by K E O'Connor
“Tempest, surely that’s enough for one evening.”
“You want me to stop questioning people who might be involved in Gretel’s death? I’ve only spoken to one person.”
“I know, but I’ve been asking around, and everyone’s in shock.” Mannie glanced over his shoulder. “And Isadora is feeling ill. She needs to lie down before she faints.”
“Maybe she’s feeling ill because she murdered someone.”
“Shush! Don’t say such a thing.” Mannie grabbed my arm and pulled me out of earshot of Isadora. “She’s a respected, talented author. Isadora has worked hard all her life to get to this point in her career. We’re lucky to have her in Willow Tree Falls.”
“That still doesn’t rule her out as the killer,” I said. “I have to speak to everyone tonight while the information is fresh in their minds. And, if someone here is the killer, what’s to say they won’t sneak away if we give them the night off to get over their shock?”
“No one’s sneaking anywhere,” Mannie said. “I know where everyone is staying. They’ve assured me they’ll stay for as long as this needs to be cleared up.”
I tilted my head back. That meant Mannie had spoken to everyone. So much for trying to keep people apart. I glanced at the ducking stool. “Where’s Sablo?”
“I sent her to get a round of drinks and some muffins. I thought sugar would be good to calm everyone.”
“Sablo agreed to that?” I spoke through gritted teeth.
“Of course. She trusts me. Everyone does.” Mannie patted my arm. “Let’s do this tomorrow morning. It’ll give you time to think about the questions you need to ask, and we can all get a good night’s sleep to help get over the shock. Poor Gretel.”
Poor Gretel, indeed! This case wasn’t going anywhere if everyone was chatting, sharing alibis, and covering for each other. “I need to take a step back from this. You agreed I could do this my way, but you’re already interfering.”
Mannie stroked a hand down his beard. “You do want that noise violation to disappear?”
“Hey! I agreed to do the security detail in exchange for that vanishing. You said nothing about having to solve this murder as well. That wasn’t part of our agreement.”
Mannie shrugged. “The deal’s changed. I still haven’t heard anything from Dazielle, so you need to stay on this until she’s back.”
“I’m trying, but you’re suggesting we give up for the night. Dazielle wouldn’t do that.”
“We need to handle this carefully.” Mannie patted his belly. “We’re dealing with important people. People of influence.”
“And one of those influential people is now dead,” I said. “The sooner we clear that up, the better. Let me question everyone tonight, and this could all be over by tomorrow.”
“My dear Tempest, while I appreciate your involvement, it’s late and everybody’s tired.”
“But—”
“And, as Mayor of Willow Tree Falls, I insist we treat our VIP guests appropriately. Whatever happened here is unfortunate, but I think it highly unlikely that anyone involved with the museum would stoop to murder. We’re a respectable bunch. We wouldn’t sink to the depths of such depravity.”
“Will you take responsibility if a suspect vanishes overnight? I’m not taking the fall for this if they make a run for it because you thought everyone looked a little stressed.”
Mannie’s eyes narrowed. “By suspects, if you mean Isadora’s team, then yes. I have no qualms in vouching for any of them. I’ve gotten to know them all since they arrived. They’re not involved in this.”
I shrugged, stamping on my irritation. Mannie had dragged me into this, but he wasn’t going to drag me down with him if it turned out one of his so-called respectable suspects had murdered Gretel. “Then everybody can leave, under your authority.”
“That doesn’t mean you give up on this investigation,” Mannie said. “I still expect you to do your job.”
My fingers flexed, and I sucked in a deep breath to stop from saying something I’d regret. “Of course, Mayor. I’m always happy to help.”
Mannie patted his stomach and nodded. “Excellent. I’ll send everybody home, and you can deal with the... situation on the ducking stool.”
I watched him bustle around and share the good news that the suspects could leave and have time to sort out their alibis, so I’d never find out who killed Gretel.
“Tempest, is there anything we can do to help?”
I turned to find Dominic standing behind me. “We’re putting this investigation on hold for the night.”
