TREVOR KNEW THE BEST place to go for help in Ransom with a case like this wasn’t the cops. Sure, when it came to following the right channels to do things legally, they were the best place. But if he wanted to know about the movements of people in town and the appearance of any strangers, no one could beat the L.O.L. Gang. The downside was that he’d have to pay the pinch tax. His ass was not looking forward to that.

“Where are we going?” Dina asked.

“Just around the corner up here.” The nice thing was that nothing was more than fifteen minutes away.

“This is Ransom. Everything is just around the corner. Where are we going?”

He chuckled. Dina liked facts and knowing things. She was a bit of a control freak, but with her past he could understand that.

“If anyone wants to know anything in Ransom, you have to go to the tea room,” he said.

“The tea room?”

Trevor parked his SUV along the main drag in town, out front of the ancient, glass fronted store with a sign that read Times Remembered Antiques. It was one of the few buildings that had survived the fire that destroyed much of the historic buildings from before the 1900s. The shop was packed to the ceiling with items from people’s homes, things the owners had brought back from traveling or auctions. The place was practically a museum where a person could bring what they liked home with them.

Since there was no furniture store in town, the owners also ran a little side business out of the back selling cheaper pieces for the budget conscious. When he’d first moved out on his own he’d gone there first to buy a bed, sofa and something to put his TV on.

“Are you sure about this?” Dina asked.

“Positive.” He knew at least one of the L.O.L.’s lived near Dina’s rental house. The lot of them were nosy and suspicious of anyone or anything new. “Come on.”

He got out of the SUV. His phone vibrated against his hip.

Shit.

Had Casey already filed the report?

Trevor stepped up on the curb to join Dina and glanced at the screen.

Jenna Martin.

Double shit.

It made sense Casey would call her first. After that bullshit at Dina’s house Trevor should have expected this call.

“One second,” Trevor said to Dina before answering. “Hello?”

“Good, you’re awake.” Jenna sounded chipper.

“Morning to you, too.”

“Did I tell you The Love Barn has an opening the weekend of our save the date?” Jenna spoke in a rush. Maybe she didn’t know about Dina yet?

“No.”

“They do, so I’m going over there for a walk through this morning. Alex and Sterling are working, so I was hoping you could go with me.”

“Ouch. I’m third pick? Guess it’s better than not being picked at all.”

“Do you want me to call you about everything wedding? Because I can. You are a...what are we calling you?”

“Bride’s man. When are you supposed to be there?”

“Eleven.”

“I’ll be there. See you soon, Jenna.”

Trevor glanced at the clock. They’d have an hour or so with the L.O.L.’s before he needed to head out to The Love Barn.

“What was that about?” Dina frowned at him.

“Nothing. We’ll have to make a stop later, but first—coffee?” He pulled the shop door open.

“Who was that?”

“Jenna. She’s part of our team.” He placed his hand on the small of Dina’s back and guided her inside.

“Oh?” She stepped through ahead of him.

Large, overpowering wooden furniture flanked the doors. The stereo pumped classic country western music through the speakers that didn’t quite cover up the clink of china. The smell of coffee and some kind of pork frying was the fragrance of the morning.

“Come on.” Trevor took her hand and led her through the warren of antiques toward the tea room.

The tea room was the unofficial domain of the L.O.L.s every morning, Monday through Saturday, from when the shop opened until around eleven. The tea room took up the back corner of the shop and even had a small kitchen. A half dozen old wooden tables were set up inside a white, lattice fence with an archway serving as the point of entry.

At nine in the morning the L.O.L.s were all still present, which was what he was hoping for. At least three or five older woman sat around each of the tables. Some had a paper in front of them working out a crossword puzzle, others were knitting, one table was playing cards, and others were simply sipping a morning beverage or eating.

Trevor ducked under the archway, hoping that he might be able to slip back to Bunny’s table without drawing too much attention. Almost in unison the conversation paused, and all eyes locked on him. There wasn’t one of them who didn’t have some kind of dirt on him. That was how things went in small towns.

“Good morning ladies.” He nodded and smiled at the room at large.

