It took us an hour and twenty minutes to get to the sheriff’s department because the plow only arrived to clear the RV park road a few minutes after Jayne got out of the shower. Once we got going, I was happy to see that even the roads back into the heart of town were in much better shape.

Great maintenance was one of the perks of a place like Nocturne Falls where tourism was big business. It was kept operational and in tiptop shape as much as possible. And the Ellinghams, the family that owned and managed the town, had more than enough money to do whatever needed doing.

I parked out front of the sheriff’s department this time since there was a spot available, and we went in.

Birdie greeted us right away. “Hank’s waiting for you in his office. You can go on in.” She looked at Jayne specifically. “Marigold came by to pick up a sample of the wrapping paper. She said she’d let me know what she finds out ASAP.”

“Thanks,” Jayne said.

I knocked on Hank’s door.

“Come in,” he called out.

I opened it. “Sheriff.”

He stood up and gestured to the seats across from his desk. “Please, have a seat.” He lifted his head a little. “Birdie, hold my calls while I’m in with the Crowes.”

“Yep,” she called back.

I closed the door after Jayne, and we sat.

The sheriff returned to his chair, then folded his hands on his desk. “Quite a situation we have here.”

Jayne took a breath. “I’m really sorry. I swear, we had no idea the paper was so close to the paper currency is printed on.”

The sheriff nodded. “I know. We don’t hold you, your family, or the shop liable in any way. So long as the paper is being pulled from stock.”

She nodded vigorously. “It is. My father’s taking care of that. We’re doing everything we can.”

That seemed to satisfy him. “I’m sure you are.” He put a small voice recorder on the desk and pushed the button. “Now tell me everything you know.”

We told him with as much detail as we could, even including the trips to Elsie’s to rewrap her gifts and to check on her well-being. I showed him the pictures of the truck but not the other tire treads. Those felt unnecessary at this point.

“That’s about it,” Jayne said.

Merrow nodded and pushed the button to end the recording. “Thank you.”

“What next?” I asked.

Merrow hesitated like he was trying to decide what to tell us. “I’ve sent out an alert that counterfeit currency might show up. But with the paper off the market, I expect these break-ins to stop.”

Jayne shook her head. “There are still rolls of the paper in people’s homes. There’s not much we can do to get back the rolls that were already sold.”

“I know,” the sheriff said. “But outside of setting up some kind of sting operation—”

Jayne’s eyes lit up.

“Which,” the sheriff emphasized, “we are not going to do—there isn’t much else to be done. I’m adding another patrol car to monitor the residential areas. People have heard about the break-ins. I trust they’ll be vigilant.”

I nodded. “I hope they are.” I didn’t want to contradict the sheriff, but I didn’t think the break-ins would stop. Not when a roll of the Christmas Magic paper was worth as much as twenty-seven thousand dollars. That kind of payoff would be hard to walk away from.

I stood. “If you’re done with us, we should go. We need to get to the toy store and see how things are going.”

Merrow got to his feet. “Of course.”

Jayne stood a little more slowly, like she was concentrating on something. “What about Elsie’s nephew being in the RV park and checking out our place on the same night another house was broken into? Don’t you think that’s odd?”

“Odd? Yes,” Merrow said. “But it’s not a crime to drive through an RV park, regardless of the time or how slowly you operate the vehicle. I have no reason to question him at this point. And I don’t really see a connection between him being there and wrapping paper being stolen. Until I do …” He shrugged.

“Right,” I said. “Thanks again. We’ll see ourselves out.”

I opened the door and escorted a reluctant Jayne back toward the reception area. I knew she wasn’t happy. I wasn’t thrilled, but the sheriff was right. He really had nothing to go on. Until some counterfeit money showed up or another house was broken into, that wasn’t about to change either.

Birdie looked at us like she knew what we were thinking. “I know you don’t love how this is going. Neither do I, but that’s how law enforcement works sometimes.”

“Well,” Jayne said. “It sucks. You guys could at least send someone to talk to Elsie’s nephew and get him to explain what he was doing at the RV park that night. Not that I really think he’s involved, but it would tie up a loose end.”

