by Diane Bator
"Sensei Mick! I'm great." Marion flung her arms in the air and waved as she shouted. "How are you? Are your ears fixed yet?"
Gilda covered her eyes with one hand. "She's a little out of it. Let me get her to Doc, then you and I can—"
Razi took the plastic bag from her and put his arm around Marion. "You stay with Sensei Mick. He needs to know what is going on. I will take Marion to see Doc."
"Good idea." Gilda had known Doctor Ryan Graham, Doc to all of Sandstone Cove, since the day she was born and literally fell into his arms. "You're right. You take care of Marion. I'll fill him in on what's happened. "
Mick frowned. "Why does that sound so ominous the way you say it?"
"Don't worry, it's not." Gilda grabbed his arm. "It's okay, Razi. We'll stay too. I need to know what's going on."
"Then I will tell you later." He shrugged.
Gilda glanced from Mick to Marion before she sighed. "I need to stay. Just give me a few minutes to talk to Mick, and then I'll be right in. Marion needs us both."
Razi smiled. "Of course, I understand."
"Wait." Marion called after them. "I still have some of that awesome water left in the bottle if you want it."
Razi spun her around once more. "I think you should give that bottle to the doctor to examine. We do not want Gilda to become ill as well."
"Oh." She pointed a finger at his chin. "That's such a good idea. I'm sure Doc would like some too. He's probably thirsty."
"We'll be back in a few minutes. I'll grab you a tea, Razi." Mick chuckled as he draped an arm across Gilda's shoulders. He walked Gilda toward Café Beanz, pausing as they passed the beach.
"Whatever Marion drank was meant for me," Gilda blurted out. "Someone left that water bottle on my desk, and Marion grabbed it after class the other night."
Mick blinked. "Excuse me? I've only been gone a week. What did you get into now?"
She filled him in on Miss Claudia's murder and the town hall meeting. "There're a lot of ties between Miss Claudia and the Vines family, but I have no idea what the link is or if it even matters."
"Um, yeah." He scratched his head. "How many times has Fabio asked you to stay out of this particular investigation?"
Gilda winced. "A few."
Mick ran a hand through his dark hair then pulled her into a hug. "Babe, you are one smart lady, but I swear you don't think these things through."
"Sure I do. I start with the victim and find all the people who could have wanted them dead, then—"
He closed his eyes. "What I mean is, your best friend was just drugged by a drink she says was meant for you, and you just carry on like nothing is out of the ordinary. Gilda, what if you'd been the one to drink from that bottle?"
She stared. "What do you mean?"
"What if you'd finished class and drank the whole bottle?" he asked. "Marion's a lot bigger than you. What if the dose was enough to make Marion tipsy but could have killed you?"
Gilda gazed out toward the lake and blinked back tears. "I need to go back to the hospital and make sure she's okay."
Mick smiled, kissing her nose. "That's what a good friend would do. I think she needs you right now. I'll go get us coffees. Then we can go to your place once she's at home resting."
"I missed you so much." Her voice crackled. "This isn't the kind of reception you were supposed to come back to."
He pulled her close. "To be honest, I always look forward to hearing what you've been up to. I can't say I'm always happy about it, but my life is certainly never boring with you around."
Gilda slipped her arms around his waist. "I'm not quite sure how to take that."
"No problem." He kissed her. "You have time to think it over while you wait. You'd better get back to Marion. Razi may need saving about now."
"True enough."
Once she joined them at the hospital, Razi went to find Doc while Gilda kept Marion company and patted her arm. "Are you okay?"
Marion released a slow sigh. "Better. All I remember is seeing that needle lying on the counter, then…" Her eyes rolled back.
Gilda held her upright. "Yeah, well, at least you didn't fall on Randy."
She snorted. "Yeah, I might have squashed that poor little leprechaun."
"Probably." Gilda chuckled. "I'm sure he would have had it coming, though."
"Of course he would have. He's a creepy little thing." Marion sat up straighter. "I need a cookie or some candy. Sugar would be helpful in my condition."
"And what condition is that?" Razi sat next to her.
