A Hex for Danger

by Esme Addison

  Alex laughed. “I thought you already were at that level.”

  The mayor was making his rounds, shaking hands and laughing boisterously like a tiny hurricane. He stopped by their group and engaged Dylan in a conversation about having Wesley sponsor a new initiative, when another man joined them. This man, who had been at Dylan’s side earlier when he was with Neve, smiled by way of greeting.

  He was a few inches shorter than Dylan’s six foot two, fit and with a full but neatly trimmed brown beard that covered a tanned face. He had gray eyes that contrasted with thick dark eyebrows and a cap of cropped brown curls. He wore a baby-blue summer suit with an open-collared pale blue shirt underneath. Although the mayor continued to monopolize Dylan’s time, the newcomer introduced himself to Alex.

  “I’m Bryce. Greenberg.” He winked at Celeste, who smiled politely in return. “We’ve met in passing.” He handed Alex his business card.

  She took it without reading it. “New in town?”

  He nodded but stopped when there was another peal of laughter from Neve.

  “She’s having a good time,” Alex observed.

  Celeste exhaled loudly. “Why doesn’t she just leave town? The mural is done.”

  Alex looked from Celeste to Neve in surprise, and then saw that Neve had a hand on Jasper’s arm—and that he seemed quite pleased with the attention.

  “Excuse me while I get my boyfriend.” Celeste took a deep, hopefully calming breath before stalking across the room.

  “Well now,” Bryce said with an amused grin, “are we about to see a catfight?”

  She looked at him. “That’s not nice. She’s obviously upset.”

  “I know.” His cheeks turned pink. “I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

  Bryce continued to chat with her, but Alex was more interested in what Celeste was doing. She analyzed her body language, noting the clenched fists and the tight set of her jaw. And the more Jasper talked to Neve, the more upset Celeste seemed to get.

  Bryce asked her something, and she asked him to repeat himself.

  “I asked you what brought you to town. I can tell from your lack of a Southern accent that you’re not from around here.”

  “Oh … sorry.” She told him briefly how she’d come to be in town, but stopped when she saw something she couldn’t quite believe. The roof directly over Neve had begun to drip water. Only a little bit, but enough for Neve to notice, pat her hair, and step out of the way. And Celeste had done it! Alex couldn’t be sure, but the determined look on Celeste’s face and a slight twitch of her fingers …

  I saw that, Alex sent to Celeste.

  Saw what? Celeste asked, her tone innocent, even telepathically.

  You know what, Alex said.

  There was a pause and then Celeste replied, I just want her to leave town. That’s all.

  Behave, Alex admonished. This type of behavior is beneath you.

  Meanwhile, Bryce was still talking. “Dylan mentioned that you work at the apothecary in town. You’ll have to tell me about it sometime.”

  Alex looked at the man. Was he trying to pick her up or just making conversation? He was cute, but she wasn’t interested. She gave him a tight smile. “Sure.”

  She kept her eye on Celeste, who grabbed Jasper by the hand, indicating that he should follow her. Which he did. They went down a hall marked “Staff Only,” and Alex turned back to Bryce. But he was already gone, probably fed up with her lack of engagement.

  She looked down at the card in her hand. It read “Bryce Greenberg, CEO/Founder Tarheel Defense. Protecting the peace … so you don’t have to.”

  Huh, Alex thought as she scanned the room and found Bryce at Dylan’s side. They were deep in conversation while Tegan, flanked by Tobias and Montgomery, looked on approvingly. Alex reread the card. It had a Greensboro, North Carolina, address. Never heard of him or his business, she thought with a shrug. And placed the card in her purse.

  When Celeste didn’t return after a few minutes, Alex was concerned. Despite the sign that read “Staff Only,” she walked down the hall and heard voices. Celeste was yelling, and it sounded like Jasper was trying to calm her down. They were in Jasper’s office, with the door shut. Alex rested her forehead against the cool wall, eyes closed, trying to hear what was being said.

