and glossy wood panelings. Gas lamps in sconces and the faint scent of tobacco. High-backed velvet chairs and thick Persian rugs. A fully stocked wine bar in one corner and a grandfather clock in another. Shelves stocked with old leather-bound books, antique-looking globes, and a selection of magnifying glasses.
A bell chime on the reception counter caught Tassy's attention, and she glanced at Lucius in askance. The billionaire nodded, and her heart pounded against her chest as she rang the bell.
A secret door behind the counter opened, and an older man with a well-trimmed mustache emerged. "Good evening." He looked at them inquiringly. "I'm Constable Dill. May I have your names, please?"
Since Lucius looked as if he would rather starve than introduce himself as a duke, Tassy decided it was up to her to show him how fun it was to play make-believe as adults.
"Good evening, sir. I'm, um, Miss Bautista—-" As much as she wished she could introduce herself as a lady, Tassy had a feeling such titles were not dispensed freely in Foxtown. "—-while this gentleman is um, Lord Lucius, the Duke of Windtowne."
"Ah." Constable Dill nodded understandingly. "I was told to expect you."
Tassy was finding it more and more difficult to contain her excitement as the older man placed three folders on the counter. "Here are the cases you may choose to solve."
Tassy looked at Lucius encouragingly. "You be the one to choose this time." She was hoping to get the billionaire more involved and invested, but she was also praying that he would choose something gory and hardcore.
The Case of the Hungry Ghost had Edgar Allan Poe written all over it while The Case of the Bloody Key was very—-
"Let's go with this one then."
Aaargh!
Lucius hadn't even glanced at the folders when he picked one out, and of course they just had to end up with the one case that looked like it was designed for Junior Detectives...Preschool Version.
"The Case of the Time Traveling Thief." Tassy managed to smile brightly after reading the case title out loud. "This is so, um, unique!" She flipped the folder open and went on reading.
Greetings, detectives, and thank you for visiting us from the future!
Her eyes widened. Did this mean she and Lucius were also time travelers? She didn't see that coming at all, and her curiosity was definitely piqued.
Last night, Lord and Lady Cabbage held a party in their townhome. One of their guests, Lady Pumpkin, had fallen asleep in their library. Upon waking, she realized her pearl necklace was missing, and authorities were immediately informed.
Our preliminary investigation has narrowed the list of suspects to these three individuals who were seen entering and leaving the library within the period of time the theft was likely to have taken place.
We have reason to believe that one of them is also from the future and that the stolen necklace will be used to disrupt the time continuum.
Lucius could no longer keep his lips from twitching. Tassy was shifting restlessly from one foot to another by the time she finished reading the case file, and she was practically skipping in glee as they followed Constable Dill down a hallway lined with framed old maps and various illustrated charts of the human body.
Constable Dill opened one of the doors to their right. "Please have a seat, Your Grace, Miss Bautista. I'll have the first suspect with you shortly."
Lucius shook his head at how his Tassina was unable to sit still while they waited for the constable to return.
"Nervous about handling your first case, Ms. Bautista?"
"Oh, please. Speak for yourself, Your Grace," Tassy said airily. "I can solve this case even with my eyes closed."
Never had he encountered a woman so eager to defeat him, and the fact that she believed she truly stood a chance was rather...cute.
Foolish, too, of course, but incredibly cute.
Tassy offered her hand. "May the best detective win."
He took hold of her hand, but just when she thought he would give it a shake—-
"I think what you mean is congratulations."