"I'm in shock," Marion said. "I could die."
Gilda covered her mouth to keep from bursting into laughter.
"I see. Then it is best we deal with that straight away." He nodded, his expression solemn, and handed her a mint from his pocket. "This is all I have for now. I could run out and get you something different. What would you like?"
Marion blinked then smiled as she picked the candy from his hand. "Honey, I would love one of those sticky buns from Café Beanz. Right after I throw up some more."
Gilda handed her the extra paper bag Randy had given her.
Razi gagged and turned away before he ran from Marion's side into the nearest washroom.
Gilda huffed. "Figures. The guy's probably seen more blood and gore than we ever will, but he can't handle this."
Once Marion had finished vomiting, Razi returned. He placed a hand on her shoulder and a wet wad of paper towel on her forehead. "Are you better now?"
"Yeah. A bit." Marion leaned her head back against the wall. "I sure would like one of those sticky buns, though."
Razi smiled. "Your wish is my command. I will ask Mick to get you a sticky bun while he is out. Would you like something as well, Gilda?"
"I'm good, thanks. Did you find Doc?"
"Yes. He will take care of Marion shortly." He flashed a smile. "I will go speak to a nurse then return as soon as I can. Are you okay in the meantime?"
As he walked away, Marion sighed, the wet piece of paper towel stuck to her forehead as she let it go and gazed after him. "Now there's a man who looks fine in tight blue jeans. How's a woman supposed to keep her hands off him in public?"
"Sounds like your shock is starting to wear off."
"Good." Marion pulled the paper towel off her forehead and raked her fingers through her hair. "I'd sure hate for anything to mess up our second date. He's taking me to the new James Bond movie. I've been looking forward to seeing it for a long time."
Gilda hesitated. "Did you at least find out anything while you were asking questions?"
She raised a single eyebrow. "You mean aside from the fact I hate needles and leprechauns?"
"Randy isn't that bad."
"You don't know that." She scowled. "He could have tattooed me with poisoned ink."
"He loves his job and his business. He'd never poison anyone, especially someone under the influence of anything."
"Are you sure?" Marion didn't seem convinced. "You do know leprechauns are actually evil, don't you? That's why they hoard gold."
"You do realize Randy's not a real leprechaun, right?"
"Have you ever actually seen a leprechaun?" she asked. "With those beady eyes, bushy hair, and stubby legs, he could be one."
Gilda shrugged. "Okay, maybe, about as much as Aislin could be a fairy, but I don't think he's an evil leprechaun."
"So you say," she huffed. "The guy never took after you with a needle."
"Actually…"
Marion shrieked. "You let that little freak give you a tattoo, didn't you?"
Gilda bowed her head and turned the tattoo on her leg toward Marion. "It was the only way I could get him to talk to me about Miss Claudia."
She narrowed her eyes. "At least it's tasteful. I was afraid he'd draw a naked girl or something cheesy. What did Mick say about it?"
"He hasn't seen it yet."
Marion winced. "Did you at least tell him about it?"
"Um…not really."
"What
is wrong with you, woman?" she asked. "Flash that man some leg."
Gilda nudged her. "He's only been back in town for a few minutes. I thought I'd wait to show him during our date tonight."
Marion gagged. "That sounds like a great idea. Do you think they have some juice? I'd really like some juice."
"I don't think that's a good idea. I'm not so sure you can keep anything in your stomach yet." Gilda patted her arm. "Why don't you wait until Doc checks you out?"
She stuck out her lower lip then reached for the bucket someone had given her and vomited again. "Maybe you're right."
Doc called Marion into an examination room seconds after Razi returned with a paper bag from Cafe Beanz. Marion had taken one look at the bag and gagged. "Maybe the sticky bun isn't such a good idea right now."
"That is okay." Razi helped her to her feet. "I will save it for you for later."
Gilda grabbed Marion's other arm and walked her into the examination room so Doc could give her a thorough checkup. After a few minutes, he asked the nurse to take both blood and urine samples and to take the water bottle and both vomit bags for testing as well. While the nurse drew Marion's blood with Razi holding her to the table, Doc pulled Gilda out of the room and shot her a stern look.
