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right after all.”
    “Of course I am,” I answered. “About what?”
    She laughed. “Perhaps I’m letting the people I deal with on a daily basis cloud my perception about the world around me.”
    “I said that?”
    She nodded. “You did.”
    “Wow, I sound really smart when you say it.”
    Jenny grinned. “Come on. We both know you have to be sharp to create those puzzles of yours. I have a tough time finishing them most days.”
    “You do my puzzles?”
    “Absolutely,” she answered. “They’re a nice way to unwind at the end of the day.”
    “I’m honored,” I said, “But don’t give me too much credit. Sometimes I think they’re easier to make than they are to solve.”
    “I suppose that makes sense. After all, you’ve got all of the answers, don’t you?”
    “If only life were like that.”
    She patted my arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out.”
    “I hope so.” I stifled a yawn. “In the meantime, I think I’d better join my husband.”
    “That’s not a bad idea. We have a big day tomorrow.”
    “What do you have planned?”
    “Well, seeing some of the local sights is out. I thought we might do a little digging into Derrick Duncan’s life and see what we turn up. What do you say to that?”
    “I’m all for it.”

Chapter 5

    T HE NEXT MORNING, I FOUND JENNY AT THE KITCHEN table drinking a cup of coffee and looking through the newspaper.
    “You’re a star,” she said as she handed me the front page.
    I took it and scanned the headline. SYNDICATOR SLAYING A REAL PUZZLE, it said on the front page of the Local section. There was a blown-up photo of Derrick, and below the fold, I was appalled to find headshots of Brady Sims, Sylvia Peters, and me.
    “Don’t you love how clever they can be with their headlines,” I said as I handed the paper back to her.
    “Wake that husband of yours up and I’ll make us all some breakfast.”
    “I’d love to, but he was already gone when I got up,” I said.
    “Is he always such an early bird?”
    “When he’s working on a case, he barely sleeps at all. Since I’m involved in this, I was surprised he even closed his eyes.”
    “It must be nice having him on your side.”
    “It is, but it’s great having you there, too. Tell you what. Why don’t I cook for us this morning? It’s the least I can do.”
    “Are you saying you don’t like my cooking?” she asked.
    “That depends. Have you had any more chance to practice since the last time I stayed with you?”
    “Hey, I’ve been trying to make partner. There wasn’t exactly a lot of time to take any cooking classes.”
    “I’m not complaining, I’m just offering my services.”
    “Then I’ll gladly accept. How about some blueberry pancakes?”
    “Do you have the ingredients?” I asked as I headed for the refrigerator.
    “I just happened to lay in some supplies yesterday,” she said with a smile.
    I laughed as I started measuring the flour and other ingredients and mixing the batter. As I worked, we talked about our plans for the day.
    “I don’t see any way around it,” Jenny said as the first pancake hit the griddle. “We have to go to Richmond to Derrick’s home base if we’re going to learn anything about him.”
    “I’m guessing Detective Murphy isn’t going to be too thrilled about me leaving town, let alone the state.”
    “I could go on my own,” Jenny offered.
    “I don’t think so. There’s no way I’m going to put you in jeopardy for my sake.”
    “You’d do it for me, wouldn’t you?”
    I flipped the pancake when tiny bubbles started to form in the batter. “Of course I would.”
    “Then it’s not fair to try to keep me from doing the same.” She leaned over and looked at the single pancake browning on the griddle. “Why just one?”
    “I always do a test pancake first,” I said.
    “Does that mean I can’t have it?”
    “It might not be very good,” I admitted. “Sometimes the first ones are real duds.”
    She held out her