  Clearly, Celeste thought more was going on between Neve and Jasper. And then Alex heard a smacking sound and a gasp. Had Celeste slapped Jasper? The door flew open, and Celeste ran down the hall and back to the reception, without looking backward, without seeing Alex standing there. Several museum patrons were standing by and had clearly heard at least part of the argument.

  Alex returned to the reception, hoping to find Celeste. She needed to talk to her, big sister to little sister. No way did she need to be acting this way over a man. But a quick scan of the room showed Celeste was nowhere to be found. Maybe she went outside to calm down, Alex thought.

  Certainly, she needed to cool off.

  * * *

  Two hours into the reception, the night was broken up by more speeches from the mayor, who thanked Jasper for hosting the event, and Wesley Inc. and Leviathan Industries for sponsoring the muralist and festival.

  Alex had waited all night to find a moment alone with Neve. But the most popular woman in the room had held court all night. Maybe I can speak to her after the mayor’s acknowledgments, Alex thought.

  She was also more than a little curious to chat with Montgomery. He’d seemed interested in her, and she wanted to know why. She’d looked for him earlier but couldn’t find him. Now he was standing in the back of the room with Dylan.

  Alex faced the front as the mayor called out to Neve to join him onstage to take the proverbial bow, but he couldn’t find her. Chuckling, the mayor said she must be in the powder room and asked the gathered group to please offer their gratitude for the mural when they saw her.

  The crowd applauded, and the mayor directed everyone to return to enjoying the food and drink. Alex still hadn’t had a chance to talk to Celeste. She hoped her friend was okay. She didn’t see her. Or Jasper. Perhaps they were talking, and hopefully resolving their issues. And then she saw her, making her way through the crowd and back toward Jasper’s office. Alex made to follow her, when a hand grabbed her from behind.

  It was Minka, finally returned from chatting with her friends. “I got an earful from the Preservation Society.”

  Alex grinned. “What have you just volunteered for?” She tried to keep her eye on Celeste, but she disappeared down the hallway, so Alex turned back to her cousin.

  Minka’s eyebrows shot up, and she lowered her voice to a whisper. “Maybe a protest.”

  “Of what?” Minka had Alex’s full attention now. She’d find Celeste after the party.

  “Leviathan Industries.”

  “You mean the company donating thousands of dollars for our mermaid festival?”

  Minka shook her head ruefully. “The very same. A member of the society discovered that Leviathan makes their money in deep sea mining. What if that’s why they’re here? What if that’s why they’re donating money to our festival? So the mayor will approve mining off our coasts?” Minka’s voice rose in panic, and Alex could tell the group had done their work riling her up.

  Alex searched the room, looking for the CEO of Leviathan Industries. First, she found Jasper, his bow tie crooked. He was speaking to Cressida. Then she found him—Montgomery Blue. He was talking to the mayor, and he looked quite friendly. She and Minka exchanged glances. “I’m sure—”

  A shriek pierced the room, and the violinist, surprised by the noise, made a screeching noise with his bow.

  There was a moment of eerie silence, and then everyone turned to look toward the source of the scream.

  The fast gait of heels clicking on tile could be heard in the silence.

  Someone was running.

  And then Celeste appeared at the end of the “Staff Only” hall, her hands slick with something wet and bright red.

>   Eyes stretched with fear, she looked around the room. “Someone call 911. There’s been a murder!”

  Chapter Six

  Jack finally made an appearance.

  But Alex couldn’t dwell on how relieved she was that he’d made it. After discovering a body, Celeste needed her. After the police had been called, and her hands washed of blood, Celeste sat with her hands covering her face. Someone had wrapped a suit jacket around her shoulders while she cried uncontrollably.

  Alex had wanted to run down that hall and see who was hurt and if she could help in any way, but it had been Dylan who grabbed her by the shoulders, sat her down beside Celeste, and told her not to move, that she didn’t want to see what was behind that door.

  It was Bryce and he who walked down the hall and discovered that Neve was the victim. He’d returned after a moment to tell her and Celeste that there was nothing to be done. She’d been found in Jasper’s office, lying on the floor, blood spilling from her wound. It appeared that someone had smashed a heavy object against her head and left her. She was dead, and there was nothing Mundane or Magical to be done.

