Wicked Decisions

by Lily Harper Hart

  Jack worked his jaw. “No, but ... we don’t know anything yet.” He was determined to keep the investigation moving forward because if they stood still and focused on the earring too long, it wouldn’t go well for any of them. “We just need to take this one step at a time.”

  “You’re a lot calmer than I thought you would be.” Brian found he was relieved at that. “I figured you would be freaking out. Heck, I figured Ivy would be freaking out. You guys must’ve had quite the conversation last night.”

  “She was never angry with me. Well, she was kind of angry with me. As for telling her, I just blurted it out like an idiot. I couldn’t keep it to myself. She asked me something that would’ve required me to lie — or at least evade the truth — and I couldn’t do it.”

  Brian blew out a heavy sigh. “I figured you would have difficulty.”

  “I can’t lie to her.”

  “Even if it costs you your job?”

  Jack frowned. “Even if. She’s the single most important thing to me. That’s never going to change. I can get another job if it becomes necessary. I can’t get another her.”

  “Yeah.” Brian’s eyes were trained on the road, but he could sense Jack’s unease. “As long as Felicity is there when we arrive at the store to question her, it’s not going to be an issue. If she’s taken off, though ... .”

  “She won’t run.” Jack couldn’t be sure of much when it came to this case, but he was convinced of that. “She’s the sort of woman who would admit to what she’s done if caught. That’s just who she is.”

  “I’m a little worried that you just said that. To my mind, that means you’re backing off your adamant stance that she couldn’t possibly kill someone.”

  Jack opened his mouth to respond and found he couldn’t find the appropriate words.

  “I’ve known Felicity for a long time,” Brian volunteered. “I’ve never seen anything that would suggest she’s capable of killing someone. She is fiercely loyal, though. She’s also proud. If Zelda somehow tested that loyalty or pride ... .”

  Jack had been thinking the same thing. One thing stuck in his craw, though. “If Felicity were going to hurt someone, it would be in defense of someone she loves or herself. She would not hide in a storage room and attack Zelda from behind. That’s not who she is.”

  Brian pursed his lips. “No, I think you’re right on that front. Like I said, there’s every chance Felicity has an airtight alibi. We might be freaking out over nothing.”

  “It’s still going to be hard to explain that earring.”

  “It is. Maybe she sold the earrings or something. We might still luck out on that front, too.”

  Jack appreciated the words but there was no tempering his doubts. He was afraid.

  FELICITY WAS WORKING BEHIND THE counter of her store when the detectives entered. She glanced up, a smile on her face, but her eyes clouded when she recognized her guests.

  “I figured you guys would be stopping by today.” She looked resigned. “I didn’t think it would be so early but ... I guess it’s good to get it out of the way.” She wiped her hands on her apron and sighed. “Do you want some tea?”

  Her reaction was enough to set Jack’s teeth on edge. “Who called you?”

  Her eyebrows winged up. “Was someone supposed to call me?” She looked legitimately confused.

  “Was it Ivy or Max?”

  Brian made a growling noise deep in his throat. “Max? You told Max, too? You left that little part out of your story.”

  “Max was there when I told Ivy ... and back off.” Jack’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “He had to be the one to tip off Felicity. Ivy promised me and she wouldn’t break her promise.”

  Brian rolled his eyes. “Good grief.” He pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “I can’t believe you told Max. I mean ... come on.”

  Despite the serious nature of the situation, Felicity looked amused. “Neither one of them told me anything. I suppose that means they already know about Henry. Ah, well, I guess that’s better. I wasn’t looking forward to telling them.”

  Jack moved toward the table in the corner of the shop as Felicity gestured. She stopped by the front door long enough to turn the sign so it said “be back soon” and then grabbed the pot of tea from the counter and carried it to the table.

  “We have some questions,” Brian volunteered. “They’re probably going to be uncomfortable questions. And, while we’re on the subject, if Ivy and Max didn’t tip you off, how did you know we would be coming?”

