Those were the words I wanted to say, but instead, I pulled my checkbook and pen from my bag.

“How much?” I asked, raising an eyebrow when Tanner chuckled softly.

“Money won’t do, Miss Miller,” he replied in a cold tone. “Just make sure you find the truth in whatever you’re investigating… so Evangeline can finally be at peace.”

“Got it,” I replied. “Anyway, do you like my cousin?”

I’d been dying to ask that since our college days.

“No,” he answered quickly. ...