“Oh! Sure. Great! My feet ache.”
I pressed my lips together. “Have you gotten what you need from Gretel?”
“Not yet.” His easy smile faded. “There is one tiny problem.”
Of course, there was. “And that is...”
“We can’t get hold of anyone to deal with the body,” Dominic said.
“Can’t you take Gretel to Angel Force?”
He shook his head. “It’s always Cassiel who deals with the body. She’s great at handling the gross bits.”
“The gross bits!”
Dominic cleared his throat. “I mean, Cassiel knows how to handle the bodies and doesn’t mind what state they’re in. She’s interested in dead bodies.”
“If she’s not around, you and Sablo will have to step up.” I glared at him until he nodded.
“We won’t move her, but we can preserve the scene. We’ll use a spell to ensure nothing degrades.”
“So, you turned up nothing useful at the crime scene?”
“Not yet. We can—”
“That’s enough for tonight, Tempest.” Mannie hurried over. “Everyone’s on their way home. These fine angels can look after the situation here until the morning.”
Dominic’s eyebrows shot up. “You want us to stay here all night?”
“That won’t be a problem, will it?” Mannie patted Dominic’s arm. “A fine, upstanding angel like yourself is just what we need in a time of crisis.”
Dominic’s face paled before he nodded. “Whatever you say, Mayor.”
I felt a little sorry for Dominic. He wasn’t a natural in law enforcement. He was a big, feathery frat boy who was after an easy life and a good time. Weren’t we all?
“Let’s take another look at the scene now,” I said to him. “It’s quiet, which will help us focus.”
“Start afresh tomorrow,” Mannie said. “Dominic and Sablo will take care of things here. You go home. Sablo will be back soon with coffee and treats to keep them going.”
“Five minutes,” I said. “It’s not a problem.”
“No! The angels will guard the scene.” Mannie gestured at Dominic. “Don’t let anyone near the crime scene, not until the morning. I want to be here when you look around.”
“Whatever you say,” Dominic said. “No one gets in without us knowing about it.”
“Good work.” Mannie glanced at me. “I’ll meet you back here tomorrow morning.”
This investigation was a disaster, thanks to Mannie’s interference. I should have accepted the noise violation and paid the fine. It would have been worth it to avoid this stress.
“You’re the boss,” I said.
Dominic looked almost panicked. “We really have to stay the whole night?”
Sablo walked over to join him, a large bag in one hand and a tray of paper cups of coffee in the other. “What’s going on? Where’s everyone gone?”
“We’ve got to stay here,” Dominic said glumly.
Her eyes widened. “Is that necessary?”
“By order of the mayor,” I said. “No one’s allowed to come in until tomorrow.”
Mannie nodded. “You two keep everything safe until then.”
“Oh! Well, sure, we can do that.” Sablo glanced at Dominic and shrugged.
Dominic turned his concerned face to me. “Any instructions?”
“Drink lots of coffee and try not to fall asleep.” I turned and
left the museum with Wiggles, eager to put distance between me and Mannie before I yanked his beard and called him all kinds of inappropriate names.
“That was some party,” Wiggles said.
“We’re never going to find out who killed Gretel.” I stamped away from the building. “I don’t know what Mannie’s playing at.”
“I do,” Wiggles said. “Our dwarf could be guilty.”
“Mannie Winter, a killer?” I shook my head. “Annoying. Full of his own self-importance. A pain in my behind but not a murderer.”
“Why is he so keen on stopping you from talking to everybody?”
“Because he doesn’t want to put his VIP guests’ noses out of joint,” I said. “Did you see how he was drooling over Isadora? Maybe she’s on his list to be the next Mrs. Winter.”
“Or, he’s giving himself time to get his story straight.” Wiggles trotted next to me. “If he killed Gretel last night, he’d need to firm up his alibi and make sure there’s no chance of him coming under suspicion.”
I looked back at the museum. “Mannie wouldn’t risk his reputation as mayor to get rid of Gretel, would he?”
