Miss Frost Ices The Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 2)

by Kristen Painter

  I grabbed it and pushed the button.

  My mom’s face showed up. “Hi, honey. How are you?”

  It was really nice to see her. “I’m good. How are you?”

  “I’m just fine. Dad said you called earlier. I’m sorry I missed you.”

  “I’m sure he told you I caught the imp.”

  “He did. That’s great news. Good job.”

  “Thanks.” I waited expectantly. “Everything okay or did you just call to congratulate me?”

  “That, but also Dad said you wanted to talk to Aunt Martha. I’ve got her with me.”

  My aunt stuck her head into view and waved. “Hi, Jaynie.”

  “Hi, Aunt Martha. Thank you for the fudge. It’s been a big hit.” I didn’t bother telling her the imp hadn’t cared for it.

  “Oh good, I’m so glad. Would you like some more?”

  “I’d love some. And that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. My friend Delaney, she runs the sweet shop here in town, well, I gave her a piece of your fudge, and she just about lost her mind over it. She said she’d never tasted anything like it and begged me to ask you if you’d be willing to work out some kind of a deal that would allow her to sell it in her shop for the holidays. Also, she gave me explicit instructions to tell you that she’s pregnant and the fudge would make the baby happy.”

  Aunt Martha laughed. “Your friend sounds like a hoot. I’m tickled she liked it. But I can’t give away that recipe.”

  My mother rolled her eyes. “Even I don’t have that recipe.”

  “I’m aware. But maybe you could make the fudge and send it here through the Santa’s Bag? I mean, she could purchase it from you for whatever price the two of you work out. You could put the money towards…” I shrugged. My aunt didn’t need the money, so I wasn’t really sure what she’d use it for.

  “Ooo…” Her eyes lit up. “I could finally buy myself that Bosch oscillating power saw. It’s got a universal adapter plate, you know.”

  I didn’t, actually. I wasn’t even sure what a Bosch oscillating power saw was. Besides a saw, obviously. That oscillated. Did I mention my aunt had a thing for woodworking? “Why haven’t you bought it for yourself already?”

  “Well, I have one. But it’s not a Bosch.”

  “I see.”

  “No, you don’t. You’re giving me the same look your uncle does when I mentioned getting a new piece for my collection.” She waved her hand. “Every time I order a new tool, your uncle gives me the business about it. Says I have enough already. But how else am I supposed to get my projects done?”

  I shook my head like I completely sympathized. “What are you working on right now?”

  She smiled brightly. “I’m building a new coat rack for one of the employee lounges in the stuffed-animal division.”

  “That’s very kind of you. I’m sure they’ll love it.” I gently steered the conversation back to the fudge. “Does that mean you’ll make a few batches for her this December?”

  She pushed her wire-rimmed glasses back and squinted at me. “I’ll think about it. Give me a day or two, all right?”

  “All right. Thank you. I love you both, but now I must get back to work.”

  “You’re so industrious,” my mother crowed.

  Hah. If only she knew how much time off I’d taken because of this imp.

  They waved good-bye. “Love you!”

  “Love you too.” I pushed the button and disconnected the call.

  Then my cell phone rang. I answered. “Hi, Birdie. What’s up?”

  “You’re not going to believe this,” she whispered.

  She must have been at the sheriff’s department and didn’t want anyone to overhear. “What is it?”

  “I took the liberty of checking into Francine’s accounts—”

  “Okay.” Was that legal? I didn’t want to know.

  “She wired a large sum of money to someone in the Ukraine about two weeks ago. I did a search on that person, and they’re a dealer in Middle Eastern antiquities.”

  “You think that’s who she got the imp from?”

  “With more digging, I could prove it. I feel sure of that.”

  “Was there a deposit to her account that matched the sum she paid out? Or would have at least covered it?”

  “Like money being paid to her by a client? Not before or after. She bought that imp for herself. Not sure why, but that’s what it looks like on paper.”

  I knew why. This new information just confirmed it. “Hang on to this info. Make sure you have copies of everything. I have a feeling we’re going to need this very soon.”

  “You got it.”

  “Thanks for sharing it with me. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “You’re welcome, Princess.” She stopped whispering suddenly and said, “Oh, hi, Hank, what can I—”

  The line went dead. I laughed softly, and since I had work to get done, I put my head down and got to it. I could fill Greyson in on the money news tonight.

  By the end of the day I’d gotten most everything accomplished, including running through an inventory of the toy vehicles section with Kip while Juni handled the register. We were surprisingly low on tow trucks. Sure, trucks were always popular, but it was typically the construction stuff that went first.

  I said hi to Buttercup and Holly, then rode the elevator up with Juniper and Kip. Kip only had eyes for Juni, which made me want to poke her and point out that I’d been right about him having a crush on her. But that could wait until we disembarked.

  She and I got out, he said good-bye and went on up to his floor. As soon as the doors closed, I nudged her. “Told you.”

  “Told me what?”

  “Kip likes you. He gets moony eyes around you. How do you not see that?”

  “Because it doesn’t exist?” She stuck her tongue out at me, then changed the subject. “What are you doing tonight?”

