Every Picture Tells A Fury (Federal Bureau of Magic Cozy Mystery Book 8)

by Annabel Chase

  Chapter Fourteen

  After swinging by the barn to check on Princess Buttercup, I walked along the cul-de-sac to the home of the three Graces. Aggie’s sisters were immersed in the creative community. If there was drama or conflict involving Nari, there was a good chance either Charity or Thalia would know about it.

  As I passed Mrs. Paulson’s house next door, I noticed the old woman on all fours in her front garden. She had a spade clenched between her teeth and was wrestling with an unseen object.

  “Can I help you with something, Mrs. Paulson?” I called. She was the epitome of the nosy neighbor and frequently butted heads with my family, but I still would’ve felt uneasy walking straight past an elderly woman in need of assistance.

  She spit the spade from her mouth and craned her neck to look at me. “It’s this weed. I swear it has roots all the way to China. No matter how hard I pull or how much weed killer I use, it won’t budge.”

  Uh oh. That sounded like my family’s handiwork. I walked up the driveway and along the path to investigate, careful not to step a toe on her lawn. Mrs. Paulson was fastidious about her grass and one squashed blade of grass could send her into a pearl-clutching tizzy.

  “What kind of weed is it?” I leaned over for a glimpse.

  “I don’t know.” As she shifted to her bottom, I heard the faint creak of bones. “I don’t recognize it. I’ve checked all my gardening books and asked the members of my gardening club, but no one has any idea. It looks a bit like pitcher’s thistle, but that’s not what it is.”

  I peered between the bushes to see a large spiky weed in the shape of an acorn. The closer I got, the more I felt the supernatural energy emanating from it.

  “Do you know when it sprouted?”

  “I’d say two days ago. I was out here three days ago sweeping the walk and would’ve noticed it. My eyesight isn’t that far gone.”

  The plot thickened. “You had an argument with my grandmother recently, didn’t you?” I’d heard shouting from the barn but hadn’t bothered to follow up. Maybe I should have.

  She glowered at me. “Is the pope Catholic? What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Oh, nothing,” I lied. “It’s just that she and Aunt Thora are very knowledgeable about weeds and I was thinking it’s a shame you can’t ask them if you’re not on good terms.”

  “We’re never on good terms. Esther was making too much noise the other night and I told her so. It was a full moon when all the crazies are out, so I made a point of going to bed with a book and avoiding the nonsense.”

  “What kind of noise?” I’d somehow missed it. Then again, I was pretty adept at tuning out my family when necessary, especially now that I was living in my own space. It was amazing what headphones could achieve.

  “There was singing and bells. It was a genuine ruckus.”

  “What kind of bells? Are we talking tinker, or the Carol of the Bells, or the poem by Edgar Allan Poe?”

  She shot me an annoyed look. “What does it matter? There were bells. It was noisy. I couldn’t escape into my book and I need to read or I can’t fall asleep.”

  “Maybe you should’ve tried a different book.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with the book,” she said heatedly. “I’ve read it multiple times.”

  Sounded like a five-star read. “Which book is it?”

  “A Jodi Picoult novel.” Something in her eyes told me she was lying. She pointed at the offensive weed. “Can you help me or not?”

  “I’m pretty sure I can.” But now I really wanted to know what book Mrs. Paulson was reading.

  “I’d offer my gardening gloves, but I think your hands are too big for them.”

  I ignored the remark. “Would you mind fetching me an empty container? I’d like to take this home to show my family in case any pop up in our yard.” Or so I could beat them with it.

  Mrs. Paulson struggled to her feet. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She ambled toward the house and I could tell from her gait that her hips were bothering her. Gardening had to be tough at her age.

  I leaned forward and wrenched the magical weed from the earth with one hand. Supernatural strength came in handy sometimes. By the time Mrs. Paulson returned with the container, I’d shifted the dirt to cover the hole left behind.

  “You did it,” she said, her shock evident.

  I dropped the weed into the container and sealed it. “You’re lucky it didn’t smell bad.” I’d once had the misfortune of discovering one of Grandma’s revenge plants after it had a week to grow and thrive. The noxious odor had been enough to gag even then most congested person.