“Isn’t that a fine young man?” Sissy sat near the archway wearing a bedazzled, blue velvet track suit and matching sun visor. She reached toward him.

“Morning, Sissy.” Trevor grabbed the woman’s hand and bent to kiss it. She might be almost blind, but she knew where to find his ass. No pinch tax yet. He straightened and looked at the back of the room where Bunny was watching him. “There’s the woman I need to see. Excuse me?”

Dina had to be wondering what in the world a group of grannies could do for them. In a town like Ransom, it was ruled by this bunch of women. If anyone wanted to get something done, you came to the L.O.L.s. If they believed in the cause, they’d bend the ear of their children and grandchildren, wearing them down until they got their way.

Trevor picked a path through the tables. He had to be fast, but not sprint if he was going to escape with minimal pinching. He grasped Dina’s hand and plunged down the gauntlet. A few hands brushed his hip and one person got his thigh, but that was about it. He’d caught them unaware and under-caffeinated. He didn’t expect to be quite that lucky next time.

He pulled out the empty chair next to Bunny and gestured to Dina. He didn’t dare seat himself before her even to protect himself from the tax.

“Sit.” He patted a heavy, old wooden chair.

Dina frowned but did as he asked.

Trevor grasped the chair next to her. Two fingers pinched down on his ass. He grit his teeth and sat, breaking the taxer’s hold. A gleeful giggle from the table behind him erupted. He wasn’t going to be quite so lucky on their exit.

Dina smoothed her hair and tugged at her shirt all while Bunny watched her. It was easy to forget that Bunny was the first female mayor of the town. It had caused quite the scandal back in her day, but from what Trevor knew about that period, she’d done a lot of good.

“Bunny, this is Dina.” Trevor draped his arm around the back of Dina’s chair and leaned closer.

“You’re the girl living in Marge’s old house.”

“Uh...” Dina blinked at the woman. Trevor didn’t have the heart to chuckle. She probably thought no one knew anything about her. Clearly she’d never lived in a small town before.

“You have those noisy neighbors and that cute wooden trim on the front of the porch.” Bunny picked up her coffee cup and sipped.

“Yeah...” Dina glanced at him.

“Nothing happens in Ransom without Bunny knowing.” Trevor grinned at her. It was a frustrating reality at times, but he’d grown to appreciate them.

“Morning.” A young woman bustled over to their table with a carafe of coffee. Her short hair stuck every which way and a pair of knitting needles protruded from her apron pockets.

“Morning, Ingrid,” Trevor said.

“Hi.” Ingrid speared Dina with a bright smile. She already knew what Trevor wanted. “Coffee? Tea? Breakfast?”

“I’ll also take whatever the breakfast sandwich of the day is.” Trevor turned toward Ingrid. “I heard you and your roommates are partnering up with the Lively clan.”

“That’s old news, Detective.” Bunny waved her hand.

“Well, I don’t have much reason to go up the hill often.” Trevor glanced at Bunny then back to Ingrid. “Mom’s the one that told me you guys are turning the old mansion into a bed-and-breakfast?”

“Yes.” Ingrid’s grin was big and bright. “We’ve got all the permits and things in place to make the White mansion a bed-and-breakfast. We’re still trying out names. There have been a few guests, mostly people Scarlett refers to us. We’re hoping to be in full swing for next spring.”

“That’s fantastic.”

“What about your friend? What’ll she have?” Ingrid asked Trevor.

“Coffee and a sandwich is good,” Dina said.

“Coming right up. My name is Ingrid if you need anything.” Ingrid placed the carafe on the table then brought them a pair of cups before disappearing back into the kitchen.

“Tell me about your new friend here, Trevor?” Bunny had turned to give them her full attention. The only people who came to the tea room at this hour were those in need.

“Well, this is Dina. She’s new in town.” Trevor glanced at the others at the table not paying them any mind. He leaned toward Bunny and pitched his voice lower. “Two guys broke into her house. I was wondering if you, or any of the other ladies, had seen anything. I know how attentive you all are.”

“A break in?” Bunny blinked a few times and sat up straighter. She probably took it as a personal affront. “When?”