  Alex was numb, her arm around Celeste’s shoulders. She wasn’t sure what to think. Neve was dead? The woman who’d promised to tell her things she needed to know? And Celeste? Had she done it? Alex couldn’t unsee the woman’s bloodied hands, and she was afraid to ask. Afraid to hear the answer. So she said nothing, just held Celeste when she curled into her arms and cried.

  After the crime scene techs arrived, and the area was blocked off, fingerprints were being taken, and security footage had been recovered, Jack approached them. He took Alex’s hand and gestured for her to follow him to a quiet corner.

  “Coroner’s on the way. You okay?”

  She nodded, unable to speak. Then shook her head. “I’m not sure. I’d just met her, but we were supposed to talk tonight. She was just here and alive …” Her voice trailed off, and she realized tears were rolling down her cheeks.

  Jack used his thumbs to gently wipe the tears away. “I’m sorry this happened, but we will find out who did it.” He looked around the museum. “No one is leaving until everyone provides a statement and we check alibis.”

  She shivered involuntarily, and he rubbed her bare arms to warm her.

  “I know you’re observant. Did you see anything I should be aware of?”

  Alex gulped, wondering what she should say. She didn’t know who’d done it, but she certainly knew who’d had motive and possibly opportunity. Where had Celeste been when Neve was attacked? No, she couldn’t divulge anything she knew to Jack, not until she knew for herself that Celeste wasn’t involved. “I didn’t see anything.”

  He peered into her eyes and rubbed her cheek tenderly with a finger. “It’s my job to know when people are lying,” he said, his voice low. “Remember?”

  Sighing inwardly, Alex gritted her teeth. Like her father, who’d been a police detective before he made chief, Jack prided himself on being able to assess a person’s honesty based on body language, years of experience and good ol’ instinct. She didn’t want to lie to him, but she had to for Celeste’s sake. “I didn’t see anything, Jack.”

  His gaze was penetrating as he stared into her eyes. And then he blinked. “Okay. I believe you.”

  But he was lying. She’d learned a lot from her father too. And she could see in in his eyes. He didn’t believe her either. They were both lying.

  And that wasn’t good.

  * * *

  Police officers were stationed at each exit, and the visitors were lined up to provide their names, contact information, and location during the time of murder. Celeste had found the body, so Jack was beginning with her first. Alex had asked Celeste if she wanted her to stay with her, and Celeste had agreed.

  Jack had set up in another staff office for interviews. He sat behind the desk, leaning forward, recorder on and pen hovering over paper.

  Alex sat on the other side of the desk and beside Celeste, holding her hand. She gave her an encouraging smile. “Tell him what you told me.”

  Celeste took a deep shuddering breath before she began. “I was looking for Jasper, and I didn’t see him in the exhibits area, so I thought I’d check his office.”

  Jack nodded. “Okay.”

  Celeste glanced at Alex before going on. “I knocked on his door. There was no answer. So I opened it, walked inside, and saw her—Neve—on the floor.” She heaved like she might throw up, covering her mouth just in case. But she didn’t, just gave Alex a sickly smile. “At first, I thought she was just hurt, so I ran to her and lifted her head up—”

  “That’s how you got blood all over your hands?” Jack asked. Celeste nodded, unable to speak. Jack’s face was grim. “First time seeing a dead body, I imagine?” She nodded again and looked at Alex, hopelessness washing over her face.

  Alex squeezed her hand reassuringly.

  “And you cleaned your hands?” he asked her.

  Celeste looked at me, eyes wide. But she nodded. “They were—I was—” She stopped as a wave of nausea seemed to rock her.

  “Where were you before you decided to go look for Mr. Collins?”

  “Um … here and there, moving around the museum, talking to people, looking at exhibits … I went outside for air for a time.”

  Jack nodded, taking notes as she spoke. “Did you argue with your boyfriend earlier today?” He looked up then, one eyebrow raised.

  Celeste looked at Alex.

  Alex telepathed, Just tell him the truth. If you didn’t do it, you have nothing to fear.

  But instead, her eyes widened as if she had everything to fear.

