Grave New World: A Jane Ladling Mystery

Hours later, Jane, along with the members of Team Truth and a handful of others sat at her dining room table, talking and laughing, with a feast spread out before them. Fried chicken, collard greens, fried okra, toasted pimento sandwiches, BBQ short ribs and desserts. For such a special occasion as this, Fiona had even prepared the cream of the crop. Blueberry pancakes.

Wyatt and Susan had come. Raymond Moore, Holden and Lucy, too. Donnie stayed for a bit before taking off. With the case solved, the delusional Christopher locked behind bars, and the pure gold ending to Jane’s book settled—the ex did it, of course—she enjoyed the camaraderie. The group was only missing Conrad. He’d texted a short while ago to inform them Cartier had been found in Christopher’s shed at home, alive and well. That news had erased all tension from Lucy, who remained by Holden’s side, the two whispering and smiling at each other. It was safe to say they’d patched things up.

“I’m still in shock,” Fiona said, passing the warm maple syrup June’s way. “Christopher Wellington, Jane’s ex-boyfriend, a murderer. I never suspected.”

Jane’s sister accepted the offering, but she didn’t dive into her pancakes like any sane person would. Rather, she remained focused on the banana pudding, as if she’d never tasted anything better. Tiffany snatched the syrup and drowned her cakes before shoveling bite after bite into her mouth. She excelled in table manners until Fiona’s specialty was available.