“Last night, just before nine,” Dina said.

“At Marge’s old house?”

“Yes.”

Bunny twisted and peered at the table playing cards.

“Pearl?” She waved her hand. “Someone tap Pearl and tell her to come here?”

Trevor turned and glanced at the card table. Pearl sat with her back toward them, her latest shawl creation around her shoulders. The woman sitting next to her grasped Pearl by the arm and physically turned her around before pointing at Bunny.

“Turn your hearing aid up, Pearl.” Bunny pointed at her ear then muttered, “Bless her heart.”

Pearl’s face lit up, and she waved at Trevor. She tottered toward them, leaning heavily on a cane. It was hard to see her age like this, but she didn’t seem to notice. Her smile was bigger and her personality sparkled just as much as it had back when she was helping with the local 4-H group.

“My boy.” Pearl bent and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Morning, Pearl. You getting around okay?”

“I got some new shoes.” She stepped back to display the latest in orthopedic fashion.

“Pearl? Can you hear me?” Bunny leaned over Dina, her focus on Pearl.

“I can hear you. You know I have these darn hearing aids.” Pearl laughed and gestured at her ear.

“Someone broke into Marge’s old house around the corner. Did you see anyone around last night?” Bunny eased back into her chair.

“What?” Pearl cupped a hand around her ear.

“Lord have mercy.” Bunny sighed, then louder, “Last night someone broke into Marge’s old house.”

“Oh my.” Pearl’s eyes widened and her smile disappeared.

Several other people around their table stopped talking and paid attention to them.

Trevor wasn’t looking forward to all the incoming calls to report tips or funny shadows, but this was their best network.

“Did you see anyone around?” Bunny asked.

“There was a car. I saw it four times.” Pearl held up her fingers.

“Saw what four times?” Ingrid reappeared, this time with Dina and Trevor’s breakfast.

“A car.” Pearl held up her finger. “It was dark blue. One of those new, fancy foreign things. There were two men inside.”

Trevor’s hand slid down to grip Dina’s shoulder. Foreign car could mean anything Pearl didn’t recognize, and since she still drove an ancient Buick that was a lot of cars.

“Any chance you know the license plate or could describe the men driving?” he asked.

“What?” Pearl’s face twisted up.

“The plates,” Bunny said louder.

“What about the plates?” Pearl glanced at the newly delivered breakfast.

“Not those plates.” Bunny waved her hand until Pearl focused back on her. “The car’s plates? Did you see the license plate number?”

“Oh!” Pearl’s smile returned. “You know, I might have. But it’s at home.”

Trevor twisted to face Pearl over his shoulder. “Can I come by later and check?”

“Sure.” Pearl nodded.

“I’ll give you a call before I head your way.”

“Hear that?” Pearl grinned at Bunny. “I’ve got a man coming to call on me.”

Bunny rolled her eyes.

Pearl slapped her hands together and laughed.

“Go back to your game.” Bunny waved at Pearl.

“Does that help?” Bunny asked Trevor.

“It’s exactly what I was hoping for,” he said. He hadn’t realized it was Pearl who lived close to Dina. With Pearl’s proclivity to jot down everything she was a godsend.

“I’ll make sure everyone knows to keep an eye out. We don’t need that kind of trouble here. That’s unacceptable.” Bunny’s frown deepened. Like many of the old timers they took any disruption to quiet life personally.

“What about your girl here?” Bunny’s attention fell on Dina once more.

“Eat.” Trevor nudged her plate then picked up his own sandwich. He didn’t want to get an answer and run, but he also didn’t want to open Dina up to more questions than she’d want to answer.

“You’ve been here—what? Almost two years?” Bunny asked.

“Almost.” Dina’s eyes widened. She was about to learn that her secret new life wasn’t as secret as she’d thought.

“You’ll have to watch yourself around this one. He’s trouble. Always has been.” Bunny nodded her head at Trevor as if she said something profound.

“Do I want to know what kind of trouble?” Dina glanced at Trevor who was wolfing down his last few bites.

“No,” he said quickly. There was plenty of ammunition to go around from his past.