  “Salvatore’s with Greyson. I’m in a pizza rut, but it’s a delicious one. After dinner, we’ll probably go for a little evening stroll.” That would cover me being out of the apartment later in case she checked.

  She stopped at her door as I stopped at mine. She got her key out. “Have fun. I’m giving myself a pedi and going to bed early with that new Deanna Chase book.”

  “Kinda jealous.” I opened my door. “Hey, we really need a girls’ night. And soon.”

  She nodded as she pushed her door open. “Agreed. Tomorrow night?”

  I thought about it. “I think I can swing that.”

  “Cool. Done. See you tomorrow.”

  I nodded. “See you tomorrow.”

  I just hoped it wasn’t from the inside of a cell.

  Corette called just as I finished giving Spider his dinner. “Hi, how are you?”

  “I’m very well, thank you. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  “Not at all. What’s on your mind?”

  “I know you’ve already caught the imp, and this little tidbit of information is probably pointless now, but I wanted to share something new that Pandora just discovered about the creatures.”

  “Cool, go ahead.”

  “Apparently, if you breathe on the inside of the box lid, the imp’s name should appear. Probably more than once, from what Pandora told me. When bored, they write their names over and over, but without some kind of assistance, the name stays invisible, which is what protects them.”

  “And breath would do it? Interesting. Not that I’m about to open that box again.”

  “That’s what she read. I suppose we’ll never know for sure, but we thought it was fascinating enough to want to share it with you.”

  “It is.” I laughed. “Do you think his name is all over the town, then?”

  “I don’t know. Based on how much trouble he caused, I don’t think he had a chance to be bored in Nocturne Falls.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  “Well, you enjoy your evening.”

  “You too, Corette.” I hun
g up and went to change out of my work clothes, the thought of what the imp’s name might be lingering. The creature’s name was the key to controlling him. Not something I was interested in, but I bet that tidbit would help with Francine.

  Which brought my mind back around to the evening’s impending activity.

  Greyson showed up with the pizza right on time, and as much as I loved Salvatore’s, my nerves had taken over. I stared at the hot, gooey pie in front of me…and felt nothing.

  I shook my head and looked up at him. “I can’t. I mean, I want to, but I have zero appetite.”

  He closed the box and nodded sympathetically. “It’s okay. We can eat later, after this is all over.”

  “Yeah.” But I was bummed. And not myself, which only added to my nerves. I wasn’t used to this kind of mixed-up, off-kilter feeling inside me.

  His brows lifted. “You need a distraction. We could go for a walk, do some people-watching. Or catch a movie. We could get more ice cream, although if you don’t have an appetite for pizza, I suspect you won’t have an appetite for that either. What do you feel like doing?”

  “Maybe we should go over the camera again. It’s hidden right? I thought I didn’t want to know where it was because I wouldn’t be able to stop looking at it, but now I feel like if you don’t show it to me, I won’t be able to stop looking for it.”

  He laughed and pointed to the snap on the pocket of his black leather jacket. “It’s right here.”

  “In the snap? I don’t see anything that looks like a camera lens.”

  “It’s just below it. Sticking out of the pocket.”

  I looked again and saw a small black knot right under the pocket flap. “That’s a camera?”

  He nodded. “And everything it records will be saved to my phone but also uploaded to a private account in the cloud.”

  “And your phone is fully charged?”

  He gave me a look.

  I held my hands up. “Just checking. Very cool.”

  “Feel better?”

  “I don’t know. I guess. I really wish we could get this thing over with now.”

  He slipped his arm around my waist. “I know.” He leaned his forehead against mine. “Do you want to go early? Catch her off guard maybe?”

  I pulled away to look at him. “Do you think we could? What if she’s not home?”

  “She’s always home.”

  “True.” I thought about it. “Yes. Let’s go now. But you won’t have the benefit of darkness to hide in. Is that going to be an issue?”

  He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. She’s going to see me at some point anyway. And you hold the cards. She either lets us both in or we walk away. With the imp. Right?”

  My confidence was coming back. “Right. Then we can get her confession on video, turn it in to the Ellinghams and be back here to eat this pizza before it even gets cold. Okay, I know that’s an exaggeration, but close.”

  He smiled. “Let’s get everything together and go to the Gresham manor, then.”

  “All right.” I’d already changed into shorts and a tank top after work, and since I wasn’t exactly going to have a business meeting with Francine, what I had on was just fine. I did add my leather jacket, though. The toughness of that made me feel better. Then I grabbed one of my cloth Shop-n-Save grocery bags and tucked the imp box into it after checking that the hair ties holding the lid on were secure. They were.

  I stuck my feet in my flip-flops, my keys and phone in my pocket, and hoisted the shopping bag over my shoulder. “I’m ready.”

  We walked out and rode downstairs, the silence between us contemplative, like we were both going over the possibilities of what might happen tonight. Which we probably were. I know I was.

  As we left the warehouse, Greyson took my hand. “It’s going to be okay.”

  I just nodded and answered with a tense smile. Francine was human. That should mean I had nothing to worry about. But supernatural-on-human crime was a huge no-no and a massive wash of anxiety filled me.

