He grinned. “That’s the hope. I can’t hear myself think at home. It’s chaos all day every day.”
“Have you considered sticking around and trying to help?”
Kirk winced. “I work a lot of hours. The last thing I want to do in my down time is chase after the kids. I get exhausted just watching Shana with them.”
I tried not to pass judgment, but I had to imagine that Shana didn’t appreciate Kirk’s disappearing act. She was probably at the end of her rope most days.
“Are those Nari’s paintings over there?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah. I’ve never looked through them. We respect each other’s privacy. That’s part of the agreement.”
“Do you mind if I look through them?”
He shrugged. “As long as you don’t run off with any, sure.”
I crossed the room and flicked through the first pile of paintings. They weren’t as vivid as the ones in the gallery. Maybe that was the reason they remained here. Nari had decided they weren’t her best work. I noticed similar themes—the ocean, mythological creatures, and active rather than passive imagery.
The second pile was remarkably different. The paintings seemed to reflect childhood images. A well-loved teddy bear with a bow tie. A small chair painted cherry red. A red wagon filled with children’s books. I sensed nostalgia but also contentment. This stash seemed more for personal satisfaction than for sale. It made me think about my own childhood attachments, as limited as they were. My mother and Grandma constantly tried to entice me with their version of the ‘right’ toys and books. They replaced my regular doll with a voodoo doll and my books about curious puppies with books about taming demons. They were the same way with Olivia, constantly trying to influence her to their dark supernatural side. Part of the reason I made peace with being home again was the opportunity to have a positive influence on Olivia and Ryan. I had to make sure I was actually doing it and not just thinking about it.
“Find anything useful?” Kirk asked, interrupting my thoughts.
I let go of the paintings and turned to face him. “Nothing obvious. You haven’t noticed anything unusual recently, have you?”
“It’s been business as usual, as far as I can tell. We’re two ships passing in the night, though, so I can’t say for sure.”
I drew a deep breath, knowing that my next statement was going to upend Kirk’s routine. “Kirk, I hate to break this to you, but I need to speak to your wife.”
He balked. “Why? Why would you need to do that?”
“Because I have to be sure that she doesn’t know anything about Nari. If there’s the slightest chance that she mistook Nari for your mistress…”
“And did what? Kidnapped her?” He scratched the top of his head. “That’s nuts. Shana can barely shower in the morning, let alone carry out some crazy plan to kidnap someone.”
“I’m not asking for permission,” I said gently. “Nari is missing and I’m afraid that trumps your secret man cave. I just thought you should have a heads up for when you go home later.”
He arched his back and stretched. “What if she wants me to give this place up?”
“Who knows? Maybe she won’t.”
“Shana didn’t have anything to do with Nari’s disappearance. I can promise you that much.”
“You think you know her well?”
He straightened his shoulders. “Of course. She’s my wife.”
“And would she ever guess that you were secretly practicing yoga in an old windmill?”
His expression soured. “Point taken. Do me a favor though. Say a couple of nice things about me. That way maybe she won’t kill me when I get home.”
“From what you’ve said, she’s far too preoccupied to kill you.” Reluctantly, he gave me the address and I patted his shoulder. “Take a deep breath, Kirk. Find your bliss.”
He folded his hands together and bowed. “Namaste.”
Shana Hastings answered the door with one child on her hip and a little boy wrapped around her leg. Her light brown hair was falling out of its ponytail and her top was stained with toothpaste and spit-up. Dark circles shadowed her eyes.
I showed her my badge. “Hi, Mrs. Hastings. My name is Agent Eden Fury. Do you have a minute?”
She inclined her head toward the kids. “Does it look like I have a minute?”
“Well, either way, I would appreciate a few minutes of your time. I promise not to take too long. A few questions and I’ll be on my way.”
“Is this about that parking ticket? Because I swear I didn’t stay past the four hours. There must’ve been a glitch with the machine.”
“I’m not a local cop, Mrs. Hastings. I don’t deal with parking tickets.”
“Can I see your badge?” the little boy asked, practically standing on his toes for a glimpse.
I handed it to him for inspection and his face glowed in response. “Just don’t try to eat it,” I advised. “It’s pretty dirty.”
“Cool.” He clutched the badge and disappeared into the house with it.
Shana set the younger child on the floor and ushered me inside. “I’d offer you a drink, but then I’d have to find a clean glass.”
“It’s no problem. I only want to ask you a few questions.” Now that the older child was out of earshot, I felt more comfortable interviewing her.
“Yeah, you mentioned that. Is this about the lawn because I told Mrs. Charnock that we’d have it mowed this weekend?”
“I don’t know anything about a lawn.”
“Good, because that woman is off her meds if she thinks I give a hoot whether my grass is half an inch too long. She can take the HOA rules and shove them…”
I held up a hand. “Mrs. Hastings, I’m not here on behalf of Mrs. Charnock or the HOA. Does the name Nari mean anything to you?”
She frowned. “Nari? Is that the Indian restaurant downtown?”
“No.” I pulled out my phone and tapped to open a photo of the artist. “Do you recognize this woman?”
