Read The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery) for Free Online Page B

oddly, then laughed. “I see you have a sense of humor, too. That’ll come in handy.”
    Jenessa wasn’t sure what to make of that last statement. “Sorry?”
    “You’ll have your hands full with a myriad of stories. Of course you’ll cover the police beat, although it’s not like what you’ve been used to in Sacramento. Yes, there has been a slight increase of crime in Hidden Valley, with the times being what they are, but it isn’t as glamorous as the big city stuff you’re used to. You’ll mostly be covering weddings and social events, human-interest stories—things like that.”
    “If you don’t mind my asking, who’s been handling those things up until now?”
    “Priscilla Mosely, but she’s pregnant and the baby’s due next month. As far as I know, she isn’t planning to come back. I’ve been trying to take up the slack where I can, because she hasn’t been able to work as many hours as she used to, but as you can see,” he gestured with a broad sweep of his hand over his desk, “I have my own work to do. We’ve been looking for someone for the past couple of months, but we’ve had no takers. The pay isn’t that great and the hours can be long.”
    “The long hours I’m used to. The pay, well, I’ll adjust.” Her mother’s words, beggars can’t be choosers , rang again in her ears.
    “So, when can you start?”

Chapter 6
    Did he just offer me the job? Jenessa leaned forward in her chair. “I don’t know if you heard, but my father died yesterday.”
    “I did hear about that, David Jones, the attorney, right?”
    “Yes.” She sat back and loosely crossed her arms. “I wouldn’t even have come in to see you today, with my father’s passing and all the funeral arrangements to be made, but Aunt Renee urged me not to wait, in case the job got snapped up, right out from under me.” Apparently it could have waited.
    “Let me say that I am sorry for your loss, Miss Jones. I didn’t know him personally, but your dad had a good reputation in town.”
    “Thank you for that. And please, call me Jenessa, especially if we’re going to be working together.”
    “Jenessa, it is.” His large black leather chair squeaked as he leaned back in it. “So, when do you think you can begin?”
    “Let’s see, today is Tuesday…” She worked through what had to be done, deciding that the funeral would likely be Friday or Saturday . “I’m guessing by next Monday.”
    “All right, but if you find your schedule frees up any sooner than that, please let me know. The news doesn’t wait.”
    Exhilarated, Jenessa almost danced out of the newspaper offices. She got the job! Finally, some income.
    Though she was grateful for her aunt’s meddling—this time—she hoped it wasn’t a harbinger of things to come.
    ~*~
    Jenessa strolled a couple of blocks over to her father’s law offices. She entered the grand foyer, admiring the polished, gray marble floors and ornate mahogany walls, and then took the elevator to the second level of the old two-story office building. She stepped off and was greeted by an attractive young woman, likely not long out of high school, seated behind the glistening granite reception counter. The names Jones and McCaffrey were emblazoned in bronze on the rich wood-paneled wall behind her.
    “May I help you?” the young blonde inquired.
    Jenessa confidently strode up to the counter. “Yes, I’m Jenessa Jones, David Jones’s daughter.”
    “Oh, Miss Jones, I am so sorry about your dad. He was such a nice man. I was here when they—”
    “Thank you,” Jenessa interrupted. “Do you think I could speak with Mr. McCaffrey for a few minutes?”
    “Sure. Let me see if he’s available.” She placed a phone call to his office, then turned her attention back to Jenessa as the main phone began to ring. “Yes, he can see you. Just down the hall and to the right.” The young woman snatched up the phone again. “Jones and McCaffrey, how may I direct your