I recalled Erik saying he’d been finding dead birds in front of his house. He thought it was a sign of Denise’s hex. Suddenly, I thought of something else I had in common with Erik: a string of bad luck. I had clients canceling, cops on my back, prank calls—and now a dead bird.
Was I cursed, too?
Josie rubbed against my leg and purred. I laughed. “You’re right, Josie. I’m being silly. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. More action and less fretting.”
I grabbed my phone and shot off a text to Farrah.
How ya doin’? Can I bring you anything?
A few seconds later, I received her reply. I’m cool. I have a *man* stopping by soon. Hot date at home. Fill ya in later.
I sighed, as I tossed my phone back into my purse. So much for that. I looked over at Josie who stared at me with narrowed eyes.
“Okay, okay. I’ll get your dinner.”
As I opened a can of cat food, my mind returned to the dead bird. There were no marks of a predator. Someone had placed it on my doorstep. I didn’t know who or why, but I felt sure it had to be connected to the people in Fynn Hollow. I needed to learn more about them.
I checked the time. Julie usually left the law office at 5:00, so I couldn’t catch her there. But I had her number in my address book. I dialed and waited. When she picked up, she sounded exceptionally pleased to hear from me. In fact, she sounded giddy. I checked the time. Ah. Happy hour.
“Of course I can chat!” she said, in answer to my question. “Why don’t you join us at the Loose? Your man is here, you know. Fighting off the ladies!”
“I don’t doubt it. I’ll be there in a few.”
I freshened up and changed into jeans, a scoop-neck dusty rose sweater, and a necklace Wes had given me as a Yule gift. It was a lovely diamond-accented crescent moon. My lucky charm.
I decided to walk, even though, as I admonished myself, I was going to the nightclub for information, not booze. On the other hand, maybe a nice, stiff drink was just what I needed, considering the week I’d had. And it was only Wednesday.
“There she is!” shouted Julie, as soon as I entered the club. “The rebel attorney!”
I waved at her, then moved toward the bar to say hi to Wes. He beamed in surprise, but was distracted when a waitress handed him a stack of drink orders. I blew him a kiss and made my way to Julie’s table toward the back.
She introduced me to her friends, all legal secretaries or receptionists like herself. They were a peppy group of bright-eyed twentysomethings, who appeared well on their way to putting the happy in happy hour. Ah, to be so innocent.
“Why did you call me a rebel?” I asked Julie. “Just because I’m not wearing a suit?”
“’Cause you gave up your partner position! You made it, then let it all go to strike out on your own, like the Lone Ranger or something. Who does that?”
“Only the brave,” said one of the young women.
“Or the crazy,” I countered with a smile.
A waitress stopped at our table and set a drink in front of me. “Courtesy of the bartender,” she said.
I glanced over at Wes, who tossed me an exaggerated wink. Laughing, I raised my glass in thanks and took a sip. Just as I suspected, it was one of my old favorites: rum and Coke, with a wedge of lime.
Julie grabbed my arm. “Do a shot with us, Keli! Becca got a promotion, so we’re celebrating.”
“That’s awesome! Congrats, Becca. But no to the shot. I’m good.”
“Well, the night’s still young. Ooh, root beer barrels! Just like in college.” She slid a shot glass in front of me in spite of my refusal. I realized I better get a move on with my questions, before the table got too wild for conversation.
“Anyone else here from Fynn Hollow?” I asked.
“No, just me,” said Julie. “Oh, yeah, you said you have more questions about Denise Crowley. I don’t know what else I can tell you. I hardly ever saw her after high school. She was kind of a funky, different kind of person. But interesting. And self-confident. She seemed like she always stayed true to herself.”
Once again, I found myself wishing I’d had a chance to know Denise when she was alive. I always admired people who were true to themselves.
“Oh!” said Julie, grabbing my arm again. “You know who I did see recently? Poppy Sheahan. She was hanging up flyers on a bulletin board at the university. I saw her on my way to the law library to pick up a book Crenshaw ordered.”
“Crenshaw sent you on an errand?”