  “Thanks, Eden. I don’t know how you managed to not be as terrible as the rest of them, but you have.”

  “Um, thanks.”

  “Must be because you lived away for a few years. It got rid of some of their venom from your veins.”

  I forced a smile. “Something like that. Enjoy your day, Mrs. Paulson.” I tucked the container under my arm and continued to the home of the Grace sisters.

  I always noticed a slight spring to my step as I approached their house. It was as though the heavy veil of negativity lifted the moment I arrived on their doorstep. I clanked the intricately designed door knocker and waited.

  “Eden, you beautiful creature. Come in here.” Thalia enveloped me in a tight hug and I caught the fragrant scent of lilacs.

  “New door knocker?” I asked.

  She peeled away from me and smiled. “Yes, Charity made it. What do you think?”

  “Pretty. Lots of detail.”

  “No kidding. You should’ve heard the swear words she used that week. You would’ve thought she was breaking in Moby Dick.”

  “Sounds like a regular Monday at my mother’s house.”

  Thalia leaned back for a better view of me. “It’s so lovely to see you, Eden. How’s the barn? The noise has died down so I assume the work is finished.”

  “The barn is perfect. Thanks for asking. I’ve got furniture now and I’m learning to use my kitchen like the cousin of a pro that I am.”

  Thalia noticed the container under my arm. “What’s that?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “I take it that’s not the reason you’re here.”

  “Definitely not. Just another mess I happened to clean up on the way over here.”

  She crooked a finger and started walking. “Come into the courtyard. Charity and I have dueling projects going on.”

  “Nothing new there.” I followed her through the house to the inviting courtyard where I’d spent many happy hours as a girl. Throughout my childhood, their house had been an oasis from my own. With a water feature, an ever-changing background of plants and flowers, and an endless parade of artistic projects, the courtyard was a welcome space guaranteed to lift my mood.

  “Eden, what a wonderful surprise.” Charity crossed the courtyard to kiss my cheek.

  “Where’s Aggie?” I asked, settling onto a white wrought-iron stool.

  “Volunteering,” Thalia said, moving to stand behind a work table. “It’s my turn tomorrow, so I’m working on a project for the senior citizens.” She picked up a sprig of lilacs and rooted for space in a glass vase.

  “Floral arrangements?” I queried.

  Thalia shrugged. “I gave them options. Arrangements won by a landslide. Gunther Upsall voted for homemade porn.” She rolled her eyes.

  Charity motioned to a canvas with splashes of pale colors that reminded me of the clouds at sunset. “I’m prepping for a project with the local Brownies. The girls adore watercolor paints.”

  “Aggie mentioned that Helena’s in town,” Thalia said. “How is she?”

  “She seems good. She’s staying in the guest room in the main house.”

  Thalia arched an eyebrow. “The guest room? Didn’t you have to sleep in the attic?”

  I waved a hand. “It’s fine. Alice kept me company there and now I’m in the barn. Can’t complain about that.”
r />   Charity lit up. “You should have a housewarming party. Show off the new digs.”

  I bit my lip. “I don’t know. Then I’d have to invite my family.”

  Thalia raised her brow. “Would you, though?”

  “Of course she would,” Charity said. “She can hardly exclude them. The barn is on their property.”

  “And they were generous enough to give it to me in the first place,” I said.

  Thalia blew a raspberry. “Generous? Don’t be fooled. They did it for their own selfish purposes. The closer you are, the more they can keep you under their thumbs.”

  “Because they’ve managed it so well thus far?” I asked.

  “You’re back in Chipping Cheddar, aren’t you?” Thalia asked pointedly.

  “Yes, but they didn’t make me bite Fergus and have the FBI ship me home.”

  “No, but they’ve made it harder for you to leave again.”

  Charity glanced at her sister. “Cut her some slack, Thalia. I’m sure she’s not here for a lecture on staying wary of her family.”

