Unsuspecting Trouble (The Inscrutable Paris Beaufont Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

  Willow gulped. “Really? Nothing? Like, maybe we could at least set up an emergency fund for them. Some way to help them out if things get dire.”

  It was thankfully Christine who cut in for Paris, keeping her from having to sound like the heartless devil. “No, I’ve heard about something related to this. If a person has a backup plan or a Plan B or a safety net, well, they don’t pull out all the stops. Rose and McGregor have to think the entire bottom has been pulled out from under them. Only then will they believe they have no options and get desperate.”

  “And by desperate, you mean?” Chef Ash pulled the pencil from behind his ear and eyed her.

  “I mean, they drop the ego act and start using their hearts,” Christine said victoriously.

  Paris was grateful that her friend was on this mission with her. Christine’s rebellious spirit was exactly what they needed. It would ensure they were closer to success because it was about breaking down the walls around one’s heart, and unfortunately, the ego created the toughest barriers.

  “It’s true,” Paris affirmed. “So we have to destroy their companies. Then they’ll fall into each other’s arms…hopefully.”

  “They will.” Christine injected confidence into her words.

  “So how do we destroy their companies?” Mae Ling asked while reading through the report.

  “That was my question too,” Chef Ash mused. “Do we blow them up? Or bomb them somehow? The whole endeavor, I’m sorry to sound conservative, sounds very deceptive and mean.”

  Paris nodded. “It is. Although that’s not my specialty, it is something I think I can manage. But no explosives if we do it right. I think a few well-placed pieces of information is all we need. In this day and age, you don’t need to throw rocks to hurt people. Only information.” She turned and grinned at the butler. “That’s where you come in, Wilfred.”

  Chapter Nine

  “I’m not aware of how I can aid in this part of the plan.” Wilfred’s gaze fell to one of the reports on the desk. “Actually, I’m not certain how I can aid in any of it.”

  “You’re the master of information,” Paris argued. “If anyone knows something, it’s you.”

  “Although I’m in total agreement, that’s because I’m connected to all public domains globally,” Wilfred stated.

  “Exactly,” Paris agreed triumphantly. “I think that if you can access these databases to get information, it’s simply a matter of reverse engineering to have you plant information.”

  Christine’s mouth popped open. “No way. You’re not thinking?”

  Paris nodded and pulled out the instructions Faraday had sketched for her that morning before fixing the messaging on her phone.

  The headmistress glanced between Christine and Paris, confusion heavy on her face. “I’m not following you. What is it you’re not thinking? Or rather, are thinking?”

  “I asked my friend who has experience with magitech AIs about this,” Paris began, giving Willow and Mae Ling knowing looks.

  Both nodded, apparently inferring that she was referring to Faraday, the talking squirrel they rescued from the Serenity Garden.

  She smoothed out the piece of paper, which the squirrel had filled with equations and diagrams. “Apparently, it is very possible for Wilfred to be able to hack into various news sources and plant seemingly legitimate stories.”

  “Did you say ‘hack’?” Willow swayed as if she might suddenly pass out.

  “Think of it more as using a back door,” Christine offered, giddy with excitement.

  “Is this door locked?” Willow questioned.

  Paris handed the instructions to Wilfred, returning her focus to Willow. “It’s firmly shut. How about that?”

  “I know that being open to new strategies is important,” Willow began. “And this situation is more complex than one of our normal cases, but I’m starting to reconsider this approach.”

  “Change is difficult, and Paris definitely is challenging us in that regard,” Mae Ling argued. “It was her idea to gather the covert information used to craft this plan. Sneaking into corporations and sabotaging them isn’t something a fairy godmother does—”

  “Ever,” Wilfred interrupted tersely.

  “I understand that,” Mae Ling said flatly. “But also, it was a fairy godmother who got us in this situation, and she was relying on old ways that obviously didn’t work. Although the idea of hacking and bringing down companies feels wrong, it is a means to an end that will bring about more love worldwide. We must ask ourselves if it’s permissible to destroy one or two things to build something better in its place. I think the answer has to be yes.”