Julie shrugged. “You sound like Beverly. But I didn’t mind. It’s good to get out of the office now and then. Anyway, I recognized Poppy from halfway across the quad. She has the same bright hair and loud, colorful style she always did. I was gonna say hello and, you know, give her my condolences. But she left before I got there.”
“Too bad. Any idea what the flyers were for?”
“Yeah, I was curious, too. They were for an art festival coming up this Saturday. It’s happening at Fieldstone Park.”
“The Earth Day Art Festival? I heard about that. So, Poppy’s involved with the festival?”
“I guess so.” Julie turned to her friends. “Who’s hungry? Should we order some food?”
Just then, Becca looked over my shoulder toward the door and drew in her breath. “Uh-oh. They’re coming for you, Julie.”
I followed her gaze and nearly spilled my drink. It was Deputy Langham, in full uniform, complete with a Smokey the Bear–style hat and big silver badge. His eagle eyes swept the room, and I quickly turned away and slouched in my seat. What is he doing here?
Julie and her friends giggled, but I couldn’t join in. I dared another peek and saw Langham speaking with the waitress. She pointed at Wes, who was rattling a cocktail shaker with his back to the door. Langham nodded and moseyed up to the bar, looking anything but casual. He removed his hat and settled onto a stool near the end, where he had a perfect view of anyone entering or exiting through the front door. Like a sentinel, I thought.
When the waitress stopped at our table with the next round of shots, I motioned her closer. “What does the cop want?” I asked.
“He wants to chat with Wes. But he said he’s not in a hurry. He’ll wait for Wes to take a break.”
Terrific. He probably wanted to grill Wes about my whereabouts on Saturday. And he came here instead of the house to catch Wes off guard and prevent him from conferring with me. I just knew it.
“Want another rum and Coke?” asked the waitress.
“No, thanks,” I said glumly.
After she took food orders from Julie and the others, I watched her disappear through the swinging doors to the kitchen. I knew there was a service door in there that led to the alley behind the bar. A back-door escape seemed awfully appealing right about now.
I squeezed the lime into the remains of my drink as I pondered what to do. I didn’t know why I was so jittery. So what if Langham saw me? He wouldn’t decide to interrogate me right here and now. Would he?
Julie leaned over and slid a shot glass in front of me. It was filled to the rim. “Come on. For old times’ sake. It’s not the same without you at the firm. Crenshaw sulked for a week after you left.”
“How could you tell?”
Julie cackled. “Good point! He’s always kind of a sourpuss, isn’t he?”
I spared another glance toward Langham and saw he was now sipping a cola. Then the door opened again, and I nearly fell out of my chair. It was Viper, in tight jeans, leather jacket, and permanent scowl. He sauntered right past Langham and slid into a booth as if he owned the place.
Boy, for somebody who can’t drive, he sure gets around. All at once, my mind conjured an unpleasant scenario. What if Viper saw me and came over to apologize for his uncivilized behavior? Stranger things had happened. And then, what if Langham saw us together? It would totally undermine my insistence that I wasn’t friends with the Fynn Hollow crew.
Julie scraped her chair back and stood up. “Gotta
visit the little girl’s room.” She swayed on her feet and grabbed my shoulder for balance. “Whoa! Got up too fast. Hey, what’s this? You sly dog, Keli! Did you get a tattoo?”
“What? No!” I slapped my hand to my chest, closing the gap Julie had accidentally looked down. Evidently, my sigil wasn’t as low on my chest as I’d thought. “You’re seeing things.”
Julie wagged her finger at me and giggled. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell.”
As she stumbled off, I shook my head. With my hand still pressed to my heart, I breathed in the energy of the ankh. Then I peered across the bar at Langham, who was as immovable as an iron fixture, and Viper, who scanned the room as if he was looking for somebody. It was getting way too crowded in here. In one quick motion, I tossed back the root beer–flavored shot. Making a face, I darted for the kitchen door. And I didn’t stop until I was safely at home.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The next morning, instead of going into work, I hopped into my car and headed for Fynn Hollow. I hoped to chat with Thorna and gather more intel on Denise and her friends. In particular, I wanted to learn more about the midnight callers Denise used to receive. Truth be told, I was also avoiding my office. Not only did I have no clients, but I was also afraid Langham might decide to drop in on me.
