After a night alone, and her mind stubbornly refusing to give her even the inkling of a story idea, Lexi needed to get out.

She brushed her teeth, splashed cold water on her face, and got dressed. While she combed her hair, she glanced out the small window. Rain blurred her view.

“So much for outdoor activities,” she muttered. Not that she would have participated; the outdoors always tried to harm her. Bee stings, scraped knees, and rashes had all been her reward every time she tried to follow Lance out on a hike.

She pulled on her raincoat and braved the downpour, running over to the dining lodge. The camp may be full of people looking for a quick hookup, but she should be safe talking to another woman.

“Should be.” She huddled in her coat and moved faster. The rain was coming down harder than yesterday. “Maybe I should…”

The idea of turning back faded when the dining lodge came into sight. Lexi climbed the stairs, and let out a sigh, happy to be out of the weather. She was less happy when she saw the crowd inside.

“Suck it up,” she whispered, and pulled the door open.

The noise smacked her, and she wanted to turn around and slink back to the safety of her cabin. Instead, she took a deep breath, and made her way to the buffet.

She had never been good at crowded events; too many people in one place, and the walls started closing in. It would help if she drank, but she hated the taste of beer, and wine all tasted like alcohol. Her best friend, Jamie, had finally given up trying to convert her.

“Jamie,” she muttered. “We are going to have words when I get home.”

“Sounds like this Jamie is in trouble.”

Lexi looked over at the woman on her left. “Something like that. I’m Lexi.” She held out her hand.

“Candy.” The woman shook her fingers, smiling when Lexi glanced at her gloved hand. “My hands are always cold. I own an entire wardrobe of gloves.” She leaned in to air kiss Lexi, and halted inches from her face. “Wait—are you Lexi Granger? The mystery romance author?”

Lexi mentally head slapped herself. She was in a camp filled with writers. “Yes, I am.”

“It’s so cool to meet you!” Candy flipped her thick blonde braid over her shoulder. “I’m Candy Wilde, and I write—”

“Erotic romance. I’ve read a couple of your books.” To her surprise, they were quite good.

“You read my books?” Candy’s face paled. “Oh, God—I think I might faint.”

“You’re okay.” Lexi caught her arm and led her to one of the sofas ling the walls, raising her eyebrow at the two men lounging on either end. They scrambled to their feet and slipped into the crowd. “Sit, Candy. Breathe. I enjoyed your books.”

“You—enjoyed them?” She fanned herself, and color rushed to her face again. “I love your books. Love them. Especially the series with Kate and Jack.”

“Thanks.” Lexi did not need to be reminded that her imagined hero had just walked into her life, solid, real, and so much like Jack she wanted to pinch herself. Maybe if she spent some time with him, it would help break through the massive writer’s block—

Don’t go there.

“—help with a real life mystery.” Candy’s voice jerked her out of her thoughts.

“Sorry, what?”

“I had a bracelet go missing from my cabin last night. And I’m not the only one. I know at least three other women here who have reported stolen items.” She grabbed Lexi’s hand. “You can talk to them, and use your investigating skills to find the thief!”

Before Lexi could open her mouth to argue, Candy dragged her over to a small group of women, gushing as she introduced Lexi. “You’ll never believe who this is—”

“Lexi Granger.” A tall, stunningly beautiful woman held out her hand. “I’ve read all your books, and I am anxiously waiting for the next one.”

“Working on it.” Lexi mentally flinched at the lie. Hopefully, by the end of the week it would be true. “Thanks.”

“Andrea Simonson.”

Lexi’s jaw dropped open. Andrea Simonson was the head of Simonson, Inc.—the controversial head, after pushing her older brother out, in what Lexi had read was a well-planned coup. One of the huge corporation’s interests was publishing; whenever Lexi thought about moving into the traditional arena, Simonson was always her dream publisher.

“I—it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Candy butted in before Lexi embarrassed herself by gushing like a fangirl. “Lexi’s going to help find the thief.”

“I—I can help put pieces together, if any of you who have been victims can tell me what was taken.” She didn’t have anything she could use to take fingerprints—and that would be pretty much useless, when occupants of the cabins changed weekly.

At least five women—including Andrea—started talking over each other.

Lexi raised her hands, waiting for them to stop before she spoke. “Let’s sit down, and I’ll take your statements one at a time.”

The other women headed to the closest table area, making Lexi smile when they shooed the men who were unfortunate enough to be lounging there. Andrea hung back, her vibrant presence making Lexi feel like the proverbial country mouse.

“Thank you for taking this seriously, Lexi. The security man I spoke with treated my complaint with a flippant attitude I did not like.”

Lexi guessed the flippant security had been Nick Standish. He was in for a surprise when she saw him again, and presented evidence of the thefts.

“I’ll have enough for him to lose the flippant attitude.”

Andrea laughed. “You are a surprise, Lexi Granger. I would like to talk with you about joining us at Simonson. I believe you would be a valuable addition to our authors.”

“I—yes, that would be—I’d love to talk to you.” Lexi could feel heat flush her cheeks, and silently cursed her pale skin.

“Excellent.” Andrea’s smile wasn’t condescending, or indulgent. She looked pleased, like she had just won another coup. “Let’s go catch ourselves a thief.”

 

***

 

An hour later, Lexi had enough information to present to security. Information Nick Standish couldn’t ignore this time.

She thanked the women, and checked her list. At least ten items had gone missing, from six different women. The thief had excellent taste; every item was either a one-of-a-kind piece, or a highly desirable design.

Candy followed her to the door, chatting about meeting so many wonderful people.

“You’re at the top of my list, Lexi,” she said. “I was wondering—would you sign one of my books?”

“I’d be happy to.”

“That’s fantastic!’ She hugged Lexi with the same enthusiasm. “Thank you so much for taking this on. I love my serpent bracelet, and I’ll be devastated if I don’t get it back. My grandmother gave it to me.”

“I’ll do my best, I promise.”

“I know you will.” She shook her head. “You’d think a place like this would have better security.”

“You’d think so. Thanks, Candy.”

Lexi waved to her and pushed the door open. A real mystery—that would get her creative mojo going again. She had only one obstacle.

And she was about to move that obstacle.