  Uh-oh, Alex thought.

  Celeste turned to Jack, her cheeks trembling with the effort to smile. “Someone told you?”

  He referred to his notes. “Several witnesses recalled you getting upset with your boyfriend about his relationship with the deceased. And at least one person overheard you arguing?” His gaze sharpened. “Do you have anything else to add?”

  She shook her head. “It’s all true.” Her voice thickened with emotion. “But I didn’t—I wouldn’t … kill her. I’d kill him maybe.” She laughed harshly. “But not her.”

  Don’t say things like that, Alex sent to her. Jack doesn’t have the best sense of humor during investigations.

  “You’ll need to account for your time tonight. The officer at the door will take your statement.”

  “Of course,” Celeste said, beginning to rise.

  As she did, Alex noticed her heels for the first time. They were encrusted with dirt. Why were her heels covered in soil?

  Jack caught the direction of her eyes and looked down too, with only a twitch of his eyebrow as indication that he noticed.

  Alex took a deep breath, hoping it was nothing.

  “Why are you shoes dirty?” he asked, pointing to her heels.

  She laughed, though nothing was funny. “I told you. I went outside for some air.” She smiled at him, almost looking relieved. “Are we done?”

  “Just one moment,” Jack said. “Do you have reason to believe Jasper was having an intimate relationship with the victim?” He narrowed his eyes, waiting.

  Celeste looked at Alex, her face transformed into an expression of pain as she returned Jack’s gaze. “Maybe. I don’t know. I hope not.”

  “Are you done with her? She’s had a big shock tonight. I’d like to get her home.”

  “Of course. But, Miss Thomas, please don’t leave town. We’ll probably need to speak again.”

  With one arm around her shoulder for support, Alex guided Celeste out of the room. She looked over her shoulder to Jack, who was watching their progress down the hallway. And then she heard Jack call to an officer: “Get Jasper Collins in here!”

  * * *

  Once Alex had asked Minka to take Celeste home, she permitted herself a moment to breathe. Many patrons had been allowed to leave after talking to the police, and the museum wasn’t as crowded.

  She
loitered by the crime scene, wondering what she could see. When the police officer guarding the door stepped away, she poked her head into the office. There was a desk piled high with papers, folders, and books. Walls covered in framed degrees, a few photographs of Jasper with others, a globe on a back table, and souvenirs from trips around the world. White fingerprint powder covered every flat service, and yellow police tape crisscrossed the threshold.

  Alex saw an outline of where Neve’s body had fallen. She appeared to have been standing on the side of the desk where Jasper sat before she was assailed. Alex gazed around the room, wondering what had happened.

  There was a tap on her shoulder, and she jumped.

  “You can’t be here,” Kamila said, her face somber.

  “I know—I just wanted a look around.”

  Her cousin crossed the tape and looked at Alex from the other side. “There’s nothing you can do here. Go home. Get some rest. I’ll stop by in the morning with an update.”

  “Sure, okay.” Alex backed away from the scene, still not believing Neve had been murdered. She bumped into Pepper, whose face lit up.

  “Can you believe my luck! I’m the only representative of the media here. If I can get the scoop on this—”

  “Pepper,” Alex admonished her, placing a steadying hand on her arm. “Surely you’re not happy there’s been a second murder in Bellamy Bay?”

  “Of course not, but someone has to tell the story. And why not me? It’s my job after all. And actually, this makes three since you’ve been here. There’s a John Doe who was found a few days ago. But it doesn’t seem very interesting. Just some software engineer who partied too hard—a drug overdose I think.”

  Alex thought for a moment. “Jack mentioned that to me. At the time, the victim was still unidentified. But a drug overdose? Why was he in the woods?”

  Pepper shrugged. “Maybe whoever he was partying with got scared and dumped the body. But there’s no glamour to that story. Former frat boy ODs. His wife came to the newspaper office, wanting us to do a story about how the police weren’t doing enough. She also told me that the day after he died, she discovered his laptop was missing. But I followed up with Jack, and he said that either she’s lying about the missing laptop to get them to make the case more than an overdose, or it’s unrelated.”