When Wes had come home from the bar, he told me he’d made Langham wait for more than an hour. By the time they finally spoke, the deputy had consumed four sodas and was practically dancing before he excused himself to go to the bathroom. Wes thought that was hilarious. He was even more pleased with himself for providing my airtight alibi. He’d guaranteed Langham I was at home, snug as a bug in bed with Wes, right up until the time I left for Moonstone Treasures.
Unfortunately, Wes didn’t know about my call with Detective Rhinehardt, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him. More likely than not, Langham already knew I was seen out on Old County Road at the crack of dawn last Saturday. Even if Wes had made an honest mistake about the time, my credibility—and his—had just slipped another couple of notches in Langham’s eyes.
I put all that out of my mind as I cruised into Fynn Hollow and retraced the route Erik and I had taken to Denise’s house. Thorna’s house was easy to find, since it was right next door. Her bungalow was similar in size and style to Denise’s place, though plainer, with slate-gray siding and black shutters. As I walked up the cobblestone path to her front door, a flock of crows erupted from a nearby tree, cawing madly as they took flight. I glanced over at Denise’s house, dark and quiet. The wind chimes hung forlornly on the porch, limp in the still air.
I rang Thorna’s doorbell and waited. Her house was dark, too. I should have known she wouldn’t be home. After all, it was a weekday morning, a time when most people were at their jobs. I wondered where she worked and if there was any chance I could track her down.
Back in my car, I drove past Denise’s house and around the block. I also wondered where Erik lived. He’d said it was within walking distance of Denise’s place. But there was hardly anyone around. I saw one gardener pruning hedges and one woman pushing a baby carriage, and that was it.
I turned onto the main drag and circled the tiny downtown. As a bedroom community, most of Fynn Hollow’s residents commuted to Edindale or Coral-ville for work. I passed a few shops, offices, and restaurants, but nothing looked very promising. I imagined the town was probably more bustling in the summertime.
I crossed the railroad tracks and passed by a bowling alley, a shuttered factory, and a mechanic’s garage. An old Camaro parked in front of the garage caught my eye. Where had I seen that car before? As if in answer, Viper came out of the garage, wearing stained coveralls and a ball cap. An oily rag dangled from his back pocket. He looked up as I passed by and our eyes locked. If I hadn’t been caught off guard, I might have waved, or even stopped. Instead, I hit the gas pedal and sped away.
What a chicken! I chided myself.
After a few more minutes of aimless driving, I returned to Thorna’s house. This time I was in luck. There was a car in the driveway. For the second time, I went up to her door and rang the bell. She answered right away, but appeared startled to see me. I couldn’t blame her.
“Hi,” I said. “Sorry to drop in like this. I wondered if I could talk to you for a minute.”
“Um, okay. Come on in.” She stood back and ushered me inside. “I’m on my lunch break from work, but I’m in no hurry to go back. I couldn’t have picked a more boring job.”
“Oh?” I asked pleasantly, as I followed her to her small but clean kitchen. I sat at the table and watched as she bustled about, taking two glasses from a cabinet and filling them with tap water.
“Yeah. I’m an administrative assistant for an insurance salesman, and it’s the same thing every day: answer the phone, process claims, mail out sales materials. Scintillating stuff.”
“Been doing it long?”
“Too long. I shouldn’t complain, though. At least it’s a job, right?”
She pulled a prepared diet meal from the freezer and slit the plastic with a fork. “Want one? I have more.”
“That’s okay. I’m really sorry to interrupt your lunch. I just keep thinking about Denise and wanted to talk with someone who knew her. How are you holding up?”
“I’m managing. It’s a bit freaky living so close to a murder scene, but I’m not afraid, if that’s what you mean. It was clearly a targeted thing. Denise courted danger.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she was careless. She stirred up dark energies without taking adequate precautions. I don’t know how much you know about witchcraft, but it’s not all fluffy bunny candles and crystals. There’s real power out there.”