  “Zelda’s murder was the lead story on the news last night. I figured it was only a matter of time once you talked to Henry.”

  “And you didn’t run?”

  Felicity’s frown was pronounced. “Why would I run?”

  “Because you’re a suspect.”

  Instead of being upset, or bursting into tears and proclaiming her innocence, Felicity merely laughed. “Oh, geez. Are you really looking at me as a potential killer?”

  Brian nodded as he took the open chair next to Jack. “We don’t have a choice given the circumstances. Did you realize you were one of four women dating Henry Spencer?”

  “Yes.”

  “And yet you still dated him,” Jack pressed, tamping down his bitter disappointment. He didn’t understand how Felicity could value herself so little that she would spend her time with a world-famous man whore. It just didn’t make any sense.

  “Henry is ... a fun individual.” Felicity chose her words carefully. “From your perspective, you probably don’t understand how I could willingly date a man who was also dating other women, but the relationship was hardly serious.”

  “You were dating him several weeks,” Brian prodded. “At least according to Henry, that is.”

  “We were dating,” she agreed. “That doesn’t mean what you think it means, though. I wasn’t having sex with him.”

  Jack cringed. He was uncomfortable hearing those words come out of Ivy’s beloved aunt’s mouth. “Oh, geez.”

  Brian shot him a quelling look. “Why would you date the man if you weren’t having an intimate relationship with him?”

  Felicity’s answer was simple. “For companionship.”

  “For companionship?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m going to need more than that.”

  Felicity exhaled heavily, as if calming herself. “This is exactly why I didn’t want anyone to find out about this. It’s so ... embarrassing.”

  Jack’s heart went out to her and he reached across the table so he could pat her hand. “Just tell us. We need to know.”

  Felicity shot him a fond smile. “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

  Brian was firm. “You really don’t.”

  “Okay, here it is ... .” Felicity took a bracing breath. “I’m lonely. I know I shouldn’t be and I never married by choice but ... there it is. I’ve never been the sort of woman who believes she needs a man to fulfill her life. That’s simply not who I am.

  “That doesn’t mean there aren’t times I wouldn’t like a companion to have dinner with ... or go to the movies with ... or even have a simple conversation with,” she continued. “The thing is, it’s only hit me recently how very alone I am. Luna was always happy with Michael — and I would never begrudge her the happiness she’s earned — but I was always a little jealous. Michael is a one-of-a-kind man.

  “Still, even though they spend half the year in warmer climates, I was never alone. I always had Max and Ivy. They were like my own children and I actually got to act as their primary parental figure for half the year. I was good. I was fine.”

  Her gaze slowly tracked to Jack. “And then you came along.”

  He stilled. “W-what?”

  “Oh, I’m not blaming you for anything, Jack,” she reassured him quickly. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to Ivy. I mean ... the very best thing. You’ve made her life so much better and brought true joy into her heart. You’re a beautiful soul and you’ve made her
so very happy.

  “You’ve also taken up a lot of her time,” she continued. “Before you arrived, that time was earmarked for me. Since you’ve come into her life, she has less and less time for me.”

  Jack felt helpless. “I’m sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.” Felicity was firm. “I love Ivy with my whole heart and you’re good for her. The life you two are going to have together ... well ... it’s going to be beautiful. That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t feeling out of sorts. Then, when you add Max to the mix, well ... .”

  “Who would’ve ever thought Max would’ve picked now to settle down?” Brian mused.

  “Oh, I always knew he was going to turn into a wonderful man. He just needed to sow his wild oats. He’s apparently done doing that. I didn’t think it would be this soon.”

  “So ... you’re saying you were lonely,” Jack supplied, shaking his head. “That doesn’t mean you needed to date Henry. The man is a toad.”

  “Actually, he’s a lot of fun.” Felicity laughed at Jack’s baffled expression. “I’m being serious. He has great taste in movies and loves a good meal.”