“Tempest!”
I turned and spotted Mom and Granny Dottie striding toward the cemetery. I walked over to meet them. “Hi, going to check on Aurora?”
“That’s right,” Granny Dottie said. “How’s everything going at the museum? We tried to get a look at the body, but we were ushered out.”
“It wasn’t pleasant to look at,” I said. “She’d been on the ducking stool for a while.”
“Wrinkled up like a giant pink prune, I expect,” Granny Dottie said. “That always happens to me when I’ve been in the tub for too long.”
I grimaced. “Pretty much.”
“How terrible,” Mom said. “We heard someone say the name Gretel. Is that the woman who died?”
“Yes, she was a friend of Mannie’s,” I said. “Gretel Le Strange. She was something big in the history of witchcraft and magic.”
“And why are you still involved?” Granny Dottie straightened my lapel. “I thought your job was security.”
“Dazielle’s not around, and Mannie twisted my arm to look into things until she gets back,” I said. “Although, I’m beginning to think he’s not being totally honest.”
“Our mayor, not honest.” Granny Dottie chortled. “As if there’s such a thing as a dishonest public figure.”
“He’s acting shady. Mannie stopped me from talking to the people who knew Gretel, the people who are most likely to have killed her.”
“Watch out for Mannie Winter,” Mom cautioned. “He’s always got a twinkle in his eye for an attractive young lady.”
I shuddered. “I’ll keep out of his reach. I don’t think he’d dare make a move on me.”
Grannie Dottie chuckled. “I’d like to see him try. I imagine a few fireballs aimed at that oiled beard of his, and he’d soon change his mind. He’d go up like a tinder block.”
We all laughed, but I noticed Mom’s attention was directed at the cemetery.
“Is everything okay at the prison?” I asked her.
“Oh, the prison’s fine.” She turned back to me, but her smile looked strained.
“Mom, what is it?”
“Aurora’s lost weight,” she said.
“She has? I hadn’t noticed.” But then, I’d barely seen Aurora. We were still treading on eggshells whenever we were around each other.
“And she didn’t open Heaven’s Door for two days last week.”
“I noticed the store was shut,” I said. “I wondered if she was having work done inside.”
“Aurora hasn’t said anything if that’s what she’s doing,” Mom said. “In fact, she’s been tricky to talk to. I want to discuss her wedding plans and see if she needs a hand with anything. When was the last time you spoke with her?”
Guilt trickled down my spine. I deliberately hadn’t been talking to Aurora. I thought distance might do us some good. Every time I talked to her about Toby Matlock, I lost my temper, and that only drove Aurora further from me.
“Not for a while,” I said.
“You haven’t discussed any of her wedding plans?” Mom asked. “As her only sister, she’ll want you involved.”
Granny Dottie shook her head. “I still can’t believe Aurora agreed to marry that wrinkly old warlock. He’s as rich as the King of Sweden, but there’s only so much money can smooth over.”
“I haven’t warmed to him either,” I said. “There’s something not right about Toby.”
“Don’t say that to your sister,” Mom said. “She’s besotted with him. I tried to corner him a couple of times in the crypt when they made their announcement. I wanted to get information out of him about their future plans, but he kept avoiding me. Toby also didn’t let Aurora out of his sight for more than a few minutes, so it was hard to get him on his own.”
“Aurora could just be nervous about the wedding,” Granny Dottie said. “I would be if I was marrying Toby Matlock.”
“Don’t say they’ve set a date,” I said.
“Not that we know of.” Mom turned back to the cemetery. “Aurora’s been so distracted. I wish you’d talk to her.”
“She’ll confide in her big sister if she’s having problems.” Granny Dottie patted my arm. “You two have always been close.”
We had until recently. I needed to fix things with Aurora, especially if she was having a hard time. I hated the thought of her having doubts about her relationship with Toby but not feeling comfortable turning to me for advice.
“I’ll look out for her,” I said. “See what I can find out.”
