Rose and Helena Save Christmas: a novella by Jana DeLeon, Denise Grover Swank Page A

professional.”
    “Neely Kate and I may not have a fancy license, but between the two of us, we’ve solved more cases in six months than the Henryetta Police Department has in the last two years.” Of course, that wasn’t saying much, but no need telling Taylor that. “I’ve discovered the identity of three killers, figured out who robbed the Henryetta bank, killed a hardened criminal who chased me through the woods for two days, and helped guarantee the installment of the current Fenton County crime lord. I’m not the fragile flower you think I am.”
    Taylor was silent for several seconds. “Okay. You’re in. But maybe Neely Kate should sit this one out. She is pregnant, after all.”
    “No way. I’ll be worried sick that Savoy will arrest her while I’m at the play. She goes, but I’ll make her sit in her seat and not get involved.”
    “Well, okay,” Taylor said, sounding as though she was adjusting to Rose’s demands. “I guess I need to buy a ticket to Wicked .” She paused, then released a groan. “No, Helena. I don’t need to buy two tickets. You don’t need one.”
    “So once we get to the theater, what’s the plan?”
    “Thanks to Helena, we know James is wearing a gray wool coat with a red scarf. If I can find him, Helena and I can trail him and catch him in the act of the drop-off.”
    “So let’s meet in the theater lobby,” Rose said.  
    “No. The less we’re seen together the better. I’ll show up early and try to scope things out. Text me once you girls are there. We’ll figure out where to go from there.”
    “Sounds good.”
    Neely Kate waved her hand in front of Rose’s face. “Ask Taylor what Helena is wearin’ tonight.”
    Rose’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I’m not askin’ Taylor what a ghost is wearin’ to the play. What does it matter? No one can see her.”
    “I can see her and so can Taylor. I want to coordinate our outfits.”
    Taylor coughed. “Did I just hear Neely Kate say she wants to coordinate her outfit with Helena’s?” Taylor groaned. “No, Helena… fine .” Taylor sounded pained. “Helena says she’ll try to match Neely Kate.”
    Rose relayed the information and Neely Kate broke into a huge smile. “I’m gonna wear my red dress with black shoes and white scarf with green Christmas trees. I want to look festive.”
    “She says—” Rose started.
    “I heard her,” Taylor said in a dry tone. “I’ll pass it on to Helena. Rose, you should thank the heaven above that you’ll be spared the pain of the big fashion reveal.”
    “As long as I’m there for the big bad-guy reveal, I can live with it.”
    “Rose,” Taylor said hesitantly. “I know you are desperate to clear your and Neely Kate’s names, but don’t do anything too risky tonight.”  
    Rose’s eyebrows rose in mock innocence as she shot Neely Kate an ornery grin. “Do somethin’ risky? I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Chapter Fifteen

    “Are you sure this is going to work?” Helena asked as Taylor stuffed a red scarf in the pocket of the gray jacket she’d picked up at the resale shop an hour earlier.  
    “No. I’m not sure about anything, but I can’t think of a better idea. Can you?” Taylor’s plan was to locate Arden and get the pictures, but if she had a chance to switch the jackets, she was going to take it.  
    Helena scrunched her brow for several seconds, then shook her head. “I got nothing.”
    “Then this is the plan. If it doesn’t work, I’ll have you start practicing smuggling nail files.”
    “You never do your nails. Why would I need to carry around a file?” Then her eyes widened. “Oh, it’s a prison break joke. Hey, what happens if we get all the evidence? That Savoy is a jerk. He might bury it instead of finding the real murderer.”
    “I’ve already considered that, and I have a backup plan. I did some poking around the New Orleans PD gossip this afternoon and got the name of the other detective in the running for the promotion