  “So he expressed to us,” Brian said dryly. “What about the others, though? Are you saying you’re fine with him dating other women?”

  Felicity nodded without hesitation. “I actually encourage it. I don’t want to see him more than one or two days a week. That’s all I have the energy for and I don’t want someone whom I have to constantly take care of. This is really the best of both worlds for me. I get a companion, but it’s not someone who needs constant attention.”

  Jack shifted on his chair, uncomfortable. “Most women in your position would feel jealousy.”

  “I’m not most women.”

  “No, but ... we talked to Fanny and Lucy yesterday. They’re not exactly happy about how things are being handled ... although Lucy is much more comfortable with it than Fanny. They still hate each other.”

  “I’m pretty sure they’ve hated each other since grade school,” Felicity countered. “They’ve never been friendly. I don’t especially remember them being all that friendly with Zelda either. Once Henry moves on from both of them — from all of us — they’ll still hate each other. That will never change.”

  “What about you?” Brian queried. “Were you close with Zelda?”

  Felicity cocked her head to the side, considering. “I don’t know that I would use the word ‘close,’” she said after a beat. “We were never enemies. I always respected her and her business. She felt the same way about me. There was never any animosity between us.”

  “We need to pin down an alibi for you,” Jack interjected. “It’s important. So, where were you between the hours of noon and three yesterday?”

  Felicity gestured toward the storefront. “I was here all day yesterday. I’m always here.”

  “Can someone confirm that?”

  “Like who?”

  “Like customers.”

  “Well ... I had several customers come through the doors yesterday afternoon, but they were all fresh faces. Now that the weather is improving the tourist numbers are increasing on a daily basis. I didn’t recognize anybody who came in yesterday.”

  That wasn’t what Jack wanted to hear. “There must be someone who can confirm seeing you. What about the other business owners? What about the local police? Maybe they were at the coffee shop next door and you waved at them or something.”

  “I very rarely wave at people on the street. Sorry.”

  “Ugh.” Jack rubbed his forehead. “That means you don’t have an alibi.”

  “And we have another problem,” Brian added, digging in his pocket and coming back with the earring. “Can you identify this for us?”

  Curious, Felicity leaned forward. “That’s my earring.” She looked excited more than worried. “I’ve been looking for that for weeks. Wherever did you find it?”

  Brian’s expression remained immovable. “On Zelda’s body.”

  Felicity jerked as if she’d been electrocuted. “Are you being serious?”

  Brian nodded, grave. “Yes. We need to know more information about this earring. When did you lose it?”

  “I ... don’t ... know.” For the first time since they’d entered the store, Felicity looked legitimately worried. “I wear the earrings all the time. We’re talking at least once a week. I first noticed one of them was missing about two and a half weeks ago. I only had one on the dresser in the morning instead of two.

  “Initially I assumed that I simply misplaced it and would stumble across it in the store or in my apartment upstairs,” she continued. “I never did, though, and I was a little broken-hearted about it. I thought it was gone forever.”

  Jack and Brian exchanged weighted looks.

  “Has anyone been inside your apartment in recent weeks?” Brian asked finally.

  “Just the usual suspects. Luna, Michael, Ivy, and Max. Um ... I think Amy was there briefly because Max gave her a tour.”

  “What about Henry?”

  Felicity’s cheeks colored. “He’s been in my apartment for dinner. Nothing more.”

  “What about Lucy or Fanny? Have they ever been inside?”

  “No, and neither has Zelda. We didn’t hang around with one another. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I saw any of them. I guess I might’ve seen them at one of the various Shadow Lake festivals, but I can’t tell you which one.”

  Jack heaved out a sigh. “This isn’t good, Felicity. You know that, right?”

  She balked. “I’m not a murderer, Jack.”

  “I know but ... we can’t rule you out.”