"What do you think made her so sick?" Gilda asked.
"I'm not going to hazard a guess. I'd rather wait for the lab results," Doc said. "In the meantime, I want her to drink lots of fluids and get some rest. Can you tell me who gave her the water bottle?"
She leaned against the wall. "She got the bottle off my desk at the martial arts school. When she drank it earlier, apparently she started to act like she was drunk. Luckily, Razi and I found her when we did."
Doc nodded, his jaw tight. "Are you saying someone tried to poison you, only Marion took the dose by accident?"
"Yes. I guess that's exactly what I'm saying. Who would want to do such a thing?"
"That was going to be my next question." He led her to a chair down the hall. "You do know I have an obligation to call the police, right?"
"I guessed that." She blinked away tears. "Couple that with their investigation of Miss Claudia's murder and…"
Doc frowned. "And the killer has now added attempted murder to the list."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Mick brought back two coffees and a tea into the waiting room shortly after Doc cleared Marion to go home to rest. He helped Gilda and Razi bring her home then left with Razi to the school for classes.
Marion curled up on one end of the couch with a thick blanket. "Mick didn't seem very happy. Is he mad we're trying to find Miss Claudia's killer?"
"Yeah. Probably."
She snorted. "Geez, you think he'd get used to that."
Gilda cringed. "I guess that's not what he bargained for when he asked me out, was it?"
Marion closed her eyes and yawned. "No, but at least you're cute."
"And you need some rest." Gilda stood and made sure Marion had her phone handy, as well as a large glass of water. "I have to go to work. I'll lock your door on my way out then stop by later to check on you."
"Deal. Just don't make any noise. I'll be sleeping."
Gilda gave her a hug. "You got it. Just as long as you don't go back to see Randy."
Marion snorted. "No problem. I don't want to see any more leprechauns or fairies."
Town hall closed at five. She glanced at the clock then grabbed her purse and wandered to Mick's office. She was about to knock on his door when he opened it. "Sorry I'm late. I was getting Marion settled. Before classes, I thought I'd go—"
He pecked her cheek then walked around his desk and gathered some papers together. "Sorry, Sherlock. I have to run to make it to that meeting with Gary. He got the call from his investor. The guy he has lined up has time to meet with us right now."
She stared. "Are you sure about this? I didn't realize the school needed any more investors."
"This is a great opportunity." Mick paused. "If we can make a healthy profit with this school, he's willing to back us on a second school."
"A second school? Where?"
He lunged toward her for another fast kiss. "Those are the kinds of details we need to discuss at this meeting. I'll be back in a couple hours. Hold down the fort for me, will you, babe?"
"Yeah. No problem."
He stopped to give her a hug. "Don't look so worried. I promise I'll be back in time for our date tonight. I'll pick up something you love."
Before she could object, Mick left, letting the door close behind him. She sat back in her chair and groaned. Her trip to town hall would have to wait.
"Okay." Unconvinced, she returned to her desk and typed in the address for the fabric shop. All that came up was the cheery pink page for the On Pins and Needles fabric shop. She searched websites for the local historical society as well as for the town of Sandstone Cove. All links concerning the building on Armadillo Street led back to Malcolm Vines and Miss Claudia.
Gilda sat back and sighed, suddenly feeling no further ahead.
* * *
It turned out Mick not only stood her up after class that night, but all of her texts to him went unanswered. The longer she waited to hear from him, the shorter her temper became until finally the last student left the building, and she slammed her purse on the desk.
Kane leaned on the front desk. "You okay, love?"
She rubbed her forehead with both hands. "I'm fine, just tired."
The lights went out one by one before Razi came around the corner and dropped his duffel bag on the floor. "Yes, it has been a very long day."
Kane nodded. "Tell me about it. Between teaching here and running the rock shop, I'm ready to drop. I still have to call Aislin and see how her day went. Maybe I'll see if she wants to meet for coffee or something."
"Yes. I should check on Marion as well," Razi said.
"Me too." Gilda yawned. "I told her I'd stop by on my way home."