She peered at my screen and shook her head. “Should I?” Her breathing hitched and her tired eyes suddenly flared with life. “Are you a private investigator?
“No, Mrs. Hastings. As I said, I’m a federal agent.”
Shana seemed oblivious to my response. “Is that woman my husband’s mistress? Did her husband hire you?”
“What makes you think your husband is having an affair?”
She glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the little boy and lowered her voice. “He’s been telling me he’s at work, but I know he isn’t. I tried to follow him one day, but Lucas gets carsick and he threw up all over the seat so I had to turn around and come home.”
“You haven’t asked him?”
She barked a laugh. “Do you think he’d just admit it?”
“Sometimes they do,” I said.
“He’s been sneaking around. Lying about where he’s going. There’s a monthly fee coming out of the bank account that I can’t account for. And in the bedroom, he seems more…limber. My mother sent me an article that says men get better in the bedroom at home when they’re having an affair. It’s one of the signs.”
“Mrs. Hastings, you should talk to your husband. I don’t think he’s having an affair with Nari or anyone else.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Then how do you explain what’s been going on? Is he growing pot in a field? It’s pot, isn’t it?”
“He’s been renting a co-op space and learning yoga, which apparently has yielded benefits for both of you.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’m investigating the disappearance of this woman.” I wiggled my phone. “And it just so happens that your husband shares a workspace with her, but not at the same time. She uses it as an art studio during her allotted hours and your husband has been using it as a yoga studio during his.”
She puffed out a disbelieving breath. “A yoga studio? Kirk? That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. He can’t get past tha
t stomach of his to touch his toes.”
“He’s been working on it. You said yourself he’s been more limber.”
Shana glanced away wearing a thoughtful expression. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
“That’s a conversation you’ll need to have with your husband when he comes home. He knows I’m speaking with you now, so it should be easy to break the ice.”
She licked her lips. “I guess the good news is that my mother was wrong.” She smiled. “I love it when she’s wrong.”
“I’ll need my badge.”
“Lucas! The federal agent needs her badge!”
The little boy darted toward me with his arm outstretched. I reclaimed my badge and immediately felt a sticky substance on the metal.
“I cleaned it for you,” Lucas said.
His mother’s lip curled. “With what? Your tongue? I can see the crumbs from here.” She gave me an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I have a niece and nephew and they’re just the same.” Almost.
I returned to my car, holding the badge like I had pincers instead of fingers. Despite the new leads, Nari’s disappearance remained a mystery. Good thing the supernatural council meeting was tonight because it was time to release the hounds.
Chapter Twelve
Chief Fox and I met in the parking lot of Chophouse promptly at seven, exchanging updates. According to the chief, Nari’s brother and cousin had yielded no information, just more positive comments about how much they love Nari and how wonderful she is.
We entered the restaurant and cut through the main dining area to the private room.
“We’re the first ones here,” I said, closing the door behind us.
“Is that unusual?” he asked.
“Yes, actually. I tend to be the last one to arrive.”
He pulled out a chair and I made a noise at the back of my throat. “What?” he asked.
“That’s where Adele sits. You don’t want to insult a witch by stealing her seat.”
“Okay then.” He pushed back the chair and reached for another one.
“Aggie Grace sits there. You can’t displace an old woman.”
He wore an amused expression. “Why don’t you tell me where I should sit so that I don’t risk insulting or displacing anyone?”
The door swung open and Rafael entered with a folded tablecloth. The warlock stopped short when he noticed us. “You’re early.”
“It’s seven.”
“They delayed the meeting half an hour for Hugh,” he said, unfolding the tablecloth and covering the table with it. “Didn’t you get the group text?”
“No.” I pulled out my phone and checked. “No text.”
Rafael shrugged. “You’ll have to check with them when they get here.”
“Can we get drinks while we wait or is that a pain?” I asked.
“Of course. I wouldn’t dream of depriving my dear cousin. What would you like?”
“A gin and tonic and can we get a plate of appetizers too?”
“A hazy IPA for me,” the chief said.
Rafael nodded before ducking out of the room.
“He waits on everyone?” Chief Fox queried. “I would’ve thought he was too busy.”
“He is, but he also doesn’t trust anyone else,” I said. “Most of his servers are human. We can’t risk them overhearing something they shouldn’t. Besides, he likes the prestige of hosting the meetings and feeling like he’s a part of the council.”
We reached for the same chair at the same time and our hands touched. We stood in silence for a moment, just looking at each other with half-dazed expressions.
“Now probably isn’t a good time to be ogling, Agent Fury,” he said in a low voice. “Someone might walk through the door any second.”
“I’m not ogling,” I said, while still ogling him.
He broke into a grin. “I’m not saying I don’t enjoy it. I’m just saying if you intend to keep us a secret, you’d better do something about those hungry eyes of yours.”
“Right back at you, Johnny Castle.”
“Who’s Johnny Castle?”
My brow lifted. “You’ve never seen Dirty Dancing?”
“Sounds like an adult film. Is that one of your mother’s?”
I laughed. “It’s a classic movie. Even Alice loves it. It has Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.” I waited for a reaction. “Never mind.”