  He drove, parking a block away. He turned off the engine, then looked at me, throwing his arm over the seat. “It’s not like you to be so quiet. Are you that worried?”

  I stared through the windshield. “I am. I shouldn’t be maybe, but I’ve got a sense of dread I just can’t shake.”

  “Do you think it’s because of the business she’s in? Are you worried that she’s got some kind of artifact or object that she might use against us?”

  I took a breath. “Maybe.” I glanced at him. “Do you think that’s likely?”

  “Everything in her house is packed up. And if she had something that powerful, why wouldn’t she have used it when she came to see you in your office?”

  “Good point.” But the feeling remained even as we got out of the car. “Let’s go around back.”

  “Sure.”

  We cut through her side yard. The curtains were drawn, and there were a few lights on, but nothing to indicate which room she was in. My pulse picked up and my hands got sweaty. This was crazy. I was a powerful winter elf. She was human. There was nothing for me to be freaked out about.

  I tipped my head at Greyson. “Stay on the side, out of sight.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  I found my determination, marched right up her porch steps, and knocked on the door. He went to the right and stood flat to the wall. Unless Francine came outside, she’d never see him.

  It took her a while to answer, and when she finally came to the door, she was wiping her hands on a towel and seemed flustered. “You’re early. You said nine. It’s not even seven thirty.”

  “Do you want to do this or not?”

  She huffed out a breath before her mouth flattened into a thin, perturbed line. “Yes. Show me the box first.”

  I pulled it out of the shopping bag. Bringing the imp was dangerous, but without it, there was no way she’d have let me in.

  Francine nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

  “Agreed.” I got one foot in. “I brought a friend to keep things fair.”

  “Fair? What is that—” She recoiled at the sight of Greyson as he appeared behind me. “No. You’re not welcome in my house.”

  “He goes, I go. You’ve already proven you can’t be trusted, so if you don’t like my insurance policy, then this deal is off.”

  She scowled. “I can be trusted.”

  “Then there shouldn’t be an issue with him being here.” I was done discussing whether or not Greyson was staying. “Where do you want to do this?”

  “Do what?” She held out her hands. “Give me the box and I’ll give you the money.”

  “Yeah, no. We went over that already.” I stepped farther inside, enough that Greyson could come in as well.

  He did, shutting the door behind him.

  I hooked my thumb under the straps of the shopping bag at my shoulder. “I need to see the money. And count it.”

  She shook her head, but muttered, “Fine.” Then she pointed at Greyson. “Don’t touch anything while I’m gone. And both of you stay right here.”

  He held his hands up. “I’m not moving unless I have a reason to.”

  She humphed and scurried out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Probably going to her bedroom if I had to guess.

  I whispered, “Check for the crate.”

  He nodded and then seemed to disappear and reappear with a whoosh of air. It was just the speed at which he moved, but the effect was all the same. He nodded. “Still in the butler’s pantry.”

  “Good. She must be thinking she’s actually going to get to send it now.” And having the crate still there meant we had the upper hand when it came to questioning her. She was going to have to explain what that was all about, or she wasn’t getting near the imp.

  Well, she wasn’t getting near the imp regardless, but she didn’t know that yet.

  Footsteps announced her descent on the steps, and she returned, carrying an envelope. “Here.” She thrust it toward me.


  “Put it on the table.”

  She tossed the envelope, but her hand stayed out. “The box.”

  “First, a question.”

  She rolled her eyes. “One. That’s it. I have a life to get on with.”

  “I’m sure you do.” But I’d ask as many question as it took. “What were you planning to do with the imp?”

  Another exasperated sigh. “I already told you, it’s for a client. A client who’s as tired of waiting for it as I am.”

  I’d play along for a second. “What’s your client going to do with it?”

  “I don’t know, I don’t care, and I didn’t ask.” She wriggled her fingers. “Hand it over.”

  “You’re lying. There’s no client, is there?”

  She paled slightly, then regained her composure and bared her teeth at me. “Give me my property now.”

  “Greyson.”

  “Right back.” He did the disappearing and reappearing thing again, this time returning with the crate in his hands. He set it on the table in front of the money.

  I canted my head toward it. “The foam in this shipping crate exactly matches the size and shape of the imp’s box. But the mailing address belongs to your husband. I have a pretty good idea what you were planning to do.”

  She swallowed and took a step back. “I was mailing the imp on behalf of my client. You can’t prove anything else.”

  “Weird that your client would want the imp mailed to your ex-husband, don’t you think?” I shrugged, trying to disguise the frustration building inside me. I’d thought this was going to be a lot easier. That she’d gloat about her own cleverness and let slip everything we needed that way. Clearly, I’d been wrong. “If you tell us the truth, I’ll tell you the imp’s name. Wouldn’t that add a nice layer of mischief to whatever it is you want the imp to do?”

  Her eyes rounded. That had hit the mark. “I was mailing the imp for my client, who happens to be an old friend of my ex-husband’s.” She lifted her hand to her throat and clenched her fist as she drew out the words slowly. Like I was an idiot who needed to be spoon-fed.

  “I don’t believe you. And you’re not getting the imp until you tell me your end game. It’s that simple.”