“Hmm,” I said noncommittally. “But it wasn’t a dark spirit that killed Denise. It was a human being acting of their own free will. I assume.”
Thorna lifted one shoulder. “Well, Denise wasn’t exactly discerning about the humans she let into her life either.”
“Are you talking about her customers? The other day you mentioned she often had visitors late at night.”
She snickered. “Yeah. Men mostly. A lot of different men. And they didn’t leave with their purchases, if you get my drift.”
It took me a second to catch on. “Oh! You mean . . .”
She shrugged again. “A girl’s got to make a living, I guess.”
Thorna took her meal from the microwave and sat down across from me. She peeled back the plastic, releasing steam into the air, and stirred the food—some unidentifiable meat-based stew, from what I could tell. As I watched her, I began to wonder how well Thorna had really known Denise. She seemed to do an awful lot of speculating.
“At least Billy seems nice,” I ventured. “I understand he and Denise were school friends.”
“Yeah, Billy’s a sweetheart. A little naïve, but he can’t help it.”
“How did you first meet Billy? Was it through Denise?”
“Gosh, I don’t even remember. This is a small town and an even smaller Pagan community. I probably met him at some event or gathering.”
“Same with Viper?”
She snorted. “Yeah, unfortunately. He’s a piece of work. You gotta watch that one. But I guess you found that out the other night.”
“I guess I did. What’s his deal anyway? Is he just a harmless stoner? Or is he real trouble?”
“Oh, he’s trouble all right. But it’s usually trouble he brings upon himself.” She took a bite of her food and chewed thoughtfully. “He thinks he’s a ladies’ man. Actually, he does get a lot of women. Don’t ask me how. Maybe it’s through magic. Frankly, I don’t see the appeal.”
“I’m with you there.”
Thorna gave me a sly look. “Denise wasn’t. I don’t know what she saw in him. Whatever it was, she saw a lot of it.”
“Was Viper one of her late-night visitors?”
“Mm-hmm. Daytime, night-time. Anytime Erik wasn’t around.”
“You mean this was while
she was dating Erik?” I don’t know why, but this surprised me.
“Oh, yeah. Poor guy. He had no idea.”
“Well, they did break up. Maybe that was why.”
“Could be. At least, partly.”
“From what I can tell, Erik seems like a pretty decent guy. Of course, I haven’t known him long. But he invited me to the Beltane Festival next week. Are you going?”
“Of course; wouldn’t miss it. It’s a great party. You should go.” She finished off her stew and wiped her mouth. “Erik is a decent guy. He’s nice to everybody. I sometimes wonder if he’s jinxed, though.”
“Jinxed? You mean Denise’s curse?”
“I don’t know if she really cursed him. I wouldn’t put it past her. But Erik had bad luck even before he broke it off with Denise. In fact, maybe she picked up some of his bad vibes. People who get close to Erik tend to have their own bad luck—like Viper getting arrested, Billy never keeping a girlfriend. And Denise getting killed. That’s what I mean by jinxed.”
I was speechless. I had never met anyone so superstitious before—and I was a Witch! I believed in a lot of unconventional ideas, but this seemed a little too far-fetched.
Thorna tossed her plastic meal tray in the garbage. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’re safe. Anyway, Erik’s bad luck hasn’t rubbed off on me yet—knock on wood.” She rapped on the table. “I’m sure you don’t have anything to worry about.”
Right. I’d be sure, too, if it weren’t for my own little string of bad luck. But I didn’t believe in jinxes. Did I?
* * *
When I returned to Edindale, I stopped by the drugstore for some toiletries and makeup. Then I swung by my office as a matter of course, even though I didn’t have much work to do. After watering my plants and dusting the waiting room, I took the opportunity to file and polish my nails. It would figure that the moment my nails were wet the phone would ring. I used the eraser end of a pencil to hit the speaker button.
May Day Murder Page 10