  “No, I definitely don’t need that,” I agreed. “I’m here about a missing artist. A kitsune named Nari.”

  “Oh, right. Aggie told us.” Charity frowned. “It’s terrible. Do you have any idea what happened to her?”

  “Nothing yet. Chief Fox and I have been investigating, but we keep hitting dead ends. Nari seems to get along with everyone and have no problems worth mentioning.” I envied her that.

  “Chief Fox, huh?” Charity gave her sister a sly look. “How is that handsome man in uniform?”

  “He’s good.”

  Charity leaned forward and fluttered her eyelashes. “How good? Inquiring minds want to know.”

  “Aggie told us he’s allowed to attend supernatural council meetings now,” Thalia said. “That’s a monumental step.”

  “It is,” I said. “It’s great that everyone trusts him.”

  “No offense to Mick O’Neill, but I don’t think he could’ve handled the news about us,” Thalia said.

  “I agree,” I said. “I think it’s one of the reasons my dad never told him.” My father and the former chief had been golf buddies, but the human cop had been oblivious to the fact that he was exchanging good-natured insults with a vengeance demon.

  “I saw Chief Fox the other day with that adorable dog of his and I nearly melted into a puddle right there on the sidewalk.” Charity sighed deeply and fanned herself. “To be young and agile again.”

  I wanted to steer the conversation away from Chief Fox before I gave myself away.

  “Is there any chance Helena had something to do with Nari’s disappearance?” Charity asked.

  I flinched. “No, why would you say that?”

  “Well, you said everyone loves Nari and she had no issues, so maybe it was someone new in town,” Charity said.

  “Or an accident that’s been covered up,” Thalia added.

  “I really don’t think Helena had anything to do with it and I’m not just saying that because she’s my cousin. You know I’m willing to admit when my family members are out of line.”

  Charity resumed painting. “You’ve always had good instincts, Eden. If you don’t think Helena is involved, then I’m sure she isn’t.”

  “I’m tired of defending her,” I admitted. “I feel like she’s been frozen in time because she moved away, so everyone remembers her exactly as they last saw her, as though she couldn’t possibly have changed.”

  “Do you think your mother can change?” Thalia asked pointedly. “Or your grandmother?”

  “That’s different. They’re older and set in their evil ways. Helena was never inherently evil. She just struggled with her abilities. That doesn’t make her bad. That just makes her…”

  “Almost human,” Charity said, suppressing a smile.

  “I’m the same,” I said. “I try to limit the use of my powers and that means sometimes I make mistakes. In fact, Helena probably has a better handle on her abilities than I do.”

  Thalia shoved a few stems into the vase and shifted them around. She seemed unhappy with the result and repositioned them. “To be fair to you, Eden, Helena hasn’t acquired her traits over time the way you have. She’s had her whole life to learn to control her powers.”

  “And you seem to have mastered yours fine,” Charity added. “Not wanting to use them and not knowing how are two different things.” She dipped her brush in the paint and swiped a few strokes of blue across the canvas. “I’m sorry, Eden. I wish we had more to offer.”

  “So do I,” I said. “You should see the painting I bought from Nari. I think you’d really like it.”

  “I’ve seen loads of her work,” Charity said. “If you describe it, I might know which one it is.”

  I told her the main elements. “The detail in the waves is incredible. The different shades of blue…” I glanced at her set of paints. “Where do you buy your paints?”

  “It depends on the style of artwork,” Charity said. “These are from Smart Art.”

  “Have you bought any from Kirby Germain?” I asked. “His stuff is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Nari used his paints to create my piece.”

  “He’s the mage, isn’t he?” Thalia asked. “We met him at a fundraiser that Charity organized.”

  “I went to his house and he happened to be experimenting on a new type of paint. You should definitely check it out. Those statues were right up your alley.”

  Charity and Thalia exchanged intrigued glances. “That sounds very tempting. Thank you for the suggestion.”

  “Be careful, though,” I said. “He tends to work in a black leather smock and nothing else, so you might get an eyeful if you show up unannounced.”