  “Okay, so back to the strategy.” Willow let out a long breath. “These news stories…”

  Paris nodded. “We would be leaking the information Christine and I learned about when under cover. For Rose Industries, we’d reveal they have inhumane working conditions and have failed to comply with strict standards in the factory.”

  “Is that true?” Willow asked, her eyes widening.

  “Well, it’s a rumor,” Paris stated. “What we do know is that Rose Industries did sprout up overnight and Amelia is very new as a leader. It wouldn’t be hard to believe that some special considerations to working conditions were overlooked on the path to take over the industry from Grayson.”

  Willow shook off the uncomfortable look brewing under the surface. “Very well. And this claim?”

  “Well, if planted on legitimate news sources, it would effectively ruin Rose Industries,” Paris stated.

  “Not only from a reputation perspective,” Chef Ash began. “There would be an investigation, and that could close things down for a while. If found in violation, the company’s doors would be closed. Even if not, it would still tarnish public perception.”

  “Yes, unfortunately, rarely is a verdict remembered but rather the allegations,” Mae Ling added.

  “And for McGregor Technologies?” Willow asked, sounding heavy still, the guilt already weighing on her.

  “That one is more of a leak and less of a supposed allegation,” Paris stated. “When we were undercover, we learned that McGregor Technologies has some products with faulty wiring that have been linked to fires.”

  “So we have to expose this information,” Chef Ash said victoriously. “Then the company would be tied up in so many legal battles that it would take forever for it to recover.”

  “The hope is that both CEOs decide to throw in the towel and start over,” Paris stated.

  “But together,” Christine offered.

  “Well, that will take more planning, but first we start with taking down the two companies,” Paris imparted. “That’s Phase One.”

  The headmistress gave the butler a look of hesitation. “Wilfred? Is it possible for you to…” She swallowed, appearing very uncomfortable. “Is it possible to hack into new sources and plant this information?”

  The AI blinked at the crinkled piece of paper and then glanced at Paris. “Your friend…the one…he gave you this?”

  Paris nodded, keeping her gaze away from the others. Although Willow and Mae Ling knew about Faraday and Hemingway did too, Chef Ash and Christine didn’t. Paris didn’t think that broadcasting the information would be very good. She felt that she was already taking advantage of the headmistress’ good nature by having the squirrel there on the grounds of Happily Ever After College.

  “He appears to understand my inner workings,” Wilfred stated.

  “Who is this character?” Christine asked. “He sounds smart. Is he cute?”

  “A-freaking-dorable,” Paris joked, laughing.

  “I think that using these instructions, I could hack into major news sources,” Wilfred stated at once. “If you all can supply me with the stories you want planted there.”

  “I’ve already written them up.” Paris retrieved another two pieces of folded paper from her leather jacket.

  “Do you ever sleep, woman?” Christine asked in surprise.

&
nbsp; Paris shook her head. “Not really. Not anymore.” She passed them across the desk to the headmistress.

  Willow scanned the first page before glancing at the second one. “This is well written and will leave most scrutinizing both organizations heavily.”

  She handed them to Wilfred, who didn’t read them, but rather folded them up and slid them into his jacket pocket.

  “I don’t see any reason the source of the articles will come under scrutiny,” Mae Ling stated. “Especially if we use a bit of spell work to keep people from asking.”

  “Does that mean you’re volunteering for that job?” Willow asked hopefully.

  “Of course,” the other fairy godmother answered.

  “And my job in all this?” Chef Ash inquired.

  “I figured we could put your construction skills to work.” Paris indicated the back of the report. “Do you think you’d be up for something like that?”

  Chef Ash flipped to the back page of the report, and his eyes widened with delight. “Up for it? This is like a dream come true. When can I start?”

  “Well, we’re not there yet,” Paris stated. “The first step is to bring down the companies.”

