Nans took Lexy by the arm and practically ran her out of the building into the car. Once she was seated, she whipped her iPad out of her purse and started typing like a mad woman.

"What are you doing?" Lexy asked.

"Sending a message to Ruth ... I need her to find out everything she can about this Ramona person. And we need to get back to my place pronto ... I think we might be getting close to solving this case."

Chapter Nineteen.

"I know Ramona has something to do with this," Nans said once they were back in her apartment with Ida, Ruth and Helen. "Did you find anything Ruth?"

"I didn't have much time to search on her, Mona ... I mean you only called like fifteen minutes ago."

"Oh, sorry. Sometimes I get carried away." Nans gave a sheepish shrug.

"But I did find something interesting about Stuart Wiggins." Ruth's eyes twinkled.

"You did?"

"Yep. It seems he's been getting credit card advances over the past three months. That money doesn't appear in his bank account ... and it all adds up to just a little over fifty thousand dollars."

"He could have used it to pay for wedding stuff," Lexy said picturing her own mounting wedding expenses.

"True." Ruth nodded. "But I also discovered that he and Ramona went to the same college in Texas ... and guess who else went there?"

Lexy, Nans, Ida and Helen stared at her. Finally, Helen said, "I give up ... who?"

"Eddie Sharp."

"What did Ramona go to college for?" Lexy wondered.

"Computer Technology," Ruth said. "She barely graduated. It says here she works at the museum too."

"So, all three of them went to college together and got jobs at the same place." Ida shrugged. "So what? Lots of people remain friends for years after college and recommend their friends for jobs at their place of employment."

"It does make sense that Veronica could have met Stuart through Ramona. Lots of people introduce their friends to each other," Helen pointed out.

"So, maybe Stuart was into something with Philippe and that's why they were both killed. Veronica might just have been in the wrong place and got killed along with Philippe," Lexy said.

"Or Veronica was in on it too and the killer wanted all three of them dead," Ida added.

"Yes, but what were they into and who killed them?" Nans asked.

"I don't know," Lexy said as she stood up. "But I think finding the money trail is a job for the police and I'm pretty sure all this evidence lets me off the hook. In fact, I'm going to call Jack as soon as I get home and let him know."

"But what about Ramona?" Nans asked.

"She's just mean," Lexy said. "Always was in school, too. Her behavior might seem suspicious, but for her, acting like that is normal."

"Does that mean you don't want to come with me to interrogate her tomorrow?" Nans looked crestfallen.

"Sorry, Nans. It's the day before my wedding and I have a ton to do." Lexy felt a tug at her heart-she hated to disappoint Nans but she did have a lot of last minute errands to run. "Besides, it seems like the case is pretty much solved. Davies just needs to connect the money between Wiggins and Philippe and find the other person involved and she'll have her killer."

Lexy was halfway to the door before Ida's voice stopped her. "Wait a minute. If it's as you say ... then why did someone break into your house?"

Lexy's brow creased.

She turned around. "That's a good question. I guess they must think I have something ... although I can't imagine what. I'm sure the police will figure that all out once you give them this information you found."

"Well, you better be careful, dear," Nans said. "The killer is loose out there and he may still think you have something he needs."

Lexy pushed away the niggle of doubt that clutched at her as she pulled out of the Brooke Ridge Falls Retirement Center. Nans and the ladies had found compelling evidence that Stuart Wiggins and Philippe were into something together and she could trust the police to come to the right conclusion. Couldn't she?

She thought about Davies and wondered if she was competent enough to figure the rest of it out.

Well, she'll just have to be, Lexy thought, because she didn't have time to continue an investigation herself right now.

Her heart flooded with warmth as she thought about her wedding. Hers and Jack's wedding. It was going to be beautiful. The weather was supposed to be sunny and in the seventies. The leaves were in full color and she'd be wearing her gorgeous dress. If she could tie up some of the loose ends tomorrow and make it to the rehearsal dinner, everything would be perfect.

She pulled up in front of her house and walked to the front door, her stomach clenching as she put the key in the lock. She was still a little spooked about the break-in and apprehensive about what she might find inside.

She took a deep breath and shoved the key in. It's no good being afraid of walking into your own home, she thought as she shoved the door open. Her breath came out in a whoosh of relief-the house was exactly as she left it.

"Lexy! Is that you?" Vera's voice echoed across the entire neighborhood.

She turned and poked her head out the door to see Vera running across the lawn, her arms loaded with mail, Sprinkles racing along beside her.

"Hi Mom," Lexy said.

"I got your mail ... the box was overflowing." Vera handed Lexy the pile.

"I guess I must have forgotten about it, the past couple of days have been so busy," Lexy said grabbing the mail. "Come on in."

Lexy felt exhausted. The stress of the past few days was catching up with her. She collapsed on the couch, throwing the mail on the coffee table. Sprinkles jumped up beside her and she hugged the small dog, her heart surging at her unconditional love. Giving the dog a kiss on the head, she turned her attention to the mail.

"Let's see what's in here." She sorted through the pile, throwing each piece down on the table after she looked at it. "Bills, bills, bills, catalog, letter ..."

"Why are there always so many bills and never any checks?" Vera joked.

"I know." Lexy laughed. "Well none of this needs immediate attention." She frowned at the letter. She didn't recognize the handwriting or the name on the return address. Probably someone sending her wedding wishes.

"You look exhausted," Vera said. "I have some beef stew cooking in the crock pot, why don't you come over and eat with us?"

"That would be great, Mom."

"Oh good." Vera clapped her hands. "We only have a few more days together until you go on your honeymoon and we take off again in the big rig, and we want to see as much of you as we can."