  Thalia gave the flowers in the vase a final fluff and smiled. “Thanks for the tip. Now I know not to call ahead.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  We were in luck for our girls’ night out. The Cheese Wheel was packed, probably due to the entertainment—an ‘80s band complete with leg warmers, big hair, and power ballads. It seemed like the perfect musical soundtrack to accompany Sassy’s breakup.

  “You should’ve seen his face. It felt so good to tell him to get out.” Some random stranger thrust another drink in Sassy’s hand and she sucked it down without a backward glance. Everyone in the bar seemed to know about Sassy’s misfortune.

  “Did he admit it?” I asked.

  “Eventually, not that he needed to. The truth was written all over his guilty face. He looked like a walking corpse by the time I finished skewering him.”

  At least with Sassy I knew that she didn’t mean actual skewering. With my family, I could never be too sure.

  “Her name is Jade. Can you believe it? Jade makes her sound like a cheap piece of jewelry. Have you ever heard such a ridiculous name?”

  I refrained from rolling my eyes. “No, Sassafras. I haven’t.”

  “I mean, it’s a stripper’s name!”

  “Is she a stripper?” Clara asked.

  “No, she’s an undertaker,” Sassy said.

  Clara and I exchanged surprised glances. “That’s an interesting choice,” I said.

  “Family business,” Sassy said.

  “How old is she?” Clara asked.

  “Twenty-five. She’s practically a child,” she said, waving an angry arm. “He says they’re in love. That they want to have kids right away.”

  Clara gripped her glass. “Do you think she’s pregnant?”

  “Who knows? Who cares? Let them have a freakin’ basketball team for all I care.” She waved her arm in the manner of every drunk person ever. “She won’t get any help raising them from him. Tanner is way too selfish. If I wanted to order out for dinner, he’d complain about not having a home-cooked meal. Newsflash Tanner—it’s the twenty-first century.”

  “His mother spoiled him rotten,” I said.

  “Maybe so, but at a certain point, Tanner is responsible for his own behavior.” Sassy’s arm swung wide and nea
rly knocked the drink from my hand. “Hey, there’s the chief. He’s single and incredibly hot.”

  Clara shot me an anxious look. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Sassy. You don’t want to rebound with the chief of police.”

  “Why not? I mean, I know he and Eden have a little flirtation going, but if they’re not going to act on it because of stupid FBI regulations, then why shouldn’t I throw my pom-pom on the field?”

  I hesitated. On the one hand, I didn’t want to risk word getting out that he and I were dating. On the other hand, the thought of Sassy putting the moves on him was nauseating, not that I thought the chief would reciprocate. He wasn’t Tanner. Far from it.

  “You’ve been drinking and ranting about Tanner,” Clara said. “This is supposed to be a girls’ night. Let’s stick with that.”

  “But check out his butt in those jeans.” She licked her plump lips. “I bet he has a spare set of handcuffs at home too.” She started to slide off the stool and nearly plummeted to the floor. My quick reflexes managed to catch her by the elbow and hold her steady.

  “Easy does it,” I said.

  “Wow, Eden. I never noticed how fast you could move. You’re like the Roadrunner.” Sassy laughed like it was the funniest thing ever. “Meep. Meep.”

  “Good evening, Eden.” I swiveled to see Hugh behind me. “May I have a word?”

  Hope flared that Hugh had good news about Nari. “Of course.”

  “Oh, Eden. You get all the guys,” Sassy complained loudly. “Except Tanner. But you can have him back now. He’s the worst.” She started yelling. “Extra! Extra! Read all about it. Tanner Hughes is the worst and he likes to use women’s deodorant!”

  I steered Hugh out of earshot, which wasn’t easy. “Anything?”

  “No. The woods and the parks were clear of her scent.”

  “Thanks.” I was both relieved and disappointed that the wolves hadn’t discovered any trace of Nari.

  “From your expression, I’m guessing there hasn’t been a break in the case,” he said.

  “Not yet. We checked with Mr. Takedo and I spoke with the Graces but nothing.”

  The werewolf inclined his head toward my friends. “I suppose this is how you regroup.”