  Christine flipped through the report. “Then we have to break Amelia and Grayson up with their fiancés.”

  Mae Ling nodded, smiling slightly. “Then we put them together and let love take over.”

  Willow sighed with relief. “I think this could work. It isn’t something that makes me feel comfortable as a whole, but I like that it has the potential not just to bring love but also a better future for many. When two people who are supposed to be together find each other, I believe they become better versions of themselves. Then they make the world better.”

  “Sadly, when they aren’t with each other, they have the opposite impact.” Mae Ling glanced at the love meter.

  Paris needed this plan to work. Not only because it was her plan and so many were relying on her unorthodox and rebellious approach. But because the lower the love meter got, the more difficult it would be to recover. For some reason, she instinctively knew that.

  Chapter Ten

  The Enchanted Grounds were unsurprisingly the perfect spring temperature with a gentle breeze that carried notes of lilac and vanilla. Paris held her chin up and sucked in a full breath, grateful to finally be able to get outside after the long morning.

  For a girl who grew up on a cobbled lane in the middle of London, she didn’t realize how much nature made her feel better. Being around trees and flowers that grew in the ground instead of in pots gave her a peacefulness she’d never known.

  At the greenhouse where Hemingway usually taught the Magical Plants class, Paris found the building empty and a note on the door. It read,

  We’re meeting at the stables today. Find your way down there, but try to be quiet. – Hemingway

  Going down to the stables filled Paris with sudden dread, taking over from the euphoric feelings she’d had moments prior. The last time she’d seen a horse at Happily Ever After College was on her first day when one tried to trample her, and she climbed her first tree. She enjoyed the climbing part but could have done without the whole nearly run over one. Since then, horses hadn’t been a part of any of her interests at the college.

  It wasn’t until the second or third year that the students were apparently required to take equestrian studies. The idea that it was mandatory was further perplexing to Paris. However, she didn’t understand most of the curriculum so this was another point of confusion that she’d no doubt argue against.

  The class was gathered around the red barn when Paris made it down to the area behind the Serenity Garden. That area was still off-limits and under construction after Faraday’s adventures there. Mirror Lake sat on the other side of the stables and lived up to its name nicely, reflecting the puffy clouds overhead and as placid as an actual mirror.

  When Paris poked her head into the crowd, Hemingway cleared his throat softly and murmured, “Today we’re studying magical creatures and their importance in the eco-culture of our grounds as well as outside the bubble that’s Happily Ever After College.”

  Paris searched the grounds, expecting to see one of the neat hummingbird hawk moths that she and Hemingway had spied recently. They were rare, and like the deadly nightshade, their appearance had been a surprise. For whatever reason, new things had been popping up at the college and Paris had the creeping feeling it had something to do with her. Hemingway had said as much.

  “I had you all meet me at the stables,” Hemingway began, “because it’s a safe distance from the lake and I plan to bait a creature who lives there. She is fascinating and devilishly helpful in maintaining the health and balance of Mirror Lake. However, she’s also very dangerous.”

  At this, many of the girls broke into tense whispers and glanced toward the water.

  Hemingway held up his hands to pause them. “Do not worry. I know many of you boat and swim in the lake, which is fine. My little friend who lives at the bottom doesn’t desire to nibble on you as long as I keep her fed. She spends most of her time asleep. To be honest, she doesn’t prefer to feast on fairies. They are apparently too sweet. Give her a magician though, and she might change her mind.” Hemingway’s gaze connected with Paris’. “So it probably goes without saying that someone in particular should stick to swimming in the pools and not the lake.”

  Noted, Paris thought, a shiver running down her back. She hadn’t spent any time swimming anywhere since arriving at Happily Ever After College, and there was a very specific reason—she didn’t know how.