"Me too." Lexy got up and hugged her mother as they started out the door. She was careful to close it and lock it before turning to follow her mother to the RV. She was just starting across the lawn with Sprinkles running circles around her ankles when something at the end of the street caught her eye.

Her stomach lurched-was that the tail end of a black car disappearing around the corner?

Lexy hesitated then realized she was just being paranoid. How many black cars were there in Brooke Ridge Falls? It was probably just one of the neighbors driving home. She followed Vera into the RV, stopping at the door to cast one last nervous glance over her shoulder, to make sure the street was empty before she went inside.

Chapter Twenty.

Lexy plumped her pillow and rolled over to face the windows. The sun streaming in through the leaves on the big oak tree out front created a kaleidoscope of light on her floor and bedspread.

It was going to be another beautiful day. Lexy smiled as she reached under the covers to pet Sprinkles. Today was the day before her wedding and, now that the messy triple murder was soon to be resolved, she could relax and focus on starting her new life as Mrs. Jack Perillo. Which meant she better get going-she had to run some last minute errands or there might not be a wedding tomorrow.

She jumped into the shower, and then changed into a pair of comfy jeans and a plain black tee-shirt. Tying her hair in a ponytail, she grabbed her white hoodie, put Sprinkles into her harness and then headed out the door with the little dog at her side.

Lexy drove downtown, glancing every few minutes in the rear-view mirror. She was still a little spooked by the black car she thought she kept seeing, but no one followed her. Maybe Davies had already arrested the killer.

"Are you ready for a spa treatment?" Lexy asked Sprinkles as she pulled up in front of the Pretty Paws dog grooming. Sprinkles looked out the window then eyed Lexy dubiously. Clearly, the dog was not fooled by the word spa'.

Lexy got out of the car and came around to the passenger side to collect Sprinkles. She opened the door and tugged on the leash. Sprinkles hopped out grudgingly.

"You're gonna like this Sprinks. I promise," Lexy said as she pulled to dog into the groomers.

Lexy handed Sprinkles over to the girl behind the desk and walked out to the sidewalk, enjoying the sun warming her shoulders. It was already seventy degrees-she wouldn't need her hoodie today. She unzipped the sweatshirt and threw it into her car, then opted to walk the three blocks to the caterer where she finalized the appetizer selection and gave the menu her final approval.

She took her time on the way back, looking in the shop windows. She spotted a Gucci bag she would have loved, but couldn't quite afford. She stopped in front of the chocolatier, her mouth watering at the fancy chocolates in the window and the smell of rich chocolate that filled the air.

She was debating on whether she should buy a hunk of almond bark when she saw the reflection of a black car in the window. Her heart froze and she whirled around just in time to see it disappearing around the corner.

Was it the same car she'd seen before?

She hadn't gotten a good enough look to be sure but she hurried back to the safety of her car anyway. Sitting inside, she adjusted the rear view mirror to look at the traffic. After a few minutes with no black car in sight, she relaxed.

Probably just my overactive imagination.

She glanced at her watch. With two more hours until she could pick up Sprinkles, now was the perfect time to check in at the bakery. She pulled out of her parking spot and pointed her car toward The Cup and Cake.

"So Davies doesn't think you're the killer anymore?" Cassie asked after Lexy had filled her in on the information the ladies had dug up.

"Well, she hasn't exactly said as much, but since she hasn't arrested me, I feel pretty confident that she's ruled me out." Lexy poured herself a french vanilla coffee from the self-serve station in the cafe section of The Cup and Cake, then sat down at the table across from Cassie. The girls had spent the last two hours baking a batch of pies and were now taking a well-deserved break.

"But the killer still thinks you know something ... or have something, right?" Cassie narrowed her eyes at Lexy over the steaming mug of herbal tea she held up to her lips.

Lexy looked across the street at the falls. The soothing motion of the cascading water contrasted with the feeling of uneasiness that was creeping into her chest. "I'm not sure. I have no idea what they were looking for in there."

Cassie's phone chirped and she dug for it in her pocket. "It's a text from John. Let me text him back and see if he knows anything about the case."

Lexy sipped her coffee while Cassie used her thumbs to message John. A few seconds later, her phone chirped again.

"No one has been arrested," Cassie said.

"Do they have any suspects?" Lexy asked.

Cassie thumb typed into her phone again, then set it on the table and took a bite of the cannoli she'd swiped from the case.

The phone chirped again and Cassie picked it up. "He says he doesn't know if there are any suspects but he said he heard Davies say something about putting a tail on you."

Lexy's brow creased. Was it Davies in the black car she kept seeing?

"That's crazy, why would they want to follow me?" Lexy asked.

Cassie shrugged. "Maybe she thinks you are going to lead her to a clue ... or incriminate yourself somehow."

"Incriminate myself? But I didn't do anything!"

"Well you know that and I know that, but Davies ... I'm not so sure what she knows."

Lexy chewed on her bottom lip and tapped her finger on the glass tabletop. What if Davies still thought she was involved and arrested her before the wedding ... or told her she couldn't leave town on her honeymoon? Perhaps she'd been too hasty in assuming Nans' information would give Davies what she needed to arrest the real killer.

She stared out the window at the falls. The sun was just at the right angle so that it reflected like jewels off the rushing water. With a start, Lexy realized it was late afternoon. She pushed herself away from the table.

"I better get going. I have to pick up Sprinkles at the groomers and then go home and get ready for the rehearsal dinner."

"Rehearsal dinner? Oh, is that tonight?" Cassie scrunched her brow and tilted her head at Lexy.

Lexy had a moment of panic ... then realized her friend was teasing. "Very funny. You and John will be there, right? I mean you are the maid of honor and best man."

"Of course," Cassie said. "Eight o'clock on the dot."

"Okay. See you then," Lexy said and then downed her coffee before rushing out the door to her car.

Chapter Twenty One.