Page 66 of Tempted Hearts

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Cole

Only when the stakes are high. Or when I tell myself I’m fine and very much not fine. What’s going on?

Jules

I’m stuck. Again.

I’m supposed to be knee-deep in a murder mystery and instead I’m staring at the same paragraph like it personally offended me.

Cole

That sounds serious. Have you tried threatening the characters?

Jules

I’ve tried bribing them. Intimidation may be next.

The problem is I know what happened. I just can’t figure out why yet.

Cole

Ah. Motive trouble. That’s dangerous territory.

Jules

Exactly. Everyone has an alibi, no one feels guilty enough, and my detective keeps circling the same clues without actually moving forward.

It’s like something’s right in front of her and she refuses to look at it.

Cole

That sounds less like a plot problem and more like avoidance.

Jules

Rude.

But… maybe a little accurate.

Cole

For what it’s worth, the stories that stall are usually the ones that matter most. The easy ones don’t fight back.

Jules

That is not comforting in the way you probably intended.

Cole

I’ve been told that before.

Jules

Still. Thanks.

I’m going to step away before I commit literary murder instead of fictional murder.

Cole

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