  “Well, I don’t know what to tell you.” Felicity folded her arms across her chest and adopted the same obstinate expression Jack so often found on Ivy’s face. It would’ve been funny if the circumstances weren’t so dire.

  “We need to search your apartment,” Brian volunteered, drawing Felicity’s dark eyes to him. “It will go a long way to clear you if you voluntarily let us search your space. If we have to get a warrant ... .”

  “Some people might call me an idiot for letting the police search my personal space without a warrant,” Felicity noted. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

  “No. I think it’s completely up to you.”

  She stared at him for a long beat and then nodded. “Go ahead and search. I’m innocent. I have nothing to hide.”

  “We just need to prove that,” Brian noted. “It’s not going to be easy. We need to get a jump on it, though.”

  “Then go nuts. Just try not to ruin the herbs I’m drying up there. They take forever to bag.”

  “We’ll do our best.”

  IVY WAS STILL FLUTTERING AROUND the cottage getting ready for work when her phone rang. She made a face when her mother’s name scrolled across the screen, but she answered despite her reticence. If Luna was calling, it couldn’t be good. That didn’t mean she could ignore the call.

  “What’s up, Mom?”

  Luna, who was normally congenial and all about the small talk, launched into a diatribe with very little prodding. “I just got off the phone with your aunt. Do you know what she told me?”

  Ivy had an idea. “That Jack and Brian questioned her regarding the murder of Zelda Morris.”

  Silence met the statement on the other end of the phone.

  “Mom, are you still there?”

  Slowly, like the hiss of a serpent, Luna drew in a breath. “I guess that answers that question. You knew she was going to be interrogated.”

  Ivy felt put on the spot. “I knew was going to be interviewed,” she confirmed. “I couldn’t say anything, though. I promised Jack.”

  “Oh, well, Jack. I’m glad you took his feelings into consideration over mine ... and your aunt’s, for that matter.”

  Ivy bristled. “There’s nothing I can do about it, Mom. Jack has a job to do. If you don’t think he’s going to work his butt off to clear Aunt Felicity, then you obviously don’t know him
. He’s not going to let her get railroaded or anything.”

  “Oh, really? Then why is he searching her apartment right now?”

  Horrified, Ivy’s heart sank. “What? Are you kidding me?”

  “Not even a little. I’m going to tell you right now, Ivy Morgan, if Jack arrests my sister, I’m never making homemade cookies for him again. I mean it.”

  As far as threats go, that was as dark as Luna could manage. Ivy recognized she was serious. There was nothing she could do to soothe her, though.

  “It’s going to be all right, Mom,” she offered lamely. “Just let Jack and Brian do their jobs. They’ll figure it out.”

  “They had better. I’m going to think really mean thoughts until they do, though.” With those words, Luna disconnected the call, leaving Ivy with nothing but her misery as company.

  How long would this continue? She didn’t know, but she was already starting to feel buried. This had to end ... and soon.

  Nine

  “What do you think?”

  Jack waited until they were in the cruiser and heading back to Shadow Lake to ask the obvious question.

  “I think that she was pretty open.” Brian was thoughtful as he focused on the road. “If she’s acting, she’s very good at it.”

  “She’s not acting.” Jack was firm. “I know you think I can’t be objective on this, but it’s simply not who she is.”

  Brian sighed. “You can’t be objective ... and I don’t think it’s who she is either. That doesn’t change the fact that her earring was found on our dead woman.”

  “Maybe it was planted.”

  Brian had to choke back a snort. “Who would plant it?”

  “The killer.”

  “Yes, but ... who has the motive?”

  “One of the other girlfriends. Fanny would be my guess because she seems more connected to Henry than Lucy but maybe that’s an act. Maybe it’s Lucy and she’s just pretending she doesn’t care. It would be a great way to cover her actions.”

  “If you’re going to use that rationale, then Felicity is in the same boat. She could’ve been acting, too.”