Birdie sighed and glanced toward the sheriff’s closed door. “Let me see if I can persuade him to get that done.”

“Thanks,” Jayne said.

I put my arm around Jayne but looked at Birdie. “I don’t think these break-ins are over. There are too many rolls of that paper out there for these counterfeiters to just quit.”

Birdie nodded. “I agree with you. Look, I’ll keep you posted if anything new develops. That’s the best I can do.”

“I appreciate that,” Jayne said. “But don’t get into trouble on our account either.”

“I won’t.” Birdie winked. “I never get caught.”

That earned her a little laugh. “Talk to you soon, Birdie.”

She waved at us. “Bye, kids.”

I held the door for Jayne as we went out. She was clearly upset, but I thought I knew a way to cheer her up a little. “The visit to the shop can wait a few minutes. How about Howler’s for lunch? It’s a little early but—”

“I’m in. A big, messy cheeseburger with french fries sounds perfect.”

I smiled. “Then that’s our next destination.”

Because it was still early, Howler’s was pretty empty. In fact, I thought they’d only just opened.

There wasn’t even a hostess on duty yet. We picked a booth near the back. We sat on the same side of the booth, our backs to the pool room so we could see the door.

A server came over. She had menus under her arm and two glasses of water. “Hi, folks. I’d say good morning, but it’s not morning anymore. And it’s not really afternoon either. I’m not sure what it is.”

Jayne smiled. “How about lunchtime?”

The server nodded as she put the water in front of us, then handed us menus. “Good lunchtime then. I’m Kira. I’ll be taking care of you today. Can I start you with something else besides water?”

“Dr Pepper,” Jayne said.

“I’ll have a ginger ale.” I held onto my menu but didn’t open it yet. “Any specials today?”

“There are,” Kira said. “But the kitchen hasn’t told us what they are yet. I’ll get your drinks and be right back with that info.”

“Thanks.” I opened my menu.

“I already know what I want,” Jayne said. “I want the jalapeño cheeseburger.”

“You really have gone to the spicy side, haven’t you?”

“It’s my thing now.” She pointed at the item on the menu. “Plus look. Candied jalapeños. I’d try it for those alone.”

Kira came back with our drinks. “Okay, our specials today are sweet potato chili and chicken and dumplings. And chef just told me our special dessert will be out of the oven in about fifteen minutes, and that’s eggnog bread pudding.”

Beside me, Jayne sucked in a breath. I nodded at Kira. “We’re definitely going to need some of that.” I looked at Jayne.

She closed her menu and slid it toward the edge of the table. “I’d like the jalapeño cheeseburger, medium, with cheddar cheese and fries.”

I put my menu on top of it. “And I’ll try the chicken and dumplings.”

“That comes with two sides. French fries, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, collard greens, steamed broccoli and carrots, or side salad.”

“Sweet potato fries,” Jayne whispered at me.

I laughed. “Sweet potato fries and coleslaw, thanks.”

Kira picked up the menus. “Great. I’ll get that right in.”

I sat back and put my arm around Jayne, kissing her temple. “How are you doing?”

She sighed. “I’m okay. I wish the sheriff was doing more. I get why he isn’t, but still.”

“I know.”

“We could set up a little sting, you know.”

“That sounds unwise and unsafe.”

She straightened, pulling away to look at me. “We could make it smart and safe.”

“How?”

“Easy. We just plan everything out carefully. And if the bad guys show up, I’ll freeze them in a block of ice until the police come.”

“What if they have guns? What if they’re faster than you? What if something else goes wrong?” I shook my head. “Honey, I do not want you getting hurt.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

“That’s not something you can promise, and you know that.”

We sat in silence for a few long moments. I knew she was thinking about how she could help. Then both of our phones went off at the same time. We checked our screens. Birdie had messaged both of us.

7^th break in. Can’t say more now. Later.

Jayne looked at me. “It’s not going to stop until these guys are caught.”

“I agree with that. But this is a job for law enforcement. Not us.”

She huffed out a breath.

Thankfully our food arrived soon after and distracted her, but I knew Jayne wasn’t going to give this up so easily.

Her tenacity was one of the things I loved about her. But there was every chance it might also get her into trouble.