The door opened and Adele LeRoux sauntered in, followed by Husbourne Crawley, Aggie Grace, and Hugh Phelps.
“What miracle prompted this?” Hugh asked, his gaze alighting on me.
“The miracle called ‘someone forgot to include Eden on the group text,’” I replied.
“Husbourne,” Adele said, her tone cross. “You were in charge of communication.”
The wizard gave me a sheepish look. “Apologies, my girl. I’m still getting accustomed to this newfangled technology.”
Everyone took their seats and the chief settled across from me, which was probably for the best. Our chemistry was too palpable. If he sat next to me, I had a feeling our arms would be constantly brushing against each other.
Rafael entered the room with a large tray. He set down our requested drinks, as well as the customary glasses of a gold liquid called Fairy Dust.
“Ooh, that appetizer smells delicious,” Aggie said, sniffing the air.
“Sorry, I ordered one because we got here early,” I said.
“Don’t be sorry, as long as you’re willing to share.”
I pushed the plate toward her. “Help yourself.”
“Any specials tonight?” Hugh asked. “I’m in the mood for a nice hunk of meat.”
“What else is new?” I murmured.
Rafael reeled off the list of specials and took orders. Once he exited the room, Aggie initiated the meeting. There was a discussion about a denied construction permit. Melinda Flagg was a local harpy who wanted to add a widow’s walk on the roof of her new house to make night flights easier, but the town council objected to the change not knowing the real reason for the request. Husbourne had intervened on her behalf and managed to obtain the permit.
“That’s wonderful news, Husbourne,” Adele said.
“Melinda and her sisters are pretty pleased with the outcome,” Husbourne said. “They even offered to pay for our dinners tonight, but I told her we have a budget for that.”
“Maybe you’ll run into her on a night flight of your own,” Hugh said, nudging me. I wanted to give him a sharp elbow to the groin.
“I don’t do night flights,” I said. “I don’t make a habit of using my wings.”
Hugh snatched a morsel from the appetizer plate and popped it into his mouth. “Immortality is wasted on you.”
“Any new business?” Aggie prompted.
I exchanged glances with Chief Fox. “As a matter of fact, there is. Chief Fox and I are investigating a missing artist. A kitsune named Nari.”
“See?” Husbourne said. “This is exactly the kind of situation where it makes sense to have Chief Fox in the know. Y’all can work together and compare notes.”
“And how do your notes compare thus far?” Adele asked.
I set down my gin and tonic. “Not good, which is why I’m raising the matter now. I’d like to enlist your help, Hugh.”
He nodded. “I can have the wolves check the parks and the woods surrounding the town. See if they can pick up her scent.”
I shot him a grateful smile. “Thanks. I can get you her jacket. It’s in my car.”
“What about the kitsune community leader?” Aggie asked. “Have you contacted him?”
“I don’t know who it is,” I said.
Husbourne pulled the plate of appetizers closer to him. “That would be Mr. Takedo.”
“The dry cleaner?” Chief Fox asked.
Husbourne nodded. “Nice fella. Knows every kitsune in town, of course, which likely involves their personal lives to some extent.”
“Thank y
ou. That’s helpful.” The chief looked at me. “I’ve met him a few times, so I’m happy to talk to him unless you’d rather do it.”
“We can go together in the morning,” I suggested.
“I’ll assemble the wolves and let you know if we find anything,” Hugh said.
“Do you have any theories as to what happened?” Aggie asked.
“Nothing but dead ends so far,” I said.
She cocked her head. “You should come by the house tomorrow and talk to my sisters. I’m sure one of them knows Nari. I’ve heard her name mentioned on occasion, but can’t remember which sister.”
“That’s a good idea. Thanks.” Of course the Grace sisters would have knowledge of a local artist, especially one like Nari with such a close connection to her muse.
The door opened and Rafael swept in with our meals. I’d forgotten how hungry I was until he set the dinner plate in front of me.
“Any other new business?” Aggie asked.
“Not necessarily new business,” Husbourne drawled, “but I understand your cousin Helena is in town, Eden.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, she is.”
“Helena is in town?” Adele asked. “I hadn’t heard.”
“I’m surprised Corinne didn’t mention it to you,” Aggie said. “I saw Helena in Magic Beans yesterday.”
I perked up. “Really? Who was she with?” No one else in my family would dare set foot in Corinne LeRoux’s coffee shop.
“She was by herself,” Aggie said. “She seemed to waiting for someone. She looked around and then left before I had a chance to say hello.”
“I don’t suppose you’ve had any run-ins with her, Chief?” Hugh asked.
Chief Fox shot me a quizzical look. “Uh, no. Can’t say that I have.”
“Helena is older and wiser now,” I said, struggling not to become defensive. “She has a much better handle on her abilities.”
“I should hope so,” Aggie said. “She was quite the mess as I recall.”
“She wasn’t that bad,” I said. Helena wasn’t a supernatural that deliberately made bad choices like other members of my family. It had taken her time to grow into her powers, that’s all.
“She once caused Irwin Fulke to have a seizure,” Adele said. “Do you remember that, Aggie?”
Every Picture Tells A Fury (Federal Bureau of Magic Cozy Mystery Book 8) Page 11