Razi nodded. "It would be a good idea for us to go together. She seemed to be very angry when she called between classes. When I suggested we take in a movie and go for dinner this weekend, she seemed happy with that."
Kane grinned. "Oh, man, she's already got you tied to her little finger."
"That is not true. I am merely concerned with her welfare after we took her to the hospital earlier." Razi turned to Gilda. "I thought Sensei Mick was here to teach tonight. Where is he?"
"I don't know." Gilda sighed. "He said he was going to ask you to cover classes because he and I had plans for tonight, but it seems he got tied up in a meeting with Gary and one of his friends who wants to invest in a new school."
Kane waved a hand as he headed toward the door. "Nah, that meeting ended a while ago."
Gilda stared after him. "It did? How do you know that?"
"He called about an hour ago while you were in the washroom to say he wouldn't be back until later tonight and asked me to make sure you got home safe." He winced. "I take it he didn't call you after that."
"Nope, not even a text."
"That's not a wise move." Kane glanced to Razi. "I'll lock up, Raz. Can you make sure Gilda gets home?"
Razi nodded. He took Gilda by the elbow and led her to the door. "Yes. We can go see Marion first. Then I will walk her home.”
"That sounds like a good idea." Gilda swallowed back her hurt. "Did Mick say where he was or when he'd be back?"
"No." Kane was too quick to answer. "Sorry, love."
"That's odd he didn't call me. I would have understood." Sort of.
He shrugged. "Something must have come up, and he didn't want to worry you."
"Is that supposed to make me feel any better? Because it doesn't." Gilda folded her arms across her chest. She jumped when a sparkling, light-colored car pulled alongside them and the driver lowered the window.
"Hey, guys." Aislin waved. "Looks like we're all done for the night at the same time. Anyone want to go for dinner? We could go to that cute little Greek place near the marina."
Gilda couldn't help but gawk at the sparkles on the side of Aislin's car. "I'm good. I'm just going to chat with Marion then head home."
"Sounds good. I'm in. I just need to lock up." Kane patted the hood of her car. "Save me a seat. I'll be there soon."
Aislin's face lit up. "Jump in. I'll give you all a ride."
Kane grinned and locked the door of the karate school. "Sure."
Razi shook his head. "No, thank you. I am going with Gilda to see Marion.”
"Are you sure you don't want to join us?" Aislin asked. "I could give you all a ride. This car is bigger than it looks."
Kane winced. "Come on, Gilda. Maybe you should come and hang out with us for a while. You can tell Mick to meet us there."
"I'm good. Thanks." Gilda turned to Kane. "Just go ahead. Razi and I will be fine."
He shook his head. "Maybe, but if anything happens to you, Mick won't be happy."
Aislin smiled. "I'll see you both later."
Once Aislin drove the glittering car away, Razi met Gilda's gaze. "Are you sure you are okay? You seem upset."
Gilda blew out a long breath. "I just wish Mick would have called."
Razi placed a hand on her shoulder. "So do I. Would you like me to straighten him out when he comes back?"
"No, that's okay. I'll call him later." She forced a smile. "Let's make sure Marion hasn't done anything silly while we were at work."
Marion answered her door wrapped in a thick blanket. "Oh wow. I didn't think you'd both come over. I mean, I was hoping you would, but…"
Razi motioned to Gilda to go inside ahead of him then closed the door once they were both inside. "I hope you are feeling better."
"Now that I've thrown up everything I've eaten most of my adult life, I'm fine." Marion reddened. "Sorry. I guess that was kind of rude."
Gilda hugged her. "I'm just glad you're feeling better. I have no idea who would put anything in my water bottle. It's not like anyone's got a grudge against me."
Marion shrugged. "Not unless you count our friendly neighborhood psychic."
"Why would you say that?" Razi asked.
"Are you serious?" Marion asked, hugging her blanket closer. "Aislin has her eyes on Kane. Gilda is one of Kane's good friends. Maybe she just wanted to make Gilda look bad." She grabbed the back of a nearby chair. "I need to sit. I'm still pretty lightheaded."