“Don’t let him get too excited.” Bunny patted Dina’s hand. “He pees himself.”

“What?” Dina choked on a bite of the sausage biscuit sandwich.

“We’re going.” Trevor took Dina’s hand from Bunny. He was not going to relive those memories. “Thank you for your help.”

“Wait, I think I need to hear this.” Dina grinned.

“We’ve got somewhere to be.” Trevor stood and pulled out her chair.

“Fine. It was nice to meet you, Bunny.” Dina downed the last of her coffee and kept her sandwich wrapped in a napkin.

Trevor winced as someone from the cackling table exacted the tax on his posterior.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Can we go?”

“Okay,” she said slowly.

Trevor took her hand and led her through the tables at a brisk pace. He felt Dina jump and prayed she didn’t pay his tax. A pair of fingers pinched his ass and a whole table cheered. He practically jogged the last few steps through the arch where they were safer. He blew out a breath and pulled Dina up to walk next to him.

“Did she just grab you?” She gaped at him, her eyes wide.

“It’s the pinch tax.” Trevor tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow.

“Pinch tax?”

“Yeah, it’s the price for asking the L.O.L. Gang for help.”

“L.O.L. Gang?”

“Little Old Lady Gang?” He chuckled.

“Okay, now, how about this peeing yourself story?”

“One mortifying thing at a time. Shit, someone got me right in the crease.” He rubbed the still stinging spot.

“An old lady gang. Pinch tax. Granny sleuths. What the heck have you gotten me into?” She ticked off the points with a finger.

“Welcome to Ransom.” He grinned. Every town had their quirks. Theirs were perhaps a bit more eccentric than most.

PHILLIP PULLED THE car up to the curb.

There were no parking meters. He didn’t have to find a garage to pay to park. It was weird, but also handy. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d wasted half an hour looking for a parking spot.

“You staying here?” he asked Little Tony.

Little Tony grunted his reply. Phillip took that to mean yes and left the car idling. He grabbed the bag of things they’d taken from Dina’s house and got out. The heat hit him in the face and before he’d closed the door to the car, he was sweating.

He needed to call Dominick. Little Tony had always been a bit rough whenever it came to proving their point, but he’d killed two men in less than a week. Two. Phillip didn’t want to be around for a third or if the cops got wind of their involvement. But this was Little Tony. He was like a brother to Phillip, but something wasn’t right.

Maybe after they found Dina what they needed to do was take a breather. Hit Vegas, spend some time taking it easy before getting back to work. Dominick wouldn’t want to hear that, but he didn’t always have their best interest at heart. That’s why Phillip had to look out for LT and himself.

The Dr. Computer shop sat in a strip mall with a couple other businesses. The windows were all tinted. Neon window paint advertised the current specials. What Phillip wanted wouldn’t be something as easily obtained.

He opened the door to the shop.

A young man in a bright blue, orange and yellow track suit stood behind the counter, peering through a magnifying lens at a tablet in pieces. There wasn’t a customer in sight and there wasn’t anyone behind the counter with him.

“I’m looking for Samu.” Phillip set the bag with the laptop and phone on the counter.

The young man’s jaw worked, smacking a piece of gum. He glanced up over the magnifier at Phillip, but kept his attention on the work.

“I am Samu,” he said.

“I was told you could help us with these.” He kept his gaze on the guy’s face. “They belonged to a friend that passed away. I need to get the files for the family.”

Samu’s hands stilled.

It was the story Phillip had been instructed to give.

“Who sent you here?” Samu flipped the light off and focused on Phillip.

“A friend.”

“Who may I thank for your referral?”

“Lorenzo.”

The gum smacking stopped.

Samu nodded.

They had an agreement.

“Let me see?” He held out his hand for the bag.

Phillip slid the laptop and phone over.

“You want the files. Anything specific?” he asked.

“Contacts. Banking information. Any address she’s ever looked at.”

“I can do this. It’s not cheap—”

“I’ve got cash.”

“And it will take most of the day, if not two days.”

“Get it done.” Phillip took a business card off the counter, flipped it over and scrawled his phone number. “Let me know when you have something?”