“Yes, we all will,” Mom said. “Don’t let that distract you from your business here. If you’re involved in this murder investigation, you need to focus.”
“I will if Mannie lets me,” I said. “He’s going to want to stick his nose into everything I do. If he does that too many times, I might find myself arrested by the angels for his murder.”
“Tempest! Don’t say such a thing,” Mom said. “You don’t go around telling people you’re going to kill our mayor.”
“I’m sure a lot of people have thought it,” Granny Dottie said. “He can be an officious little toad.”
There was a gentle rumble under our feet, and we all tensed.
“That came from the cemetery,” Mom said.
Granny Dottie rolled her shoulders. “A new crack must have formed.”
Mom grabbed her arm. “Let’s go. Aurora’s on her own.”
“Do you need any help?” I called to their retreating backs, always amazed at how fast they ran when they sensed trouble.
Mom waved a hand in the air. “We’ll be fine. Make sure you see your sister soon.”
I watched them race toward the cemetery. As much as I loved Aurora, I wasn’t sure how to make things right with her. We would never agree on her relationship with Toby.
I had to figure out how to have Aurora in my life without us exploding at each other every time Toby Matlock was mentioned. It was either that or dig up enough dirt on him to convince her she was with the wrong guy. So far, my attempts to do that had led me down several dead ends, and my sister wasn’t talking to me.
“Those canapés didn’t fill me up,” Wiggles said. “I ate a whole tray, and I’m already hungry.”
“We can have a late dinner if you like,” I said.
“Now you’re talking,” Wiggles said. “What are you thinking?”
“How about the Unicorn’s Trough? We can check Seth’s alibi and see what Brogan knows about him.”
“He was one smooth talking half-vampire,” Wiggles said. “But he knows how to pick cute girlfriends. Lotus is adorable. We don’t get many elves around here. She gave me a belly rub while I was waiting for you.”
“You also don’t get many elves interested in vampires,” I said. “Let’s get something to eat and see if we can figure out this murder before I end up committing one of my own.”
&n
bsp; Chapter 6
The Unicorn’s Trough only had a few diners when we entered. It was past most people’s dinnertime, so we had the pick of the tables. I strolled to the counter and checked out the specials board.
Brogan wandered over, his shirt sleeves pushed up to reveal the intricate tattoos on his forearms. “I heard about some fun at the new museum.”
“News gets out fast,” I said. “Mannie’s grand opening plan ended in a watery disaster.”
Brogan arched a dark eyebrow. “Was there really a dead witch on the ducking stool?”
“There was. No one from here, though. Gretel was helping Mannie to set up the museum. I didn’t know her, but from what I’ve heard so far, she wasn’t popular.”
“Even so, it’s a terrible way to go. Are you here for something to eat or to quiz my diners?”
“We’re only here for the food,” Wiggles said. “As soon as Tempest makes up her mind.” He nudged me with his nose.
“And some information if you can spare us the time.”
Brogan nodded as he looked around. “It’s not busy. Everyone’s order is in, and I haven’t eaten. Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not,” I said. “What’s good tonight?”
He grinned. “Everything’s good. I recommend the ham hock, cider, and green peppercorn pie with creamy mash and maple glazed carrots.”
My mouth watered. “I’ll have two of those.”
“Be right back.” Brogan strolled away to place our order.
I settled in a seat by the window, and Wiggles joined me.
“I know you’re dating Rhett,” Wiggles said, “but it’s always good to keep your options open.”
I looked down at him. “I know exactly what you’re going to say. Don’t waste your breath.”
“Brogan Costin is a catch. He owns his own business. He can cook, and he’s single.”
“That you know of,” I said. Although, I hadn’t seen Brogan dating anyone.
“He makes a mean breakfast,” Wiggles said. “All I get from Rhett are cookies.”
“Rhett can stop giving you cookies if you’re bored with them.”
His ears shot up. “No! Cookies are excellent. I love Rhett’s cookies. It’s just that, well, Brogan’s sausages are outstanding.”