  Unsurprisingly, growing up on Roya Lane offered zero opportunities for swimming. However, she had played with the idea of putting her feet in Mirror Lake a time or two and was glad that she’d abandoned it, not wanting to unlace her combat boots. Most things were about practicality for Paris. The notion there was something—a female—in the lake that might want to take a bite of her because she was a magician was perplexing.

  “Why magicians?” Paris whispered, needing to know.

  Hemingway grinned at her. “My friend says that magicians are nice and salty. That’s a staple to her diet as she prefers to feast on kelp and other types of seaweed when not eating meat.”

  That produced a lot of excited chatter. Hemingway held up his hand. “Let’s try and keep it down. My friend won’t show up if it’s loud, which is another reason why she usually would leave you all alone. I’m not sure any of you ladies stop talking for a moment when near the lake or anywhere else.”

  This earned a few giggles.

  “Now, as some of you know,” Hemingway continued. “Mirror Lake is actually a saltwater pond, and the reason is that it gives us access to many special magical species. My friend—Moira—is one of them.”

  Hemingway reached down into a bucket that was beside him and retrieved a bloody piece of red meat. “Thanks to Chef Ash, we have a nice raw rump roast, which should be a nice treat for Moira, although she gets most of her nutrition eating fish and sea vegetation. Without her, the biggest predator in Mirror Lake, it would be overrun with small fish, disrupting the balance. So, as you can see, you need a big fish in a little pond. Now let’s meet this fish.”

  Hemingway tossed the slab of meat through the air, and it landed in the water with a splash, creating ripples in the once placid water. The blood from the beef seeped out immediately, creating a weird sight.

  Everyone watched silently, most seeming to hold their breath before they laid their eyes on Moira—the mysterious sea creature. Paris couldn’t fathom what fish could communicate, lived in saltwater, and preferred magicians over fairies to eat.

  When the head of what appeared to be a hideous woman popped out of the water, it all made sense.

  Of course, Paris thought. Moira was a mermaid.

  There were several gasps from the crowd as the mermaid grabbed the hunk of meat and sank her razor-sharp, pointy teeth into it. She rolled over on her back, most of her midsection in water still as
her emerald green fin splashed on the surface. As though ravenously hungry, the half-woman, half-fish, tore into the meat as she continued to float on her back.

  Mermaids weren’t the pretty little picture that Disney had painted for young girls. They appeared hungry and violent and ugly. Moira had green hair that draped over her face like she was wearing a mop of seaweed on the top of her head. Her eyes were large slits and mostly black. The mermaid had sharp, high cheekbones and pale skin, and she had apparently skipped Cotillion classes since she ate the meat like a hungry dog.

  “By now, you’ve guessed that Moira is a mermaid,” Hemingway said in a low voice. “They’re known for being very territorial, the downfall to most sailors on the open seas and blood-hungry. However, they also have a venom that can be used in powerful potions with varying useful purposes.” He held up his arm to show a rather gruesome wound. “Although their bite is quite painful and can be deadly if not treated quickly.”

  “She bit you?” a girl asked.

  “I thought you said they wouldn’t harm us,” another student said, sounding fearful.

  “I have no reason to believe that Moira is the least bit interested in you,” Hemingway stated. “I got too close during feeding. All is forgiven now. Like I said, she does an excellent job of keeping Mirror Lake tidy. Also, she’s very helpful at retrieving things for us from the bottom of the lake. That was our agreement if we didn’t dive to get it ourselves. We stay out of her home and she gets us things we need. Remember, mermaids are territorial, and the bottom of Mirror Lake is strictly her domain.” Hemingway laughed and winked. “So don’t go down there unless you want her raving mad at you. Moira has a temper that would make a minotaur look like a puppy dog.”

  The class laughed.

  Hemingway picked up a book lying in the grass beside him. “By now you all should have a copy of Magical Creatures, the most complete guide on these types of animals, written by Bermuda Laurens. She is the premier expert on magical creatures and constantly updates the book as she furthers her research. This is a valuable resource, and as the famous Hemingway said, ‘There is no friend as loyal as a book.’”